Patek Philippe
Sold €156,000
Rolex
Sold €32,500
>
Omega Chronograph
Sold €18,200

Watches

‘The world of watchmaking is of great richness, combining history, art, and technique. Over the centuries and through innovations, watches have adapted to our lifestyles. It is always a thrill to discover timepieces that have been carefully preserved for years. It’s a real pleasure to pass them on to new collectors who will write a new page in their history.’

— Claire Hofmann

The watch auction market

In the world of watch auctions, Paris has joined renowned locations like Geneva and Hong Kong. The capital of luxury attracts a broad audience of collectors, and requests for appraisals are steadily increasing. Our auctions showcase the rarest and most prestigious names in the global watchmaking industry, such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, Audemars Piguet, and more. These brands, which represent 10% of the market in volume, command the highest bids at Maison Aguttes.

Over the years and through numerous auctions, the auction house Aguttes has built privileged relationships with collectors, watchmakers, and professionals in the art market. Our teams understand their preferences, the watches they seek, and the gaps they wish to fill. These timepieces are dispersed during Online Prestige sales, which offer excellent visibility. This auctions channel has opened the department to a new dynamic clientele of private buyers and high-level collectors. The Watches department also benefits from the powerful buyer network of the entire Luxury and Lifestyle division, particularly in collaboration with the Collectors’ Cars, Fine Wines and Jewelry departments, where synergies are evident. For example, iconic models with a strong masculine appeal have been featured in ‘La Vente Officielle’ organized alongside the Tour Auto. Recently, the collection ‘Une histoire du temps’ revealed to the world 80 wearable watches and clocks, tracing 500 years of watchmaking history. This auction totaled 1.47 million euros and further expanded the network of buyers.

Watchmaking Excellence

While historically the watch auctions have been concentrated in Geneva and Hong Kong, it is in Paris, the capital of luxury and a stronghold of the art market, where watch collectors find the seriousness of expertise and transparency, essential elements for their purchases. Our specialist performs meticulous work to ensure the authentication and detailed description of your watches, including movements, hallmarks, serial numbers, and working condition.

The Watches department curates thematic sales around watchmaking, featuring pocket watches, chronographs, diving watches, desk clocks, wristwatches for men and women, both antique and modern, in gold or stainless steel. We also organize sales of specific collections, such as ‘Jaeger LeCoultre & Vacheron Constantin’ or ‘Pocket Watches, Pocket Watches’.

The great watch brands

Our auctions showcase the rarest and most prestigious names in the world of luxury watchmaking, including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, IWC, Panerai, Cartier, Zenith, Piaget, and Breitling.

Iconic watches

Certain models have contributed to the reputation of the aforementioned watch houses, such as the ‘Royal Oak’, recognizable by its octagonal-shaped dial, designed by Gerald Genta for Audemars Piguet. Another example is the ‘Reverso’, created in 1931 by René Chauvot for Jaeger LeCoultre, allowing polo players to protect the watch crystal by flipping the case.

Rolex watches continue to enjoy enduring success and achieve some of the highest results in auctions. Over the 20th century, Rolex has developed numerous iconic models, such as the Oyster watch, created in 1926, the Rolex GMT Master designed in 1954 for Pan Am pilots, the Comex ‘Submariner’, and the Comex ‘Sea-Dweller’, intended to accompany divers into the depths. This unique watchmaking craftsmanship makes these timepieces highly sought after by luxury watch enthusiasts and collectors.

Good to know

Our Watches department holds 8 ‘Online Prestige’ auction per year. These sales attract a diverse group of buyers, including young collectors, seasoned collectors, investors, businessmen, and professionals. Our specialists travel to different regions and representation offices to provide free appraisals for your watches and timepieces.

We recommend following our auction calendar, and we are at your disposal to estimate your assets and offer professional expertise and advice for selling or investment purposes.