PHILLIPS ANNOUNCES HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GENEVA WATCH AUCTION: XXIV
Sale on 7 & 8 November to feature an exceptionally rare Patek Philippe Ref. 1436 split-seconds chronograph in stainless steel and the only known Ref. 2497 signed by Gumbiner
A newly discovered Rolex Ref. 6062 “Stelline” comes to auction from its original owner in Japan
Two rare F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance wristwatches created for the brand’s Tokyo boutique and Les Ambassadeurs join unique creations by Roger Smith and Kari Voutilainen
GENEVA – 15 SEPTEMBER 2026 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will open its Fall 2026 live auction season in Geneva on 7 and 8 November with The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV, bringing together no fewer than 220 timepieces. The auction follows a record-breaking spring season for Phillips Watches, when its Geneva, Hong Kong, and New York sales realized more than US$235 million, with three watches selling for over US$10 million.
Among the highlights are a Patek Philippe Ref. 1436 split-seconds chronograph, one of only two known stainless steel examples to retain their original case-and-dial configuration; a Patek Philippe Ref. 2497 in yellow gold, bearing the only known Gumbiner retailer signature; and a remarkably preserved Rolex Ref. 6062 “Stelline” in yellow gold, newly discovered in Japan.
The sale also features Ferdinand Berthoud’s Marine Chronometer No. 46 from 1790; two rare F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance wristwatches created for the brand’s Tokyo boutique and retailer Les Ambassadeurs; a most probably unique flying tourbillon pocket watch by Richard Miklosch; and unique creations by Roger Smith and Kari Voutilainen.
Ahead of the sale, highlights from The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV will travel internationally, with presentations in Dubai, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, Riyadh, and London before returning to Geneva for the sale preview.
Lot 129 | ROLEX | Ref. 6062 “Stelline,” 18k Yellow Gold, Circa 1952
Estimate: CHF 600,000–1,200,000
Recently discovered in Japan and acquired from its original owner, this Ref. 6062 ranks among the best-preserved yellow gold examples of the reference to surface in recent years. It is fitted with the highly prized “Stelline” dial, named for its eight star-shaped hour markers. Launched in 1950, the automatic Ref. 6062 combines a triple calendar and moon-phase display within a waterproof Oyster case. The condition of this example is exceptional: its dial shows barely any signs of aging, retaining inky blue outer-calendar numerals and sharply defined day and month apertures, while the case retains its original lines, curves, and finishes. The original Super Oyster crown also remains in place.
Lot 20 | ROLEX | Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6241 “John Player Special,” 14k Yellow Gold, Circa 1969
Estimate: CHF 800,000–1,600,000
Among the rarest configurations of the manual-winding Daytona, the so-called “John Player Special” combines a yellow gold case with the contrasting black “Paul Newman” dial that gave the watch its later nickname. The present Ref. 6241 is rarer still in 14k yellow gold, a configuration associated with watches made for the American market. Its serial number, 2’084’348, falls within the same narrow range as several other known 14k “John Player Special” examples. The watch also carries an intriguing retail connection: its bracelet is stamped “V.C.A,” while an inventory number beneath the lug most likely corresponds to Van Cleef & Arpels. Last seen at auction in 2018, the watch retains a notably well-preserved dial.
Lot 16 | PATEK PHILIPPE | Ref. 2497, Retailed by Gumbiner, 18k Yellow Gold, 1953
Estimate: CHF 250,000–500,000
Introduced alongside the perpetual calendar chronograph Ref. 2499, the Ref. 2497 paired a perpetual calendar with center seconds in a larger, more robust case than its Ref. 1526 predecessor. Production remained limited: established scholarship records a combined 179 movements across the Ref. 2497 and its waterproof counterpart, the Ref. 2438/1, with some two thirds used for the Ref. 2497. Housed in a Wenger case, this well-preserved 1953 example stands out for its first-series dial, which bears the signature of Manhattan retailer Gumbiner, making it the only Ref. 2497 currently known with the retailer’s name. The signature is unusually positioned between the calendar apertures and the Patek Philippe signature.
Lot 95 | PATEK PHILIPPE | Ref. 1436, Stainless Steel, 1945
Estimate: CHF 2,000,000–4,000,000
Patek Philippe launched the Ref. 1436 in 1938 as its first serially produced split-seconds chronograph, with scholarship suggesting a total production of approximately 140 examples over some 33 years. Stainless steel examples are exceptionally rare: only two are currently known to retain both their original steel cases and original dials, each with a different configuration. Made in 1945, the present watch features a silvered dial with applied steel hour markers and a tachymeter scale. The crown itself acts as the split-seconds pusher. Its remarkably preserved case retains thick lugs and original proportions, with no service marks inside the caseback. An Extract from the Archives confirms its production in 1945 and subsequent sale in 1949.
Lot 205 | PATEK PHILIPPE | World Time Ref. 605HU “North America,” Cloisonné Enamel Dial, 18k Yellow Gold, 1950
Estimate: CHF 300,000–600,000
Production of Patek Philippe’s Ref. 605HU began in 1937, with the world-time pocket watch offered predominantly with metal dials and, far more rarely, cloisonné enamel dials depicting maps and other motifs. A little over a dozen yellow gold examples with cloisonné enamel dials are currently known, including just five depicting North America and a palm tree. The present example’s enamel disc bears both the watch’s full movement number and the “LC” monogram of Louis Cottier, inventor of the world-time system, who supervised production of these watches and handmade their hands. A Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirms its production with a North America cloisonné enamel dial in 1950 and subsequent sale in 1957.
