New York, 12 June 2025 — Three rare vintage watches broke records at Sotheby’s Important Watches: Take a Minute auction on Tuesday, confirming that collector interest in historic timepieces remains strong.
The sale attracted over 1,300 collectors worldwide and achieved a near-total sell-through rate, with 98 percent of lots sold. The auction totaled $20.4 million.
The top lot was a 1957 Patek Philippe Reference 2499 Second Series, a perpetual calendar chronograph. The watch is believed to be the only known example in pink gold with a retailer’s signature—Gobbi Milano—on the dial. It sold for $4.3 million to an Asian collector, becoming the most expensive wristwatch sold at auction so far this year, according to Sotheby’s.
Another highlight was a 1954 Patek Philippe Reference 2524/1 minute repeater, retailed by Gübelin. One of just two known in pink gold, and the only one with a double signature, it sold for $1.6 million after intense bidding. This set a new auction record for the reference, despite falling short of its $2.5 million high estimate. Six minute repeaters in total were sold at the auction, bringing in a combined $4 million.
Rolex also saw strong interest. A Daytona “Paul Newman” Reference 6241 from the 1960s, featuring a rare “tropical” dial, sold for $914,400—well above its $800,000 high estimate. This set a new auction record for the model.
The results reflect continued demand for iconic vintage models from prestigious brands like Patek Philippe and Rolex, reinforcing the strength of the high-end watch market.