Record-Breaking Momentum: Inside Phillip's Landmark New York Watch Auction: XV

When a watch auction house crosses the $25 million low estimate threshold in the United States, it signals a major shift in collector appetite. On December 5 and 6, 2026, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will host The New York Watch Auction: XV, officially marking the highest-value watch auction ever staged on American soil. Co-led by Paul Boutros and Isabella Proia, the sprawling catalogue avoids the crutch of a single-owner consignment, instead curating a cross-category powerhouse.

Here is a closer look at the standout timepieces driving the conversation ahead of the public exhibition opening on December 2:

F.P.Journe Tourbillon Souverain Souscription No. 13

Headlining the independent watchmaking narrative is Lot 10, estimated in excess of $1,000,000. As one of the first 20 pieces made in 1999 to finance the launch of François-Paul Journe’s brand using Abraham-Louis Breguet’s historic subscription model, this platinum tourbillon represents the literal genesis of modern independent horology. Featuring a hand-finished yellow gold dial, shallow caseback engravings, and its individual souscription number stamped on the face, it is an immaculate piece of living history.

F.P.Journe Tourbillon Souverain "Sincere Fine Watches" 50th Anniversary Edition

Lot 35 showcases the rarest tier of Journe production: an 18K pink gold 40mm Tourbillon Souverain, an early TN with 04 case, created as one of only five pieces for Sincere Fine Watches' anniversary. What elevates this watch is its mesmerizing, shifting black mother-of-pearl dial, which catches the light with iridescent colorations, offering collectors a visually captivating masterwork.

Patek Philippe Reference 1518

Dating to 1950, Lot 25 is a superb yellow gold example of the world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph. Estimated between $500,000 and $1,000,000, this reference 1518 retains its original factory finishing, thick lugs, and vibrant hard enamel graphics. Adding a layer of historical intrigue is its fascinating Latin American provenance, having once belonged to Mexican Army general and politician Eduardo Hernández Cházaro.

Patek Philippe Reference 2499

Fresh to the market after more than four decades with the same family, Lot 152 is a third-series Reference 2499 in yellow gold from 1972 (estimated $500,000 - $1,000,000). What makes this piece uniquely daring is its custom configuration: an 18K yellow gold integrated braided bracelet and sapphire crystal fitted by Patek Philippe at the owner’s request during a 1988 factory service, creating a configuration unlike any other 2499 to come to auction.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Reference 6241

For vintage Rolex purists, Lot 134 represents the holy grail of exotic-dialed Daytonas. Estimated at $450,000 - $900,000, this 18K yellow gold reference 6241 (produced from 1966 to 1969) is exceptionally rare in gold. It features a bi-color "Paul Newman" champagne dial with large "T Swiss T" designation, French caseback hallmarks, and a correct Mk 1 bezel, preserved in stunning original condition.

With the exhibition opening in New York on December 2, The New York Watch Auction: XV proves that the modern watch market thrives at the intersection of independent ingenuity and time-honored vintage provenance.

Tata CLiQ Luxury, India's premier luxury lifestyle platform, has partnered with Jay’s Watch Store to host the second edition of The Luxe Watch Auction.

On the evening of 10 November 2026, collectors and watchmaking connoisseurs gathered at the Hôtel Président in Geneva for the awards ceremony of the Concours d’Élégance Horlogère.