Our final live auction of the spring 2024 season is here. The PHILLIPS New York Watch Auction: XI takes place on December 7 and 8, at our New York headquarters. The auction includes more than 175 of the world's finest watches – the following are the top selections from members of our New York-based watch department.
Estimate: USD $150,000 - 300,000
Doug Escribano, Senior International Specialist
Mechanical craftsmanship is the foundation of any horological venture. From early time-only clock towers, to 19th century grand complicated pocket watches, and 21st century wristwatches with minute repeating mechanisms or double tourbillons movements, the workmanship to create these masterpieces is skilled and highly technical. However, the artistic side, from case design to adornment, can be just as important. Lot 56 a highly important and unique yellow gold Patek Philippe pocket watch with miniature enamel by Anita Porchet exemplifies the finesse of both the watchmaker and the enamellist.
Part of the famed brand’s Rare Handcrafts collection the pocket watch showcases a representation of Henri Rousseau’s “Fight Between a Tiger and Buffalo” as masterfully reimaged by Anita Porchet. She is celebrated by watch collectors for her artistic creativity and timeless elegance. The combat is skillfully rendered in a lush multicolored enamel background. There is exquisite detailing from the hair patterns on the two beasts to the delicate nature of the fauna surrounding them. The natural world is vibrant and alive in Porchet’s rendition, creating a captivating three-dimensional world.
Lot 57: A 2012 Patek Philippe Chronograph Ref. 3670A-001
Estimate: USD $500,000 - 1,000,000
Jaclyn Li, Consultant
The reference 3670A, to me, is a testament to Patek Philippe’s mastery—venturing into something entirely new and unexpected yet doing so with an unmistakable Patek touch. Discovering 16 vintage movements hidden in an antique wooden chest, preserved over the years like a secret treasure waiting to be found, feels straight out of a horological fairytale—a story any watch lover would relish. Above all, Patek didn’t just restore these movements; they elevated them with ref. 3670A by encasing the movements within an exquisite stainless-steel case with a beautiful monochrome dial design that invites modernity.
Lot 54: A 1939 Patek Philippe Split-Seconds Chronograph Ref. 1436 'Hialeah Park'
Estimate: USD $200,000 - 400,000
Ben Kramer, Photographer
My specialist pick for New York Watch Auction: XI is Lot 54, the Patek Philippe Ref. 1436. The reference 1436 is a remarkable achievement, notable for being the brand’s first serially produced split-seconds chronograph wristwatch. Following the success of the chronograph reference 130, there was demand for a watch that could time two events simultaneously. Thus, the split-seconds mechanism would be particularly valuable for sports and scientific applications. This specific 1436 is especially fascinating because it is likely unique.
It is a very early example that features Breguet numerals and a special inscription for American jockey Wendall Eads, recognized as the leading apprentice at Hialeah Park in 1941. This attribution attests to a marriage of form and function, and emphasizes the importance of the split-seconds mechanism in racing. As an admirer of old inscriptions and engravings, I am completely enamored with this lot. Already a rare reference, with only around 120 examples ever produced in yellow gold, this 1436 is further treasured for its provenance. With its sophisticated craftsmanship and historical significance, underscored by its connection to a landmark year in horse racing, this watch is highly collectible and extraordinary.
Lot 23: A 1968 Ulysse Nardin Chronograph Ref. 7536-2
Estimate: USD $20,000 - 40,000
Logan Baker, Senior Editorial Manager
Here is a fascinating gem from the mid-century golden age of complicated wristwatches: the Ulysse Nardin chronograph reference 7536-2. This piece blends the DNA of two of its era's most iconic sports watches, creating something unexpectedly remarkable. This watch is particularly intriguing because Ulysse Nardin wasn’t typically known for producing chronographs like this, so its creation was a bold departure for the brand.
Take a closer look, and you’ll see the influence of legends. The bezel design channels the Omega Speedmaster, while the dial and layout—crafted by Singer, the same renowned maker—mirror the Rolex Daytona. Add to that a rock-solid Valjoux 72-based movement, and all these coveted elements come together in a case that’s subtly larger than the Daytona by just one millimeter.
The example we’re discussing here has a dial that’s developed a gorgeous, rich chocolate brown patina through a process known as “tropicalization.” Its bezel shows only a light, graceful fade, adding to its vintage charm. This reference has previously earned recognition on the auction stage, including appearances at two Phillips thematic sales—the standout being the START-STOP-RESET auction in 2016.
What truly sets this watch apart is its condition. The lugs feature wide, bold chamfers, and the caseback engraving remains crisp and clear—a testament to its careful preservation. Unpolished and fresh to the market, this timepiece is presented in exceptional condition, making it a dream acquisition for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
You can learn more, place a bid, and view the entire Phillips New York Watch Auction: XI catalog right here.
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.
Recommended Reading
Up-and-Coming Independent Watchmakers To Know in the Geneva Watch Auction: XX
Specialists' Picks: The Geneva Watch Auction: XX
A Round-Up of 14 Manual-Wind Rolex Daytonas in the Geneva Watch Auction: XX