Lot 61 | RICHARD MIKLOSCH | Flying Tourbillon Pocket Watch, Silver, Circa 1985
Estimate: CHF 300,000–600,000
Richard Miklosch is a little-known but fascinating figure in modern independent watchmaking. A math teacher, Miklosch developed his horological knowledge in his spare time, making precision watches using traditional workshop equipment and manufacturing almost every component himself. His work went on to influence watchmakers including Kari Voutilainen. Only 14 Miklosch pocket watches are currently known – 11 tourbillons and three chronometers, each different. This most probably unique example combines a flying tourbillon with an Earnshaw-type detent escapement and a regulator-style grainé dial. The pared-back movement architecture leaves little visible apart from the large tourbillon, barrel, and lozenge-shaped bridge. Miklosch’s tourbillon carriages alone could take four to five months to construct, followed by another month of finishing.
Lot 91 | FERDINAND BERTHOUD | La Montre à Longitude Verticale No. 46, Brass, 1790
Estimate: CHF 100,000–200,000
Completed in 1790, Ferdinand Berthoud’s Marine Chronometer No. 46 dates from a formative period in precision marine timekeeping. Constructed by Berthoud’s pupil Vincent Martin to his specifications, it was designed to be versatile, with its detachable gimballed mounting allowing it to be used at sea, while the chronometer itself could also serve as a portable or desk timekeeper. Its technical features include a detached pivoted detent escapement, fusée with maintaining power, anti-friction rollers, and Berthoud’s steel-and-copper temperature-compensation system. No. 46 is notable for the extent to which Berthoud documented it himself. The opening 22 pages of his Traité des Montres à Longitudes, published in 1792, are devoted to this chronometer, and he later selected it for the frontispiece of his Histoire de la Mesure du Temps of 1802. Leather-bound copies of both works accompany the lot.
Lot 7 | F.P. JOURNE | Chronomètre à Résonance “Régence,” Platinum, 2002
Estimate: CHF 1,000,000–2,000,000
Made for Swiss retailer Les Ambassadeurs, this early Chronomètre à Résonance was intended as part of a five-watch series, but only three hand-engraved “Régence à Losange” dials were produced – in white, yellow, and pink gold – and just two watches delivered. This example, No. 212/02, is the only one with a shiny pink gold dial. Its geometric pattern, inspired by French Régence decoration, required up to two days to engrave by hand. The watch pairs a 38mm platinum case with the early brass caliber 1499. It was exhibited by F.P. Journe in Geneva in 2020 for the 20th anniversary of the Chronomètre à Résonance and returns to auction after more than a decade.
Lot 161 | F.P. JOURNE | Chronomètre à Résonance Tokyo Boutique, Titanium, 2007
Estimate: CHF 400,000–800,000
Created for the second anniversary of F.P. Journe’s Tokyo boutique, this Chronomètre à Résonance is No. 2 of an edition of just 12 watches. Its 40mm titanium case and ruthenium-coated dial are set against pink gold crowns and hands, a combination found only on this anniversary series. Inside is the hand-wound pink gold caliber 1499.2, with two balances exploiting the resonance phenomenon that gave the model its name while allowing two independent time displays. The present watch is thought to be only the second example from the 12-piece Tokyo edition to appear at auction.
Lot 32 | ROGER SMITH | Series 1, 18k White and Pink Gold Unique Piece, 2020
Estimate: CHF 300,000–600,000
Fresh to the auction market, this unique Series 1 offers a markedly different interpretation of Roger Smith’s time-only wristwatch. Its white gold case is paired with a pink gold bezel and crown, while the anthracite engine-turned dial uses pink gold Eastern Arabic numerals and hands. Smith has indicated that he has made four watches with mixed-metal cases, but this is the only example combining white and pink gold. The watch is powered by Smith’s manually wound movement – incorporating the co-axial escapement developed by his mentor George Daniels – and is accompanied by a second anthracite dial with pink gold Roman numerals and a second set of hands. Accompanying documentation confirms the watch as a unique piece.
Lot 216 | VOUTILAINEN | Vingt-8 Inversé, Tantalum Unique Piece, 2020
Estimate: CHF 200,000–400,000
Introduced in 2019, the Vingt-8 Inversé turned Kari Voutilainen’s caliber 28 architecture around, placing much of the movement normally seen through the display back on the dial side. The re-engineering required an indirect gear train at the center to ensure that the hands continued to turn clockwise. The model went on to receive the Men’s Watch Prize at the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. Only 26 Vingt-8 Inversé watches were produced – 10 in tantalum, eight in titanium, and eight in platinum – before the reference was discontinued. The present tantalum example was commissioned by its original owner after the initial allocation had been filled. Its ring and hand colors were specified uniquely for the watch, and the movement is consequently engraved “1/1.”
The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV will take place on 7 & 8 November 2026 at the Hotel President in Geneva.
GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
DUBAI | 1–3 October | First Floor, Unit FF-269, Financial Center St, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai
NEW YORK | 14–16 October | Phillips, 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
SINGAPORE | 16–17 October | The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911
HONG KONG | 20–21 October | Phillips, 407 Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong
RIYADH | 20–21 October | Crown & Compass, QJ8R+64Q, Metro Boulevard, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519
LONDON | 22–24 October | Phillips, 30 Berkeley Square, London W1J 6EX
GENEVA | 4–7 November | Hotel President, Quai Wilson 47, 1211 Geneva
AUCTION DETAILS
The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV
Auction: 7 & 8 November 2026
Location: Hotel President, Quai Wilson 47, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland