This silver open-faced pocket chronometer by Breguet & Fils brought more than nine times its pre-sale estimate.

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Geneva--Sotheby’s sale of important watches here on May 15 realized a total of $8.8 million, with strong results shown for pocket watches and antique timepieces fetching prices far above pre-sale estimates.

The 280-lot auction sold 69 percent by lot and 74 percent by value.

“The solid results achieved tonight both for rare models of big brands and unique historical timepieces reflect the continued broadening of the market to wider geographical areas and a new generation of sophisticated collectors,” Geoffrey Ader, Sotheby’s European head of watches, said.

The auction was led by a rare Patek Philippe yellow gold chronograph wristwatch (below), which featured a perpetual calendar, moon phases and a Tachometer scale. First sold in Dec. of 1962, the piece brought $815,637 at auction.

Pocket watches secured strong bids at the auction, bringing the combined total of the category to $3.4 million after a pre-sale estimate of $2.2 - $3.3 million.

A rare silver open-faced pocket chronometer made by Breguet & Fils, circa 1809, recognized $124,745, more than nine times its pre-sale estimate of $13,300 - $19,900.

Additionally, a rare gold enamel and pearl-set montre a tact watch made by Le Roy, circa 1820, realized $63,501, nearly $10,000 more than its highest pre-sale estimate of $55,500.

A single-owner collection of antique watches, named Property of an Estate, which brought a combined total of $662,528 after a high pre-sale estimate of $565,600.

One watch within the collection included the gold enamel watch with an automaton scene depicting a lady at the spinning-wheel sitting by a fire with a child, a cat and two dogs (below). The piece is attributed to Geneva watchmaker Pierre Simon Gounouilhou, circa 1820, one of the only makers alongside Dubois & Fils who produced this form of automaton.

Strong competition was also seen for enamel timepieces made for the Chinese, Turkish and Indian markets. High prices were fueled by bidding from Asia, India and the Middle East, including the $273,761 sale of a rare 18-karat gold and enamel scent flacon made by Piguet & Capt circa 1807.

Rare Rolexes also performed well at the auction, with a total combined sale of $2.3 million. An Oyster Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” sold for $233,120, exceeding its high pre-sale estimate by $67,000.

Sotheby’s next fine watches auction will take place July 14 in London.