Christie's three-session watch auction series in Geneva on November 10-11 has achieved record results for any watch sale series ever held.
 Pink gold examples of the finest Patek Philippe models are rare, and highly sought after |
The sales totalled $43.9m, with the various-owner Important Watches auction making $30.7m, and the Rolex Daytona "Lesson One" sale achieving $13.2m. Over 100 auction records were set in just 24 hours.
The overall top lot was a rare 1957 Patek Philippe ref. 2499 in pink gold, which sold for $4.2m. It is one of only eight examples of the second series model known in pink gold.
Following was a yellow gold Patek Philippe ref. 1563 from 1947, one of the three recorded examples of the model known to exist. Created as a special order for Duke Ellington, it sold for $1.5m.
 The combination of a black dial and screw-down pushers, which make the watch waterproof, is the most desirable for Rolex Daytona collectors |
The Rolex Daytona "Lesson One" sale was held to mark the 50th anniversary of "the world's most celebrated chronograph wristwatch", with a Paul Newman model setting a new world record for any Rolex Daytona at $1m.
A stainless steel example, made in 1969, it features a black background and screw-down pushers, which is the most prestigious and sought-after model among collectors.
Christie's international head of watches, Aurel Bacs, commented: "Christie's first ever evening auction dedicated to wristwatches proved an unprecented success.
"With four hundred people in the saleroom and plenty more queuing outside, I rarely experience a similar rock concert atmosphere from the rostrum.
"Setting 50 world record for 50 watches as well as achieving an absolute record for any Rolex Daytona ever sold at auction, Rolex Daytona "Lesson One" will be remembered as a historical event."
Antiquorum also saw success, achieving a new world record for a Patek Philippe ref 5016 in pink gold on November 10 in Geneva, with the third example ever to appear at auction (and the first with a black dial) selling for an impressive $785,728.
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