Christie's Geneva Watches Set a CHF 47.8 Million House Record

F.P. Journe Vagabondage III no. 36/68 in pink gold, with a smoked sapphire dial and beige leather strap, Christie's lot 20
F.P. Journe Vagabondage III, no. 36/68-VIII, lot 20. Photo: Christie’s.

Christie's Rare Watches auction in Geneva on November 9, 2026 realized CHF 47,824,592 (US$58,703,706), which Christie's says is its highest total ever for a watch auction. Every lot in the sale at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues was sold. For comparison, Christie's spring Rare Watches sale in Geneva in May 2026 totaled US$42.3 million, according to Forbes. All prices below include the buyer's premium.

A Vagabondage trilogy stays together

The leading lot was F.P. Journe's Vagabondage III in 18k pink gold. Christie's dates this example to circa 2017. Its smoked sapphire dial reveals the movement beneath, with jumping hours at 10 o'clock, digital seconds at 6 o'clock and a central minute hand. A remontoir d'égalité supplies constant force to the escapement.

It joined the matching Vagabondage I and II, all numbered 36/68, in the hands of one private collector. The three watches together realized CHF 6,709,200, or US$8,235,406.

F.P. Journe Vagabondage II no. 36/68 in pink gold, with digital hours and minutes and a beige leather strap, Christie's lot 19
F.P. Journe Vagabondage II, no. 36/68-VII, lot 19. Photo: Christie’s.

The Vagabondage II, dated circa 2010, combines jumping hours and minutes with small seconds and a power-reserve display. The Vagabondage I, catalogued circa 2023, uses wandering hours around a visible balance. All three have manually wound movements and cases measuring 37.5 mm across and 45.2 mm in overall length. The pink-gold Vagabondage I uses the updated caliber 1504.2, developed for the later gold version that allowed collectors to complete their matching trilogy.

Five major results

  • F.P. Journe Vagabondage III, lot 20: CHF 2,536,000.
  • F.P. Journe Vagabondage II, lot 19: CHF 2,170,000.
  • F.P. Journe Vagabondage I, lot 18: CHF 2,003,200.
  • F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain, Ruthenium Collection, no. 92/99: CHF 1,536,000 / US$1,885,409.
  • F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance, Ruthenium Collection, no. 92/99: CHF 1,536,000 / US$1,885,409.
F.P. Journe Vagabondage I no. 36/68 in pink gold, with wandering hours, a visible balance and a beige leather strap, Christie's lot 18
F.P. Journe Vagabondage I, no. 36/68-V, lot 18. Photo: Christie’s.

The two Ruthenium watches belonged to a five-piece collection formerly owned by Michael Schumacher. Each carried the number 92/99, and the watches were offered individually. The Tourbillon Souverain and Chronomètre à Résonance tied for the highest result within that collection.

Sources: Christie's, official results, November 9, 2026; Christie's, Vagabondage III lot page; Christie's, official sale catalogue and realized prices.

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