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Sleeper Lots from the Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: XII

It’s that time again — the latest edition of Phillips’ watch auctions is taking place from November 6th-7th in Geneva.

phillips watch auctionPhillips

By Oren Hartov

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The time is nigh. We shall bid large sums of money on tiny wristwatches, COVID-19 be damned. Or, rather, some of us shall watch other people bid large sums of money on tiny wristwatches, and watch from afar, and admire said watches.

Phillips’ Geneva Watch Auction: XII is taking place live from November 6th through 7th at Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva. For those who won’t be bidding, a perusal of the catalog and a gander at the auction results is still a fine way to learn about significant watches both vintage and new.

Below are some of our favorite lots — not the star lots, mind you, but some watches that may fly under the radar, and shouldn’t because they’re so damn cool.

Bubble back Rolexes may be small by modern standards, but there’s no denying their class and timeless appeal. This beautiful pre-War example is signed by Swiss retailer Beyer.

Estimate: $5,500-10,900

Longines produced some of the finest chronograph movements ever made, including the cal. 30CH. Here, it’s housed in an oversized 37.5mm steel step case and fitted to a well-preserved dial.

Estimate: $21,800-43,600

When you hear the name Breguet, you probably picture either a 200-year-old pocket watch or a Type 20. But their rare, mid-20th century chronographs were equally stunning. 

Estimate: $54,500-109,000

Doxa may be known today for its colorful dive watches, but its vintage chronographs were just as colorful. This “Anti-Magnetique” features a beautiful two-tone dial and an oversized steel case.

Estimate: $8,700-17,400

This fairly innocuous looking Calatrava is all kinds of special. Its black sector dial and steel case are all business, but its Eberhard signature makes it one step father removed from the ordinary.

Estimate: $87,200-131,000 

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