Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is thrilled to welcome you to The Geneva Sessions, Spring 2025, online auction, running from 12:00 PM CET, Wednesday, 5 March, to 2:00 PM CET, Wednesday, 12 March. Featuring 70 different high-end luxury wristwatches, the sale covers everything from A. Lange & Söhne and F.P. Journe to Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, including watches featured below.
Lot 13: A 2009 Patek Philippe Chronograph Ref. 5070 in 18k White Gold
Estimate: CHF 40,000 - 80,000
Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant
When I started preparing for this, I gathered all these notes, only to be told, "This isn’t a History Channel show—you need to explain why you actually like it." So here’s my take. We’ve all been to those high-end restaurants, the ones with one or two Michelin stars, where the food is intricate and complex—maybe even a little confusing. And yet, after all that, you find yourself craving something simple and perfect, like your dad’s grilled steak, your grandmother’s vegetable soup, or your wife’s perfectly dressed salad. Sometimes, less is more.
That’s exactly why I chose this watch—the 5070. You can read all about its caliber, its production history, and the different case metals in our online catalog. But here’s what really matters: find me a watch that offers more value today, especially in a world where luxury sports watches are going for double or triple the price of this chronograph. Find me a watch with a more timeless design, better legibility, a more comfortable fit, superior craftsmanship, and truer value in the eyes of a passionate collector. My pick? The 5070 in white gold.
Lot 32: A 2017 A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon in Platinum
Estimate: CHF 130,000 - 260,000
Alexandre Ghotbi, Head Of Watches, Continental Europe And EME
My specialist pick for this Geneva Online Sale is the Lange Datograph Perpetual Calendar with Tourbillon.
Back in 2001, I visited the Lange manufacture for the first time, and it was a complete eye-opener. It was actually my first-ever visit to a watchmaking workshop, and seeing the craftsmanship firsthand—the finishing, the assembly, the design—was absolutely incredible. The hand engraving on the balance cocks just blew my mind. At the time, the Datograph had been out for two years, but I had never seen one in person. When I finally held it in my hands, I was in awe. The movement was like a three-dimensional architectural masterpiece, with finishing that was simply out of this world. And the colors—German silver plates, yellow gold chatons, red rubies, blue screws—it was a true technicolor experience.
That’s exactly why I chose the Lange Datograph Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon. It embodies this deeply romantic vision I have of Lange, while also being an absolute technical marvel. It has everything that makes the Datograph such a phenomenal watch, plus the perpetual calendar, and then there’s the extra detail I love—the black dial with black date disks, a small but thoughtful touch.
And of course, there’s the tourbillon, discreetly placed on the back. Not only does this keep the dial clean, but it also adds a layer of personal enjoyment—if you know, you know. It’s a quiet luxury, with the superbly crafted tourbillon beating away on the reverse side. The case, the design, the heft, the overall look—everything about this watch makes it a true winner. Honestly, it’s something I’d love to own myself.
Lot 20: A Circa 1995 Alain Silberstein Krono Medio Saphir
Estimate: CHF 5,000 - 10,000
Tiffany To, Head of Sale
The watch I chose for my specialist pick in our online sale is an Alain Silberstein Chronograph. At first glance, it’s a charming timepiece, bursting with primary colors—yellow, red, and blue. But beyond its playful aesthetic, this watch holds a significant place in watchmaking history.
Sapphire crystal is now widely used by major brands like Hublot and Richard Mille, seen as avant-garde, stylish, and highly sought after. What many don’t realize is that Alain Silberstein was the first to introduce a wristwatch made of this material back in 1997. At first glance, it might seem like any other transparent material, but in reality, it’s rock crystal—a true pioneer in shaping modern watch design.
Beyond its historical importance, this piece perfectly embodies the brand’s signature whimsical design, featuring a beautiful Frederic Piguet movement. To me, it’s a watch that not only represents the bold, creative spirit of the 1990s but also stands as a milestone that continues to influence watchmaking today.
