Bonhams Paris Fine Watches Sale Totals €1.56M, Rolex Paul Newman Leads at €178,200
Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr's Paris Fine Watches sale on June 17, 2026, achieved €1,557,458, making it one of the most successful watch auctions held by Bonhams in Paris. The top lot was a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman' reference 6239 from circa 1968, which sold for €178,200 against an estimate of €120,000–180,000. A Vacheron Constantin Mercator reference 43050/000P-9031 from circa 2003 achieved €140,100, a world record price at auction. The sale drew more than 745 registrants and 220 paddles, with buyers from the US, Hong Kong, China, the UAE, and France.
The Signal
The results reinforce the enduring strength of the collectible watch market, with global demand driving prices well above estimates for rare and iconic timepieces. The Rolex 'Paul Newman' Daytona and the Vacheron Constantin Mercator both commanded premium prices, reflecting sustained collector appetite for historically significant and limited-edition watches. The auction's strong performance across multiple brands—including F.P. Journe, A. Lange & Söhne, and Patek Philippe—suggests continued confidence in luxury horology as a tangible asset class, even as broader market conditions fluctuate.
- People: Alexandre de Lamberterie, Luka Culic, Paul Newman
- Auction Houses: Bonhams
- Locations: Paris
- Prices: €1,557,458, €178,200, €140,100, €113,430, €76,600
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