Strong 2026 continues for Sotheby’s after New York sale
The recent Sotheby’s Important Watches auction in New York achieved $22 million in sales, along with a 92% sell-through rate.
1,800 watch collectors registered to bid at the sale, which is a third up on the number that did so at the equivalent sales 12 months ago. This has been part of the reason that global watch sales at Sotheby’s are up 66% year-on-year so far in 2026.
F.P.Journe was the highlight of the New York sale, with a Vagabondage II achieving $960,000 under the hammer, more than double its low estimate. The watch came from the collection of NFL legend Tom Brady, and features digital jumping hours and minutes rendered through rotating apertures.
This sale came just minutes after an F.P.Journe Vagabondage I sold for $832,000, while there were also big prices realized for the brand’s Chronomètre Bleu ‘Byblos’ ($537,600), and Chronomètre à Résonance ($576,000).
“TThe strength and buoyancy of the market are clear, with registrants up more than one-third year-over-year,” said Geoff Hess, global head of watches at Sotheby’s. The momentum is undeniable — we are in a particularly exciting moment for the watch market as we head into the second half of the year.”
Other lots worthy of mention include a Heuer Monaco worn by Steve McQueen during the filming of Le Mans (1971), which realized $640,000; and a Patek Philippe Reference 962, which smashed its pre-sale estimate by achieving a price of $704,000 (est. $100,000 – 200,000).
