The star of the event, christened "Rough Diamonds," stole the spotlight with a remarkable Patek Philippe Ref. 3290 ensembles from 1962, masterfully crafted by Gilbert Albert, adorned with enamel and pearls. Spiralling into a bidding frenzy lasting over six minutes, seven contenders vied for ownership, driving the final price to CHF 393,700 ($435,727), a staggering seven times its initial estimate, revealed Sotheby’s.

In total, the April 11 auction amassed CHF 1.2 million ($1.3 million), nearly doubling its projected upper limit.

Reflecting on the success, Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s luxury division, remarked, “Rough Diamonds emerged from the aspiration to curate a watch auction that truly resonated with collectors. Tonight’s outcomes, with every single one of the 24 lots acquired by a diverse and enthusiastic pool of buyers, affirm that vision. The pinnacle being the Gilbert Albert-designed Patek Philippe, the epitome of uniqueness and extravagance, claiming the highest value of the evening, underscores the discernible appetite among collectors for avant-garde and boldly distinctive timepieces, presented within a unique narrative.”

Other notable performers included two Audemars Piguet treasures. The first, a 1985 Cobra Royal Khanjar, commanded CHF 165,100 ($182,724), while a whimsical car-shaped wristwatch in white gold, adorned with diamonds and emeralds from 1995, fetched CHF 107,950 ($119,474), surpassing their anticipated values. Concurrently, a 1976 Patek Philippe bangle watch exceeded expectations, more than doubling its projected value to reach CHF 63,500 ($70,279).