Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo to Auction Eleven Unique Timepieces to Benefit the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation

Geneva, 20 March 2025 - Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has announced that eleven of the most revered independent watchmakers and brands have donated unique timepieces to benefit the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation, a charitable initiative dedicated to pressing humanitarian challenges in Switzerland and around the world. The watches will be offered as part of the Geneva Watch Auction: XXI, on 10 and 11 May 2025, in what the house calls one of the most significant moments for independent watchmaking in recent history. Each of the eleven is unique, either a one-of-a-kind creation or an exclusive iteration of an existing model.

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has long championed independent watchmakers, viewing them as the next generation of watchmaking excellence. The donors span Switzerland, Germany, the United States, and the UAE, and include Philippe Dufour, Ludovic Ballouard, ArtyA, Magana, Carl F. Bucherer, Miki Eleta, Jacob & Co., Berney, Moritz Grossmann, Bovet, and Havid Nagan. Established in June 2023, the Foundation focuses on providing essential resources such as food, clean water, healthcare, housing, and education to underserved communities, while also emphasizing environmental stewardship and the preservation of artisanal crafts.

Alexandre Ghotbi, Deputy Chairman Watches, Head of Europe and Middle East, and Tiffany To, Head of Sale, jointly stated that they were "deeply honoured to partner with the Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour Foundation, offering collectors an extraordinary selection of rare and historically significant timepieces." The auction, they added, "is more than just a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and watchmaking's enduring legacy; it is a meaningful opportunity to support a noble cause and bring relief to those in need." Philippe and Elisabeth Dufour, for their part, said, "We can't claim to save the world, but together, we can make meaningful change," extending their gratitude to the watch community for supporting this, their second charity auction.

The eleven timepieces

While the complete catalog will be revealed in the weeks leading up to the auction, the eleven donated watches showcase exquisite craftsmanship and innovation across independent watchmaking. Highlights include:

• Philippe Dufour, a unique Simplicity with a dial crafted from real butterfly wings by the artist Dominique Arpa-Cirpka, the first time Dufour integrates metiers d'art into his iconic design, in a 37mm pink gold case with a hand-finished movement.
• Ludovic Ballouard, an Upside Down watch with a movement of 12 rotating discs that display the correct hour, paired with a hand-painted enamel dial reproducing Marc Chagall's The Birthday, crafted in-house by Caroline Cottin.
• ArtyA, a unique Curvy Purity Tourbillon Ruby with a ruby red sapphire case, a skeletonised movement, an 18mm tourbillon, and a phosphorescent effect under UV light.
• Magana, the Sands of Time Tribute to Liwa, a limited edition of 20 pieces inspired by the Liwa Desert, with a sand-colored DLC stainless steel case and calendar complications, each sale planting 212 trees through "Trees for the Future."
• Carl F. Bucherer, a unique timepiece with its signature peripheral rotor movement, the COSC-certified Caliber A2050, and a deep blue dial bearing the Foundation's logo, in a 40.6mm pink gold case.
• Miki Eleta, Time in Space, a horological sculpture with a dynamic rotating hour display, in a 48mm steel case powered by a manually wound ETA movement.
• Jacob & Co., The World is Yours, a dual time zone watch with a domed dial featuring a blue lacquer ocean and pink gold-plated landmasses.
• Berney, the Ref. 8448, with the Valjoux 88 movement, a full calendar and moon-phase, in a 39mm stainless steel case with a black dial and Breguet numerals.
• Moritz Grossmann, the Tefnut Silver-Plated by Friction, Glashütte watchmaking with a hand-applied silver-plated dial, engraved blue numerals, and a hand-wound caliber 102.1, in a 39mm stainless steel case.
• Bovet, the Recital 12, with an in-house movement, a 7-day power reserve, an off-center time display, and a black lacquer dial bearing the Foundation's logo.
• Havid Nagan, the Classic One Prototype, the first round watch from Aren Bazerkanian's independent brand, with a layered dial, a 29-part case, and a movement with a 62-hour power reserve.

Previews will be available online and in person at Phillips Geneva in the weeks leading up to the sale, which will be held at the Hotel President, 407 Quai Wilson, Geneva. The proceeds will go to the Foundation, preserving and advancing the legacy of independent watchmaking for generations to come.

A house record in watches

The sale extends a track record at the forefront of the watch market. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021, the year the team reached a global auction sale total of $209.3 million, the most successful year for any auction house in watch auction history. The year 2023 was its second most successful, with an annual total of $215.8 million. Its record results include Paul Newman's Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona reference 6239, sold for CHF 17,709,894 (US$17,752,500) in New York in October 2017, and a Patek Philippe reference 1518 in stainless steel, sold for CHF 11,020,000 (US$11,112,020) in Geneva in November 2016.

Estimates do not include the buyer's premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium.

(Press Release)