Paris, 17 June 2026 - Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr presented the Paris Fine Watches sale on 17 June 2026, the curated live sale featured a selection of rare and collectible timepieces, bringing together some of the most coveted names in horology, including Rolex, Patek Philippe, F.P. Journe, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Breitling, Breguet, and IWC. The Paris Fine Watches Sale confirmed the continued strength of the collectible watch market, achieving a total of €1,557,458, becoming one of the most successful watch auctions held at Bonhams in Paris.
The top lot was a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman', reference 6239, circa 1968. First appearing in the early 1960s, this 'exotic' dial manufactured by Singer was renamed the 'Paul Newman' by collectors after the American actor wore the watch in promotional posters for the film 'Winning' and throughout his private life. By sinking the subsidiary dials and outer scale within the opaque black dial background, the dial achieves an unusual three-dimensional look. The fine and rare stainless steel manual wind chronograph bracelet watch with exotic 'Paul Newman' dial achieved €178,200 against a pre-sale estimate of €120,000-180,000.
Another notable lot was a Vacheron Constantin, Mercator, reference 43050/000P-9031, circa 2003. Inspired by the celebrated "Bras en l'Air" pocket watches of the 1930s, the Mercator remains one of the most distinctive retrograde display wristwatches ever produced by Vacheron Constantin. Introduced in 1994 as a tribute to the Flemish cartographer Gérard Mercator, the model combines a sophisticated bi-retrograde display for the hours and minutes with richly decorated cartographic dials. The rare limited-edition, platinum automatic wristwatch with retrograde marine divider hands and cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of America, achieved €140,100, a world record price at auction.
Alexandre de Lamberterie and Luka Culic, specialists in the Watches department in Paris said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the Paris Fine Watches sale, which showcased an outstanding selection of exceptionally rare and highly coveted timepieces that saw participation reach high figures, with more than 745 registrants and 220 paddles registered for the auction with buyers from the US, HK & China, UAE and France. These results underscore the growing global appetite for exceptional timepieces. Notable results were achieved by the 1968 Rolex Daytona 'Paul Newman' with exotic dial and the 2003 Vacheron Constantin Mercator achieved a world record price at auction. The sale highlights the enduring strength of the luxury watch market and demonstrates continued confidence in rare collectible timepieces that remain highly appealing to horology enthusiasts worldwide."
Other notable sale highlights include:
• A F.P. Journe, Chronomètre Souverain, Circa 2005. Introduced in 2005, the Chronomètre Souverain is a time-only creation with power reserve indicator, conceived with a focus on precision, balance, and mechanical purity. Its asymmetrical dial conceals a movement inspired by traditional marine chronometers, reflecting the historical pursuit of extreme accuracy in navigation during the 18th century. The rare platinum manual wind wristwatch with power reserve indication achieved €113,430, double its pre-sale estimate of €50,000-80,000.
• A. Lange & Söhne, fine and rare 18K white gold manual wind calendar wristwatch with mother of pearl dial and power reserve indication, reference 110.029, circa 2001. Introduced in 2001, reference 110.029 from A. Lange & Söhne is distinguished by its striking mother-of-pearl dial, a material prized for its delicate iridescence and natural uniqueness. Part of the exclusive "Soirée" collection, the model pairs the iconic Lange 1 design with a refined and highly unusual aesthetic. The watch achieved €76,600, more than three times its pre-sale estimate of €20,000-30,000.
• A Patek Philippe limited-edition 150th anniversary 1839-1989, reference 3969, circa 1990. Created in 1989 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Patek Philippe, reference 3969 stands as one of the manufacture's most unconventional commemorative creations, inspired by the tonneau-shaped jump hour wristwatches of the late 1920s. Produced in limited numbers, the watch combines a highly traditional aesthetic with a playful and unusual display, reflecting Patek Philippe's ability to blend heritage with technical refinement. The platinum manual wind wristwatch with jumping hours dial achieved €76,600, more than double its pre-sale estimate of €30,000-60,000.
• A Vacheron Constantin, Saltarello, reference 43041, circa 1999. Introduced in 1997, the Saltarello reference 43041 stands among the most original and technically intriguing creations of Vacheron Constantin during the late 20th century. Owing to its distinctive display and limited production, the Saltarello remains one of the rarest and most collectible modern Vacheron Constantin references. The 18K white gold automatic jump hour wristwatch achieved €63,900, more than five times its pre-sale estimate of €12,000-18,000.
(Press Release)
