Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo broke the world record for any auction lot in any category sold online when the very first Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5711 with Tiffany Blue dial hammered for $6.5 million.
It was bought over the internet, despite Phillips welcoming bidders back in person to its New York saleroom.
The Tiffany-dialed Nautilus was unveiled last week as a limited edition of 170 pieces to mark 170 years of Patek Philippe and Tiffany working together.
It is on sale only at Tiffany boutiques in New York, Beverly Hills, and San Francisco priced at $52,635.
The first of the 170 was put up for auction by Tiffany to raise money for The Nature Conservancy, which will receive 100% of the $6.5 million sale price at Phillips.
“The enthusiasm we saw in the lead up to the sale, which was reflected in the price it achieved, is a testament to the enduring legacy of 170 years of partnership between Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co,” says Aurel Bacs, senior consultant at Phillips.
“It is also incredibly humbling to play a part in raising such well-deserved funds for The Nature Conservancy. We are grateful to all those who helped make this extraordinary result possible, especially to the many people around the globe who raised their paddles on such a momentous occasion,” he adds.
