Rare Voutilainen 28Sport Tops October Watch Auctions at $1 Million

Voutilainen 28Sport Sells for $1,016,000 at Phillips New York

The highest result among the auctions reviewed came from Phillips Watches Online: The New York Sessions, Fall 2026, which concluded on 9 October. Lot 22, a Voutilainen 28Sport Limited Edition in stainless steel, achieved $1,016,000 including the buyer's premium against an estimate of $120,000 to $240,000.

The watch is numbered five of eight stainless steel examples and was accompanied by a certificate dated October 2021. Introduced in 2020, the 28Sport was offered in two limited series comprising eight steel watches and eight titanium versions.

The auctioned example features a 39mm case with distinctive teardrop-shaped lugs. Its dial combines a glossy black onyx centre with a blue guilloché hour track, orange hour markers and luminous details. Phillips noted that this particular dial configuration may exist on only two examples.

Inside is the manually wound Calibre 28, developed by independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The movement features a large balance wheel, a hairspring combining a Phillips overcoil with a Grossmann inner curve, and traditional hand-finishing. The watch was offered by its original owner with accompanying accessories.

Other notable results from the Phillips auction included:

• F.P. Journe Octa Lune: A pink-gold example with a salmon-coloured dial sold for $304,800.

• F.P. Journe lineSport Centigraphe Souverain: A platinum chronograph achieved $304,800.

• F.P. Journe Octa Quantième Perpétuel: A platinum perpetual calendar watch sold for $241,300.

• Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Marqueterie: A decorative clock inspired by Gustav Klimt achieved $152,400.

• Patek Philippe Ref. 5270J: A yellow-gold perpetual calendar chronograph sold for $139,700.

• Rolex Daytona Ref. 116506: The platinum model known as the Platona achieved $101,600.

All 88 lots offered in the Phillips online auction were sold, with independent watchmakers accounting for several of the highest prices.

Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Reaches €448,000 at Sotheby's Paris

Sotheby's Fine Watches auction in Paris, which closed on 7 October 2026, was led by a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman Ref. 6241 dating from approximately 1968.

The stainless steel chronograph sold for €448,000, approximately $500,700, including fees. Its pre-sale estimate was €120,000 to €260,000, and the bidding attracted 15 offers.

The watch had remained in a private European collection for decades and was appearing on the market for the first time. Its black Paul Newman dial features contrasting white subsidiary counters and a red Daytona inscription. A black acrylic bezel distinguishes Reference 6241 from the related Reference 6239.

The 36mm case houses the manually wound Rolex Calibre 722-1. The watch was offered on its Oyster bracelet with a box, papers and Rolex guarantee card.

Another important result was a platinum F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain from approximately 2014, which achieved €307,200. The manually wound chronograph can measure intervals as short as one hundredth of a second and offers timing indications extending to ten minutes.

Two additional Rolex models attracted attention. A white-gold GMT-Master II Ref. 116749SABLNR with a gemstone-set bezel sold for €153,600, while a Sea-Dweller COMEX Ref. 1665 from around 1979 achieved €102,400.

The COMEX Sea-Dweller is particularly significant because examples of this type were supplied to professional divers working with the French diving company rather than being offered through ordinary retail channels.

Christie's Hong Kong Records Strong Results for Rare Watches

Christie's Watches Online: The Hong Kong Edit concluded on 7 October with a total of HKD 23,125,632, approximately USD 2.95 million.

One of the most notable results involved a vintage Eska wristwatch in 18-carat pink gold with a cloisonné enamel dial. The 34mm manually wound watch achieved HKD 1,216,000 against an estimate of HKD 80,000 to HKD 160,000.

The final price represented more than seven times the upper estimate, illustrating the appeal of unusual decorative craftsmanship even when the manufacturer is less prominent than established luxury brands.

A Vacheron Constantin perpetual calendar chronograph Ref. 49005/000P from approximately 2002 also attracted substantial bidding. The platinum watch, measuring 38mm, features a rose-coloured dial and a moon-phase display incorporating lapis lazuli. After 44 bids, it sold for HKD 1,024,000, approximately USD 130,500, against a low estimate of HKD 40,000.

Interest was not limited to complete watches. An aluminium F.P. Journe bracelet received 79 bids and sold for HKD 307,200, despite being offered without a watch.

Meanwhile, two prominent Patek Philippe references achieved prices within their estimates. A Nautilus Annual Calendar Ref. 5726/1A-001 sold for HKD 832,000, while a World Time Ref. 5131J-014 with a cloisonné enamel dial reached HKD 704,000.

Bonhams New York Results and Key Auction Trends

Bonhams held its New York Watches sale on 8 October, with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Mini Frosted Gold achieving the highest result at $76,700.

The 2024 model, Reference 67630BA.GG.1312BA.01, features a compact 23mm yellow-gold case and bracelet with a textured finish produced using a diamond-tipped hammer. Powered by a quartz movement, it exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $50,000 to $70,000.

Another notable result was a Breguet Classique Ref. 3130 from the 1980s. The yellow-gold watch, incorporating calendar indications, a moon-phase display and a power reserve indicator, sold for $53,760 against an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.

Not every specialist watch attracted a successful bid. Two H. Moser & Cie. models, including a Pioneer Tourbillon Miami limited to 28 examples and a Streamliner Genesis 2 from 2026, remained unsold.

Taken together, the early October auction results suggest that collectors were particularly responsive to unusual configurations, limited production and distinctive craftsmanship. The Voutilainen 28Sport, the vintage Rolex Daytona and the enamel-dial Eska all achieved prices substantially above their estimates.

The strongest bidding was not necessarily reserved for watches with the highest initial valuations. Instead, rarity, provenance and the opportunity to acquire a difficult-to-find example appeared to influence several of the week's most significant sales.

With a stainless steel Voutilainen exceeding $1 million and rare vintage watches continuing to attract competition, the early October auctions highlighted strong bidding for selected rare watches from both independent and established manufacturers.