Rocker’s watch sets auction record

Posted November 19, 2012 | By Jeff Salton • Assistant Editor

Eric Clapton’s watch sold for a record $3,531,706 at Christie’s recent Geneva watch auction. But it wasn’t the only timepiece to “over-achieve”.

While Clapton’s record-breaking sale for a rare platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1987, was impressive, the top price went to another Patek Philippe time piece.

Heading the Christie’s sale was a J.B. Champion Platinum Observatory Chronometer, described as a unique platinum chronometer wristwatch, which was specially manufactured by Patek Philippe for J.B. Champion, the legendary American watch collector, in 1952.

Described as being “historically-important”, the timepiece fetched $3,876,817, setting a record at auction for a watch without complications.

World record prices were also set for other references and models from Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, antique and 20th century enamels, decorative and contemporary watches.

76 carat diamond
Earlier last week, a huge, internally flawless diamond from India's Golconda mines sold at auction in Geneva for a record $20.838 million.

76.02 carat flawless diamond

The rare, colourless stone weighing a massive 76.02 carats, and roughly the size of a large strawberry, once belonged to Archduke Joseph August of Austria (1872-1962), a Hungarian prince.

Even in this economic climate, it appears that people are prepared to pay above the odds for the very best stones, coloured or colourless.

Also last week, Sotheby’s in Geneva successfully auctioned a flawless deep-blue diamond for $10.51 million – more than twice its pre-sale estimate.

The almond-sized, drop-shaped diamond, weighing 10.48 carats, was “snapped up” by London luxury jeweller Laurence Graff.

More reading:
76 carat flawless diamond to be auctioned