If you’ve been keeping up with wristwatch auction news over the last 6 months then you’ll know that even as the watch market is experiencing a slight slump, auction prices have continued to remain buoyant. The only proof you need of that is the fact Christie’s have just set the world record for the most expensive watch auctioned online.
The watch in question is the Patek Philippe Grand Complications ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’ Ref. 6002G-001 and it sold for an incredible $5.8 million, which is approximately £4.7 million. It was sold as lot 111 in the Christie’s Hong Kong Top of Time Watches Online auction.
It’s important to note that there are watches that have sold for more at in-person auctions, such as the Paul Newman Daytona that sold for $17 million or the $31 million Grandmaster Chime that holds the title for most expensive watch at auction of all time. The Sky Moon holds the title of most expensive wristwatch specifically for online auctions.
The watch itself is a 44mm white gold piece with a cloisonné enamel dial in dark blue with a central floral motif. In terms of complications, it features a long, long list: minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, retrograde date, moonphase, leap year indicator, sidereal time and star charts. It is a truly spectacular piece of haute horology. It all makes me wonder if we’ll ever see the Ref. 6002R at auction and whether it can take the crown from its white gold cousin.
More details at Christies.
