Phillips unveils rare timepieces for Geneva Watch Auction: XXI

Which watch is your favorite?

By Andrew McGrotty Published March 27, 2025

Patek Philippe watch on grey background for Phillips Auction — Phillips

Phillips, in association with Bacs & Russo, revealed prominent pieces for its upcoming Geneva Watch Auction: XXI. It is scheduled for May 10-11, 2025. The esteemed auction house’s initial live watch transaction for that year includes nearly 200 unusual timekeepers. Among them are a few remarkable watches — they now hold much appeal for serious collectors.

The auction’s headline is the sole known Patek Philippe Reference 3448 in pink gold. This exceptional discovery denotes one of the most remarkable finds in current vintage timepiece acquisition. Between 1962 and 1981, they mainly made this automatic perpetual calendar using yellow gold and white gold. Because it lacked prior documentation in this valuable metal, it has a lot of potential to break records. This watch is from 1968.

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A remarkable item is a Rolex Daytona Reference 6264 “Paul Newman Lemon” in yellow gold, which dates back to circa 1970. This very uncommon, exotic dial displays a unique yellow chronograph track. Collectors call it “Lemon” because of this feature. It was unknown to buyers, having been in a family safe since 1996. This finding adds to the detailed story of Paul Newman Daytona watches.

Rolex collectors who appreciate older models will find a pink gold Reference 8171 “Padellone” triple calendar moonphase appealing. These particular models, equipped with triple calendar and moonphase functions, show some of the most intricate mechanisms Rolex ever built. The pink gold version, circa 1950, attracts strong interest.

“At Phillips Watches, we pride ourselves on our commitment to curating the extraordinary,” said Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches, Continental Europe & Middle East, and Tiffany To, Head of Sale, in a joint statement. “Our upcoming Geneva auction is no exception, as we have meticulously selected timepieces that are not only rare but also tell a unique story.”

More modern watch selections are just as notable. A 2025 prototype of what could be the slimmest watch globally, the Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing, is present. An F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain from 2019 includes a scarce ruby center.

A remarkable white gold Universal Genève Polerouter with a hand-crafted bracelet stands out. This distinctive object will be auctioned for charity. It shows an unusual creation of the well-known Gérald Genta plan.

The Geneva Watch Auction: XXI opens Phillips Watches’ tenth year.

Andrew McGrotty

Andrew is a full-time freelance writer with expertise in the luxury sector. His content is informative and always on trend.

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Fashion & Style

Tudor honors cycling legend with yellow Pelagos tribute watch

Tudor celebrates cycling champion's Tour de France with exclusive timepiece

Tudor fxd chrono yellow promo pic

Tudor announced the release of its Pelagos FXD Chrono "Yellow," a limited edition watch honoring Swiss cycling legend Fabian Cancellara as he returns to the Tour de France after nearly a decade away from the sport's most prestigious event.
The 300-piece collection celebrates Cancellara's remarkable Tour de France legacy, where he wore the race leader's yellow jersey for 29 days and claimed eight stage victories during his professional career. The watch serves as both tribute and talisman as Cancellara transitions from retired champion to team owner of Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
"Every child has heroes; someone they look up to. For me, it was the Tour that produced those heroes," Cancellara said in a statement. "This was where my personal heroes were formed."
Cancellara last competed in the Tour de France in 2016 before retiring shortly after. His return to the race in 2025 marks a significant milestone, not as a competitor but as the leader of a team he conceived just three years ago.
The limited-edition timepiece reflects Tudor's partnership with professional cycling and its ambassador's storied career. Number 7 of the collection has been reserved for Cancellara, matching his signature racing number.
Known for his prowess in time trials and one-day classics, Cancellara emerged as an international cycling star after his breakthrough performance in the 2004 Tour de France prologue. His career trajectory from relatively unknown rider to global cycling icon mirrors the evolution of his current team.
"The pain is temporary, but the memories from this race last forever," Cancellara noted, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of professional cycling.
The Pelagos FXD Chrono "Yellow" features Tudor's signature diving watch design adapted for cycling professionals, incorporating elements that reference the iconic yellow jersey worn by Tour de France race leaders.
Tudor Pro Cycling Team, under Cancellara's direction, represents his vision of nurturing the next generation of cycling talent. The limited-edition watch symbolizes both his past achievements and future aspirations in the sport.
The timepiece will be available through select Tudor retailers, with each of the 300 pieces individually numbered.

Fashion & Style

Zenith’s summer dream watch ends epic Surfer collaboration

Zenith and Time+Tide complete surfer trilogy with white ceramic masterpiece

Skyline skeleton surfer ceramic blue background

Zenith and Time+Tide have completed their celebrated "Surfer Trilogy" with the release of the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic, marking the third and final collaboration between the Swiss manufacturer and the Australian watch media company.
The 100-piece limited edition follows the success of previous collaborations: the micro-blasted titanium Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer in 2021 and the Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero in 2023. Both earlier releases sold out quickly, establishing this partnership as one of the watch industry's most successful ongoing collaborations.
The new White Surfer Ceramic maintains the signature blue gradient openworked dial concept that appears across all three editions while introducing a fresh summer aesthetic. The 41mm white ceramic case offers scratch resistance and ultra-light comfort, making it suitable for beach activities with 10 ATM water resistance.
"With this third chapter in our collaboration, we're not just continuing a story, we're elevating it," said Benoît de Clerck, CEO of Zenith. "Each edition has deepened our creative dialogue, and this new release is the boldest expression yet of what we can achieve together."
The timepiece features a gradient blue dial that transitions from darker blue at the top to light blue at the bottom. The bridges adopt Zenith's five-pointed star design filled with Super-LumiNova, a feature previously seen only in the original Night Surfer model.
Powering the watch is the skeletonized automatic El Primero 3620 SK caliber, rendered in matching blue tones. The high-frequency movement beats at 5Hz and offers approximately 55 hours of power reserve. Its 1/10th second hand is driven directly from the escapement, maintaining Zenith's chronograph heritage.
"There's a huge risk in trying for a trilogy when the first two collabs have been so popular," noted Andrew McUtchen, founder of Time+Tide. "But when we saw the prototype of an 'inverted' Night Surfer, in brushed white ceramic, we just had to make it happen."
The watch includes both an integrated white ceramic bracelet and a white patterned rubber strap. Zenith's quick strap-change mechanism allows tool-free switching between options, enhancing versatility for different activities.
The Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic represents a significant departure from the darker titanium finishes of previous collaborations, embracing a lighter, summer-focused aesthetic while maintaining the technical excellence that defined the series.
The limited edition will be available through Time+Tide, authorized Zenith retailers worldwide, and Zenith's physical and online boutiques. Given the rapid sellout history of previous Surfer editions, collectors are expected to act quickly when the watch becomes available.
With this release, Zenith and Time+Tide conclude what has become one of the most successful ongoing collaborations in contemporary watchmaking, spanning four years and three distinct timepieces that redefined collaborative watch design.

Fashion & Style

How to spot a true limited edition watch (and avoid overpriced hype)

The truth about limited edition watches: How brands fake exclusivity

A row of four luxury watches.

‘Limited edition’ is a term long linked with exclusivity, prestige, and rarity – in the realm of luxury timepieces, this typically comes with hefty price tags. But what if it references only the term and is merely the illusion of exclusivity? No two brands are the same, and the same applies to two limited editions. While some are actually scarce, many others are simply marketing tools used to build up hype and create an artificial demand for the item. Watch enthusiasts understand the intricacies in order to avoid purchasing exclusivity that does not exist. It is important to know thy luxury, plus when and why limited editions aren’t always rare.

Playing the numbers game