The market for vintage and modern watches at auction seems unstoppable: last month, Sotheby’s achieved its highest ever total for a mixed-owner watch sale when it grossed $7.1m for 239 lots in its autumn Hong Kong event, the most expensive piece being a 2004 tourbillon by the contemporary, high-end maker, Greubel Forsey that raised in excess of $350,000.
But for the next three days, all eyes will be on Geneva – the traditional seat of truly stellar watch auction prices – as Antiquorum, Christie’s and Sotheby’s bring to their respective rostrums no fewer than 1,300 wrist and pocket watches with an estimated combined value in excess of £10m ($16m).
