Legendary vintage Patek Philippe watch, “The Asprey,” fetched $3.88 million after hectic bidding at the Geneva auction, Sotheby’s said Tuesday.
This makes “The Asprey” the most expensive watch sold at Sotheby’s for 2018.
Made in 1952 and sold four years later, the Swiss luxury wristwatch was the star lot among 250 watches and pocket watches.
Global head of Sotheby’s watch division, Sam Hines said, “The watch is a perpetual calendar chronograph and it is unique in that it was retailed by the famous London retailer Asprey. The watch is in pristine condition, it has never been polished and it is the greatest quality one can find.”
The pre-sale estimate was $2-4 million.
“This particular watch was first on the market in 2006 and sold by Sotheby’s in Geneva for 2.2 million Francs, which made it the world record price for this particular reference. And since then, it’s become a sort of legendary watch amongst collectors and the watch community. It is known simply as ‘The Asprey’ and this is our star lot to be sold,” said Hines.
“The Asprey” offers the day and date, a stopwatch, the phases of the moon, and is worn on a brown leather strap.
The original owner, whose initials, R.C., are engraved on the back of the watch’s yellow gold case, probably received it for his 21st birthday, but has not been identified, the auction house said.
