Tobak, author of “Ice Cold: A Hip-Hop Jewelry History,” shares how the exhibition came to be, and the pieces people may be surprised to see.
Patek Philippe Watch Sells for Record-Breaking $31M
Meet the world’s most expensive timepiece sold at auction.
At the Nov. 9 Only Watch auction held at Christie’s Geneva, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime reference 6300A-010 in stainless steel sold to an undisclosed bidder for 31 million Swiss francs ($31.3 million).
It’s the highest price garnered for any watch at auction, beating out Patek’s Henry Graves Supercomplication, which sold for $24 million at Sotheby’s Geneva in 2014, and the Rolex Daytona that once belonged to Paul Newman, which sold for $17.8 million at Phillips New York in October 2017.
It also has a reversible case, with one dial in rose gold and the other in black ebony.
Unlike its predecessors, the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime’s record-breaking hammer price benefitted charity.
Only Watch founder Luc Pettavino, previously the organizer of the Monaco Yacht Show, which counts many timepiece brands as sponsors, created the auction in honor of his son, who died from the disease.
Prior to Saturday’s sale, the organization had raised more than 35 million euros ($38.5 million) since its inception in 2005, Pettavino told Monochrome Watches.
Thanks to the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime, the most recent Christie’s Geneva auction doubled that number, totaling CHF 38.6 million ($40 million).
In total, 50 one-of-a-kind timepieces were donated and auctioned in the sale, which lasted more than two hours.
Following the Only Watch auction were a number of Christie’s Geneva sales this week, including Magnificent Jewels, which saw a 7.03-carat fancy deep blue diamond garner CHF 11.6 million ($11.7 million) to earn the top lot spot.
Christie’s Rare Watches sale, meanwhile, totaled CHF $12.7 million ($12.8 million), with the Henry Graves Patek Philippe made to his specific recommendations in 1972 selling for CHF 4.6 million ($4.62 million).
The Latest
Stars adorned themselves in emeralds, platinum, and myriad bird motifs, writes Associate Editor Natalie Francisco.
M.S. Rau is set to open a seasonal gallery in the high-end resort town early next month.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
The branded jewelry market is thriving, said Richemont Chairman Johann Rupert.
The six designers, all participants in the show’s Diversity Action Council mentorship program, will exhibit in Salon 634.
The “Venetian Link” series modernizes the classic Veneziana box chain in its bracelets and necklaces.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to two low-income students.
The Swiss watchmaker said the company’s plans to use a new version of the Hallmark crown on jewelry would confuse consumers.
The executive talked about the importance of self-purchasers and how fuel cell electric vehicles are going to fuel demand for platinum.
The Indian jeweler’s new store in Naperville, Illinois marks its 350th location, part of its ongoing global expansion plans.
It will award a graduating high school student with about $10,000 toward a GIA diploma and an internship with the Seattle-based jeweler.
Wheat Ridge, Colorado police took a 50-year-old man into custody Wednesday following a two-month search.
PGI partnered with four new and seven returning designers for its annual platinum capsule collection.
Nicolosi, president and CEO of The Kingswood Company, previously sat on WJA’s board from 2011 to 2018.
Karina Brez’s race-ready piece is a sophisticated nod to the horse-rider relationship.
The men are allegedly responsible for stealing millions in jewelry and other valuables in 43 burglaries in 25 towns across Massachusetts.
“Horizon” invites individuals to explore the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, said the brand.
The jeweler credits its recent “Be Love” campaign and ongoing brand revamp for its 17 percent jump in sales.
The co-founder of Lewis Jewelers was also the longtime mayor of the city of Moore.
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.