Lot 40: A 2016 Patek Philippe Regulator Ref. 5235G-001 in 18k White Gold
Estimate: CHF 20,000 - 40,000
Marcello de Marco, Specialist, Business Development Associate
I’ll admit it right away—I’m biased. If you’ve ever seen me auctioneering, you’ve probably noticed that I often wear this watch. From the moment it was released, I was absolutely fascinated by it. Technically, it’s incredible, incorporating three Advanced Research elements—the silicon wheel, spiral, and anchor. The movement was entirely new, designed specifically to fit this case perfectly. It wasn’t mass-produced either; early production issues kept the numbers low between 2013 and 2015, and before long, it was discontinued in favor of a rose gold variation. While the rose gold version is undeniably eye-catching, I think it lacks the subtle, understated elegance of the white gold model.
Aesthetically, it’s a masterpiece of symmetry. As a regulator, it features two subsidiary dials—one for the hours at 12 o’clock and running seconds also at 12—with a single central hand for the minutes. People often ask me, “Is it easy to read?” And my answer is always yes—one of the most legible watches I’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing. The calendar windows are arranged in a distinctive Y-shape, and the case design, derived from the 3448, features sharp angles, modern brushed sides, and a polished bezel. At 40mm, it has an incredible presence on the wrist—neither too big nor too small.
Honestly, I love this watch. I truly believe it’s a sleeper, and only time will tell if I’m right. But even if I’m not, it’s such a joy to wear every day that I’d make this choice a hundred times over.
Lot 8: A 2024 Romain Gauthier C in Titanium with Salmon Dial
Estimate: CHF 20,000 - 40,000
Logan Baker, Senior Editorial Manager
Now, this is a watch that flips the script on what an independent, high-watchmaking sports watch should be. It’s modern, sculptural, meticulously hand-finished, and somehow… still under the radar.
First, the case. 41mm wide, just 9.55mm thick, Grade 5 titanium throughout. That means it’s lightweight but still has that premium, tactile feel. And this bracelet? Romain Gauthier’s first-ever metal bracelet. It’s integrated, ultra-thin, and designed to disappear on your wrist. And it works. It’s almost eerie how comfortable this thing is.
Then, there’s the dial. Salmon dials have a cult following, and for good reason. They add warmth, character, and in this case, a serious dose of exclusivity.
Everything about the C’s design is angular, architectural. That bezel? Sharp, faceted, unlike anything else in Romain Gauthier’s catalog. And the caseband isn’t just a slab of metal—it’s sculpted, grooved, finished in a mix of satin and polished surfaces, catching light at every turn.
Now, flip it over, and this is where things get seriously interesting. The in-house, hand-wound movement is also made of Grade 5 titanium—something you rarely see because it’s notoriously hard to work with. But here, it serves a purpose: it’s lightweight, shock-resistant, and frankly, it just looks incredible.
And this isn’t just any movement—it’s classic Vallée de Joux watchmaking, but through a 21st-century lens. Double-beveled bridges, a hand-engraved dimpled texture, and Gauthier’s signature S-slot screws. Every little detail here is intentional.
But let’s talk about one of my favorite features: the stop-seconds mechanism. Most watches use a simple lever to stop the balance when you pull the crown. Not here. Romain Gauthier does it differently—with a snail cam. When you pull the crown, it stops the balance, but when you push it back in? The cam rotates and gives the balance an extra push to get it going again. It’s one of those tiny, brilliant details that makes this watch special.
The Romain Gauthier C in titanium with a salmon dial is the kind of watch that rewards the wearer. It’s not loud. It’s not showy. But every time you glance at your wrist, you’ll notice another little detail—a polished bevel here, a sculpted groove there.
You can view the complete catalog for the Phillips Geneva Sessions, Spring 2025, Online Auction, 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
In-Depth: Inside The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon
The Endless Allure of Blue Dials in Watchmaking
Affordable Independent Watches in the Phillips Geneva Sessions, Spring 2025, Online Auction