Watches

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, Breitling, 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 in auction sales

The Aguttes auction house showcases vintage and sporty watches, including pieces of Haute Horlogerie and exceptional timepieces. The selection features the most prestigious names in luxury watchmaking, such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, IWC, Universal Genève, Panerai, Cartier, Zenith, Piaget, and Breitling.

The department organizes thematic sales focused on horology, including pocket watches, chronographs, diving watches, complication watches, desk clocks, men’s and women’s wristwatches—whether vintage or modern, in gold or steel.

These auctions attract a wide range of buyers, including young collectors, seasoned enthusiasts, investors, business professionals, and industry experts. Watch collectors value the seriousness of our expertise and the transparency that are essential for purchasing. Our specialists carry out meticulous work to ensure the authentication and detailed description of your watches, including movement, hallmarks, serial numbers, and functionality. Our appraisals are complimentary and confidential.

The Great Names in Watchmaking & Their Iconic Models

Some models have played a key role in establishing the fame of the watchmaking houses mentioned above, such as the “Royal Oak”, recognizable by its octagonal bezel, designed by Gérald Genta for Audemars Piguet. Another example is the “Reverso”, created in 1931 by René Chauvot for Jaeger-LeCoultre, which was specifically designed for polo players, allowing them to protect their watch glass with a reversible mechanism.

Rolex watches continue to enjoy unrivaled success and regularly achieve record-breaking auction results. Throughout the 20th century, Rolex developed numerous iconic models. These include the Oyster, launched in 1926 as the world’s first waterproof watch; the GMT Master, designed in 1954 to equip Pan Am pilots; and the Comex Submariner and Comex Sea-Dweller, created for professional divers exploring great depths.

This unparalleled watchmaking expertise has made these models highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors of luxury timepieces

Good to Know: Our Collectible watches’ department organizes 8 “Online Prestige” sales per year. Check out our auction calendar for upcoming events.

Our specialists are at your disposal to evaluate your items and provide you with professional expertise, along with tailored advice for sales or investment opportunities. Appraisals are free and confidential, available by appointment. You can also submit your appraisal requests by filling out the online form.

Our experts and specialists travel across France and Europe, working in collaboration with our representative offices to provide complimentary watch and timepiece valuations in Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Brussels, and Geneva. Learn more about our offices.

The team is here to assist you in researching, selling, or acquiring a unique piece through private sales, conducted with the utmost discretion. Our auctioneers are also available to conduct inventories of your assets and collections for division or sale purposes