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Are auction prices 'real'?
I was looking for some articles on the Patek ref. 5135P Annual Calendar. I came across a Sotheby's listing for an auction in September/October of 2025, so not too long ago.
This one hammered at 25,400 Euros, or about $30,000 U.S. That seemed incredibly low to me.
So I went to the catalog and filtered for Patek only (I have a login as I was checking prices for a friend last year).
Here are some choice results...5270G: 95,250 Euros. 5960P: 40,640 Euros. And the real eye-opener, the 5070G at an obscenely low 50,800 Euros. Yes it has some scratches and dings, but box and papers.
Prices are inclusive of the auction house premiums (but not tax).
I've never purchased a watch from an auction, but these prices seem very low, especially the 5070G and 5270G.
What's up? I could understand it if the auction was 5 or 6 years ago, but it's been only 7 months.
Comments and insights appreciated...
Are auction prices 'real'?
I was looking for some articles on the Patek ref. 5135P Annual Calendar. I came across a Sotheby's listing for an auction in September/October of 2025, so not too long ago. This one hammered at 25,400 Euros, or about $30,000 U.S. That seemed incredibly lo...
Published auction prices are correct
There are quite a number of auction houses these days so buyers are spoiled for choice and can afford to discriminate based on condition and originality of a watch and whether it comes as a complete set. The market today is nowhere as strong as five years...
I'm just so surprised...they seemed very low...
...I guess there are bargains to be had, assuming you see the watch in person...
And that is always the problem
seeing the watch in person especially if one lives in a different city to where the auction takes place. The gamble could be deemed to risky as one has to rely on the condition report and photos.
Yes, the auctioned prices are real
Ie people paid these sums for these pieces at the time. For better or worse Chk
These prices are real, i have attent a few auctions the last two years .
There are indeed bargains to find but also unrealistic prices for watches you can find online for a fraction of the auction result
These appear to be in the ballpark of secondary market prices.
Many sites inflate the price by at least 10-15% giving them a margin to negotiate. And when it comes to patek, unless it’s a nautilus or aquanaut, or a reference that was undervalued like a 3940 or 3970, prices are fairly flat. For example, I’ve been foll...