Remi Guillemin, Christie’s Head of Watches for EMEA and the Americas, takes us inside the world of rare timepieces and watch auctions.
“Going once, going twice, sold.” The fall of the hammer, a rare timepiece changing hands for millions of dollars… There is little doubt that auctions are among the most dynamic arenas in the world of horology. Throughout the year, auction houses bring to the block exceptional watches from dozens of maisons, from Rolex to Patek Philippe — rare, fresh-to-the-market pieces, some with histories stretching back decades.
At certain points in the calendar, competition intensifies as watches come up for sale across the globe, from Geneva to New York. The first half of 2026 saw Christie’s host record-breaking sales and fiercely contested bidding sessions. As the first half of the year drew to a close, we sat down with Remi Guillemin, Christie’s Head of Watches for EMEA and the Americas, for an in-depth conversation about watches, collecting and the ever-evolving auction landscape.
From the F.P. Journe Platinum Tourbillon Wristwatch to the record-breaking Cartier Crash, Christie’s has handled some remarkable timepieces this year. How would you assess the first half of 2026 from the perspective of the watch market and the auction world?
Christie’s has been successful in attracting exceptional, fresh-to-the-market timepieces during the first half of 2026. This has resulted in a series of record-breaking results, including the sale of the Audemars Piguet monopusher chronograph, the Audemars Piguet Jumping Hour, the Cartier Crash London, and the F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Ref. T. The watch market remains in a healthy position, with collectors increasingly focused on exceptional, historically significant timepieces rather than the speculative buying that characterized previous years. Leading brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and F.P. Journe continue to attract strong demand, underscoring the enduring appetite for rare and important watches among collectors.
Alongside familiar names such as F.P. Journe, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, a timepiece created by Greubel Forsey and Philippe Dufour also appeared among the top ten watch sales of the year so far. Are independent watchmakers gaining greater prominence in the auction market?
Independent watchmakers have continued to gain prominence in the auction world, particularly at the highest end of the market. The Naissance d’une Montre timepiece by Greubel Forsey, Philippe Dufour and Michel Boulanger, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong in May 2026, perfectly illustrates this trend, achieving HKD 11,938,000. Timepieces by the world’s most accomplished independent watchmakers have consistently attracted competitive bidding, as discerning collectors continue to seek high levels of rarity, artisanal craftsmanship and the ability for collectors to feel a direct connection with the watchmaker’s creative vision. As collectors mature, they increasingly prioritize quality, provenance, and originality over short-term speculation.
Which independent watchmakers have been attracting the most attention at auction in recent years? Are there any names that have particularly surprised you with their momentum among collectors?
The independent watchmakers that have attracted the greatest attention at auction in recent years usually combine exceptional craftsmanship, technical innovation and have a distinctive creative identity. Philippe Dufour continues to command outstanding prices, as collectors regard him as one of the foremost masters of traditional hand-finishing and technical excellence. Christie’s was privileged to offer his Grande and Petite Sonnerie Minute Repeater Model No.1 in 2023, which sold for CHF 5,127,000. F.P. Journe, George Daniels, and Rexhep Rexhepi have likewise emerged among the most sought-after independent watchmakers at auction. They each offer different attributes that collectors cherish: innovation, exceptional craftsmanship and originality.
Have you observed any notable shifts in the auction landscape over the past few years? Whether in collector behaviors, buying patterns, or the brands attracting the strongest interest, what trends stand out to you today?
One of the most notable shifts in recent years has been the return to connoisseurship from a market driven by speculation. This shift has reinforced demand for vintage and historically significant timepieces. Freshness to the market is also a major factor in today’s market. Collectors want to be surprised.
What is the process of selecting watches for auction? Beyond rarity and provenance, what qualities make a timepiece worthy of inclusion in a major Christie’s sale?
Our specialists carefully evaluate each wristwatch based on its rarity, provenance, condition, historical significance, and relevance to collectors. At Christie’s we aim to present auctions that are balanced and compelling, with an emphasis on fresh-to-the-market discoveries or timepieces of indisputable quality and provenance. Our goal is also to match collector demand, by curating auctions that are relevant and celebrating the richness of horology.
The term “vintage” is often used rather broadly today. In your view, what characteristics must a watch possess to truly be considered vintage?
To me, a vintage timepiece should be pre-1980. The 80s’ market is a turning point in the way watches were made. Advances in manufacturing, technical improvements and the growing use of modern materials changed the way the industry perceived watch creation.
Among all the watches you have encountered this year, is there one that has left a particularly strong impression on you? What made it stand out, either personally or from a horological perspective?
The Audemars Piguet single-button chronograph wristwatch below left a particularly strong impression on me. The timepiece had disappeared from Audemars Piguet’s radar for decades, only resurfacing when it was returned to Le Brassus for restoration. We were incredibly fortunate that the owner chose Christie’s to present this remarkable watch at auction, allowing us to work closely with both the consignor and Audemars Piguet to research its history and share its extraordinary story with collectors around the world.
Having spent many years in the watch and auction industry, have you had the opportunity to meet collectors from Türkiye? How do you view the Turkish watch community and its place within the broader international collecting landscape?
I have had the pleasure of meeting collectors from Türkiye. They have always impressed me through their refined taste, education, and genuine passion. They have an appreciation for important vintage watches, exceptional independent watchmakers and very special contemporary pieces.
