Wow.
It’s all over.
Months of anticipation led to last night’s sale when Paul Newman’s legendary Daytona sold for a hammer price of $15.5 million ? $17.75 million after auction premium and before taxes. This makes it the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction, but not the most expensive watch overall ? the Henry Graves Grand Complication takes that prize.
The atmosphere was electric at Phillips showroom on Park Avenue. After Aurel Bacs started bidding at $1 million, an anonymous telephone bidder jumped the price immediately to $10 million. Over the next 12 minutes, two bidders battled while Mr. Bacs ? ever the showman ? deliberating between the two, consistently reminding the audience that whatever sum is reached is going towards the Nell Newman Foundation. Finally, the bidding slowed before settling at the astronomical price tag of $15.5 million. With a drop of the gavel, the most anticipated wristwatch in auction history was gone. Here is the rest of the top ten lots from last night.

Lot #50:
Patek Philippe, Ref. 1518
A pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phase indication and tachymeter scale from 1951 that was estimated to sell for between $600,000 and $1,200,000. It sold for $975,000.

Lot #47:
Philippe Dufour, Duality
A platinum wristwatch with double regulator, certificate and fitted presentation box from 1996 that was estimated to sell for between $200,000 and $400,000. It ended up selling for $915,000.

Lot #18:
Audemars Pig...