Phillips
New York, USA · Est. 1796
Founded by Harry Phillips
Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is one of the world's leading watch auction houses, based in Geneva, and has achieved some of the highest prices ever paid for a wristwatch. The sale of Paul Newman's personal Rolex Daytona in 2017 for $17.75 million set a then-world record for a wristwatch at auction.
- Founded
- 1796
- Headquarters
- New York, USA
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Geneva Watch Auction — Flagship bi-annual sale in Geneva, regularly achieving record-breaking prices for rare and vintage timepieces.
- The Hong Kong Watch Auction — Major sale in Asia catering to the growing collector market in the region, featuring rare Asian-market pieces.
- The New York Watch Auction — Annual American sale focusing on both vintage and contemporary independent watchmaking.
Timeline
- 1796 — Harry Phillips founds the original Phillips auction house in London.
- 2014 — Phillips partners with Aurel Bacs and Livia Russo, forming 'Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo', focused exclusively on watch auctions.
- 2017 — Sells Paul Newman's personal Rolex Daytona for $17.75 million — then the most expensive wristwatch ever auctioned.
- 2019 — The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime sells for CHF 31 million at Only Watch through Phillips, setting a new all-time record.
- 2023 — Phillips Watches auction department continues to set records, with the Geneva Watch Auction series consistently achieving highest total sales in the industry.
- 2025 — Remains the dominant watch auction house alongside Christie's and Sotheby's, with strong sales reflecting continued collector demand despite broader luxury market softening.
Frequently Asked Questions about Phillips
- Is Phillips a watch brand?
- No. Phillips is a major international auction house. Its watch department, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, is one of the world's leading platforms for rare watch sales.
- Who is Aurel Bacs?
- Aurel Bacs is widely regarded as the most influential watch auctioneer in the world. He and Livia Russo joined Phillips in 2014, transforming it into the dominant force in watch auctions.