The platinum Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph owned by Eric Clapton sold for £2.3 million at a Christie’s auction in Geneva earlier this week.
Clapton announced that the model – one of only two to exist, the other of which is in a museum in Switzerland – would be put up for auction in the late summer.
The 1987 perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases was one of the star lots at a Christie’s auction. Aurel Bacs, international head of Christie’s watch department, said it is ranked as one of the world’s 10 most significant wristwatches that stand out for historical importance, mechanical complexity, beauty, original condition, rarity and superior provenance.
The top lot of the day was a second platinum Patek Philippe model which went under the gavel for almost £2.5m.
The chronograph Patek Philippe, reference 2458, made in 1952 for American collector J.B. Champion. It set a world record for a watch without a complication. It has a Guillaume balance and a diamond-set dial and platinum bracelet and was purchased by Precious Time, the watch investment company.
Christie’s spokesman Cristiano de Lorenzo said the Eric Clapton watch was bought by an Asian private collector, who was thought to have been in the room during the seven-hour sale.
World record prices were also set for numerous references and models in the following categories: Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, antique and 20th century enamels, decorative watches and contemporary watches.
