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Rebecca Ross
Vice president and senior specialist for watches in New York, Christie’s
The Pearl of Bahrain: Signed Patek Philippe, Genève, 1958
Sold: December 2015
Achieved price: $437,000
One of the most exciting things about working in the watch auction industry is the opportunity to take part in remarkable discoveries. The Pearl of Bahrain (pictured above) is an extraordinary Patek Philippe Ref. 2573 in rose gold with natural seed-pearl hour markers on a pink starburst dial. The watch is fresh to market and was, according to the consignor, a gift presented by Emir Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa I of Bahrain to an American advisor, businessman and close friend, a gentleman who had a legendary career in the Middle East spanning decades. The gentleman is still living and thrilled to learn of the importance of the watch. He wore it only a few times in his life, so the watch is preserved in mint and original condition. It has remarkable architecture to account for the seed-pearl hour markers. The hour and minute hands are on a post much higher than on other watches so they can clear the hour markers, and the bezel seems to be much taller than on other examples of the Ref. 2573. This and the domed crystal provide remarkable viewing from the side, giving the watch incredible visual interest.
Jonathan Darracott
Global head of watches, Bonhams
Pablo Picasso’s bracelet watch
Sold: May 2021
Achieved price: EUR 219,050 ($254,250)
One of the most extraordinary watches I sold at Bonhams was a manual-wind steel bracelet watch by Swiss watchmaker Michael Z. Berger that once belonged to Pablo Picasso. The artist wore the watch frequently, and it appears in photographs of him – most notably in a 1960s portrait by Cecil Beaton, where the letters spelling “Picasso” on the dial are clearly visible. While the watch itself was not inherently valuable, its remarkable provenance, verified by Bonhams after months of research for the family, gave it significant historical importance. Picasso had owned and worn the watch before later gifting it to his friend, the Greek sculptor Lela Kanellopoulou. In the end, the piece sold for nearly 20 times its EUR 12,000 ($13,928) presale low estimate.
Steven Yambo
Senior watch specialist, Fellows
Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239
Sold: February 2026
Achieved price: GBP 141,800 ($190,435)
Throughout my time at Fellows, I have had the pleasure of experiencing a great many extraordinary and valuable watches. This one was a particularly fine example of a grail watch for Rolex collectors. Despite its now legendary status, the “exotic” dial was originally a sales flop, resulting in it being produced in small numbers – so it is a rare find today. It gained its “Paul Newman” nickname because the actor was often seen wearing one, which was a gift from his wife. This helped cement the watch as possibly the most iconic Rolex that collectors seek.
Geoffrey Hess
Global head of watches, Sotheby’s
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime from the collection of Sylvester Stallone
Sold: June 2024
Achieved price: $5.4 million
The most extraordinary and memorable watch I’ve offered is likely the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300G-010 in white gold owned by Sylvester Stallone. With 20 complications, this reference is the most complicated wristwatch Patek ever created. Working with Sly was unforgettable. While many recognize him as the legendary actor behind characters like Rocky and Rambo, watch enthusiasts know him to be one of the most influential watch collectors in the last 30 years. It should come as no surprise that the video he did for us at Sotheby’s, talking about this grail timepiece and what it meant to him, has earned a viral 2.6 million views to date, and still going!
Reginald Brack
Senior vice president and head of department for watches, Freeman’s
F.P. Journe platinum Tourbillon Souverain Black Label
Sold: October 2023
Achieved price: $415,800
The F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Black Label is a highly exclusive boutique-edition timepiece, historically reserved for existing F.P. Journe owners. It is characterized by the signature Black Label aesthetic: a deep black lacquer dial paired with a platinum case. Production is extremely limited, with only two examples of any Black Label model produced per year for each boutique. It was our great honor to offer a pristine example in the Glen de Vries single-owner sale, particularly since Mr. de Vries was a passionate founding member of the Journe Society, the exclusive brand-sponsored collector group.
James Wolf
Director of watches and fine timepieces, Heritage Auctions
Corrie Ebbelaar’s Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513
Sold: April 2026
Achieved price: $25,000
This watch carries exceptional historical significance, commemorating one of the great endurance feats of its era. Engraved to mark Corrie Ebbelaar’s record-setting 1971 English Channel swim – which she completed in an impressive 10 hours and 43 minutes from England to France – the watch stands as a tangible tribute to human perseverance and achievement. Further underscoring its importance are the accompanying Channel Swimming Association certificate, period interview material with Ebbelaar, and a signed letter of authenticity from the Ebbelaar family.
Main image: The Pearl of Bahrain. (Christie’s)
