A Patek Philippe watch from 1943 was sold for 15.2 million euros at an auction.

A Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Reference 1518, made in 1943, was sold at the auction organized by Phillips for 14,190,000 Swiss francs (approximately 17.6 million dollars), surpassing the previous record of 11 million francs obtained in 2016. This model is one of only four known watches made of stainless steel, which gives it a particular rarity, being more sought after than those made of gold.

The auction lasted just under nine minutes and attracted five bidders, with the watch being sold to a telephone bidder. Patek Philippe produced approximately 280 Ref. 1518 watches, most of them in gold, and the rarity of those in stainless steel gives them a mythical status in the world of collectors. The total sales of the auction exceeded 66.8 million Swiss francs, setting a new record for a watch auction.