The biggest weekend of the year for vintage watches is approaching with the Geneva year-end auctions, where many prestigious houses are bringing their best pieces to market. In the first half of 2026, the number of million-dollar watches nearly eclipsed the total for the entirety of 2025, signaling a robust high-end market. GQ reporters Oren Hartov and Cam Wolf pored over hundreds of lots to select their 11 favorite watches for the upcoming sales, with several pieces estimated above one million dollars. [1]
Leading the auction highlights is the Rolex ref. 3830 Anti-Magnetique 'Verga,' a square timepiece from the early 1940s described by Phillips auction house as 'most probably unique.' Last sold in 2004, it carries an estimate in excess of $1,210,000. Its case shape bears a resemblance to Heuer’s blocky Monaco, which would not be released for another 25-plus years. Also notable is the Patek Philippe ref. 1436, a stainless steel split-seconds chronograph; with only two known examples, it holds an estimate between $2.4 million and $4.8 million. [1]
Other standout lots include a 1999 A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 in stainless steel with a rare navy-blue dial, estimated at roughly $365,800; an Urban Jürgensen ref. 2 perpetual calendar-moonphase in yellow gold, estimated at roughly $121,940; and a Chopard L.U.C. Lunar One combining a perpetual calendar and moonphase, estimated at $36,600. The bidding action also features a 1940s Rolex ref. 3525 'Bariletto' in stainless steel, estimated at $609,000, and a rare 1960s Patek Philippe ref. 2509 'School Watch' modified by a Geneva Watchmaking School student, estimated at $30,400. [1]
The catalog continues with a late 1940s Vacheron Constantin ref. 4072 in yellow gold (roughly $48,777), a Universal Geneve pink-gold watch with a cloisonné enamel dial depicting Saint George (roughly $36,600), and an F.P. Journe large stainless steel wall clock resembling the Octa Réserve de Marche (roughly $73,200). Even peripheral collectibles are fetching high sums, including a Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle from the 1980s ($2,500) and a rare Rolex GMT-Master poster ($4,900). [1]
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