The recently concluded Geneva Watch Auction: XXI by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo achieved exceptional results. The total sale value was CHF 43.41 million, with the top 10 lots achieving CHF 18.63 million. Five timepieces sold for more than CHF 1 million, and three for more than CHF 2 million. 188 lots sold out of 192.
“The strength of the market was on full display this weekend, with passionate bidding and exceptional results for timepieces spanning over 150 years of watchmaking – from wristwatches, pocket watches to clocks from Switzerland, Germany, England, and France. These results reaffirm the enduring appeal of great watchmaking. But beyond the numbers, what continues to define these moments is the spirit of friendship among our team and the genuine bond we share with our collectors around the world. This is a community built not just on horology, but on trust, shared history, and a love for craftsmanship. We’re honoured to be part of it.” – Alexandre Ghotbi, Deputy Chairman & Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East and Tiffany To, Senior International Watch Specialist and Head of Sale.
We look at three exceptional timepieces.
Lot 15
Konstantin Chaykin – ThinKing & PalanKing
Estimate: CHF 350,000 – CHF 700,000: Sold For: CHF 508,000
A creation by renowned Russian independent watchmaker and his namesake brand – Konstantin Chaykin, the ThinKing & PalanKing is exceptional because it is the thinnest mechanical watch in the world. It’s thickness is 1.65 mm, and it weighs 13 grams (minus the strap). The ThinKing is made from a special nickel alloy, and PalanKing – it’s automatic carrying base – is made from titanium. The latter is a case upon which you can place the ThinKing for extra rigidity, automatic winding, and crown setting, and takes the total thickness to 5.40 mm (still thinner than most watches in the world). Without the PalanKing, it can be wound by a special key. Measuring 40 mm in diameter, it is powered by manual winding calibre K.23-0 which has 51 jewels and a 32-hour power reserve. It features a dual balance system.
Konstantin Chaykin does not have the multi-million dollar budgets of larger brands such as BVLGARI and Piaget who have considerable expertise in ultra-thin watches. Furthermore, being a Russian brand, they do not have a local ecosystem of watch industry suppliers such as those that benefit the Swiss, Germans, and Japanese.
The very existence of this watch – the final prototype of the ThinKing & PalanKing – is reason enough to celebrate and support independent watchmaking from all parts of the world. It proves that brilliance, creativity, and determination have no limits.
Lot 18
F.P. Journe X THA for Breguet – Pendule Sympathique N°1
Estimate: In excess of CHF 1,000,000: Sold For: CHF 5,505,000
Breguet commissioned François-Paul Journe (before he founded his namesake brand) a co-founder at THA, short for Technique Horlogère Appliquée, to recreate Abraham-Louis Breguet’s (10.05.1747 – 17.09.1823) original Pendule Sympathique, conceived by him in 1795. The Pendule Sympathique “was a system that allowed a paired pocket watch to be automatically wound, set, and adjusted by its accompanying clock.” A.L. Breguet made eleven Pendule Sympathiques, “each a mechanical marvel.”
Almost 200 years later, Mr. Journe along with talented watchmakers Denis Flageollet (De Bethune fame), Dominique Mouret, and Vianney Halter (who joined later) took on the near impossible task of recreating and reinterpreting this forgotten masterpiece for the 1991 “Art of Breguet” exhibition and auction. The Pendule Sympathique N°1 was sold to a buyer at Antiquorum’s Breguet auction and has reappeared again at auction for the first time in 34 years.
Is it a Journe or a Breguet? On 9th May, a day before the auction, Montres Journe SA (the brand) sent the following email to customers and all those on their mailing list (I received it too):
“We wish to inform you that neither Montres Journe SA nor François-Paul Journe will consider any requests for repairs to the Pendule Sympathique N°1, made by François-Paul Journe and THA for Breguet in 1991 and which will go on sale in Geneva on 10th May 2025 under the hammer of Phillips (lot no. 18). The winning bidder will have to contact the Breguet company.”
This might have dampened the spirits of potential bidders for this one-of-a-kind historical clock. One would imagine that Mr. Journe would be delighted to service his own creation after all these years (a valid argument). The next day at the auction, Mr. Journe was the winning bidder. He bought it for his upcoming museum. In all likelihood, Mr. Journe did try to reduce his competition with that email. I am happy it has gone to him rather than into a private collection, hidden away for several decades. Watch collectors and enthusiasts from across the world will be able to view this historically significant masterpiece, an example of Mr. Journe’s early work.
Please click here to read our article on the Pendule Sympathique N°1.
Lot 57
Vacheron Constantin – Ref. 6448 “Unique Piece”
Estimate: CHF 120,000 – CHF 240,000: Sold For: CHF 698,500
Founded in 1755 in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest continuously operating watchmaker in existence. They have lived through key historical events such as the American Independence (1776), French Revolution (1789 – 1799), inauguration of the Eiffel Tower (1889), Wright brothers first flight (1903), World War I (1914 – 1918), Charles Lindberg’s solo crossing of the Atlantic (1927), World War II (1939 – 1945), the beginning of the Cold War (1947), first man in space (1961) and on the moon (1969), fall of the Berlin Wall (1989), birth of the iPod (2001), and many others, happy and otherwise.
Vacheron Constantin celebrates its milestone 270th anniversary in 2025. As part of its 270th anniversary, Vacheron Constantin unveiled the Les Cabinotiers Solaria Ultra Grand Complication last month. With 41 complications it is the most complicated wristwatch ever made (until Vacheron Constantin or another brand breaks this record, which is bound to happen eventually). Just today, they unveiled the Overseas Grand Complication Openface, a watch that features a perpetual calendar, tourbillon, and minute repeater (our coverage coming soon).
As phenomenal as these modern grand complications are, it is worth travelling back in time to see what Vacheron Constantin was up to. In 1961, 64 years ago, they crafted grand complications, such as the minute repeating Ref. 6448 “Unique Piece.” It’s manual winding ultra-thin 13-ligne minute repeater movement with 29 jewels is housed in a 36.50 mm brushed platinum case with straight lugs and diamond hour-markers on the dial. It is one of only three made in 1961, each one unique.
According to Alexandre Ghotbi – “What sets it apart even more is the brushed platinum case. Not polished, brushed. It gives the watch a modern, almost stealthy elegance. Paired with the diamond markers, it pulls off this incredible balance of being flashy and low-key at the same time. The condition is spectacular. We knew this watch existed, but this is the first time anyone’s actually seen it. Fresh to the market, straight from the original owner’s family in Mexico. More than 60 years later, here it is in Geneva, 2025. And the sound? It’s mind-blowing. Platinum usually muffles repeaters, but this one sounds crisp, clear, and beautiful. Honestly, words don’t do it justice. You need to see it, hear it, experience it. It’s an absolute masterpiece — and one of my favourite timepieces of all time.”
The Ref. 6448 “Unique Piece” serves as a time capsule, showcasing Vacheron Constantin’s horological expertise and sublime craftsmanship from decades ago.
Please visit the Phillips website to see the full list and description of the exceptional timepieces sold.
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Watches
0
