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Few names command as much respect in the world of fine watchmaking as Patek Philippe. This year has been particularly significant for the Geneva manufacturer, with two milestones that have captured the attention of collectors worldwide: the passing of Philippe Stern and the fiftieth anniversary of the Nautilus. Together, they serve as a reminder of why Patek Philippe continues to occupy such a unique position in the market.
Philippe Stern, who passed away in June at the age of 88, leaves behind one of the most influential legacies in modern watchmaking. During his presidency, he shaped the modern identity of Patek Philippe while remaining faithful to the values that have defined the manufacture for generations. His commitment to independence, traditional craftsmanship and long term thinking ensured that the company never lost sight of what made it exceptional.
His legacy is perhaps most visibly preserved through the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, a remarkable institution that reflects his determination to protect centuries of horological history for future generations. Yet his influence extended far beyond the preservation of the past. Under his leadership, Patek Philippe embraced a new vision for contemporary watchmaking by championing what would become one of the defining creations of the twentieth century: the Nautilus.
Introduced in 1976 and designed by Gérald Genta, the Nautilus was unlike anything Patek Philippe had produced before. Its bold aesthetic challenged traditional ideas of luxury watchmaking, yet Philippe Stern recognised its potential from the very beginning. Over the decades, he helped transform what was once considered a daring departure into one of the most recognisable and desirable wristwatches ever created.
Fifty years after its debut, that vision has proved remarkably enduring. While the speculative frenzy of recent years has eased, genuine collector demand remains exceptionally strong. Vintage references continue to command worldwide attention, while modern examples remain among the most liquid and sought after watches on the secondary market.
Few timepieces illustrate the strength of the Patek Philippe market more convincingly than the Nautilus.
The resilience of the manufacture was equally reflected in Adam’s most recent Fine Watches auction.
Although only seven Patek Philippe watches were offered, they realised a combined hammer total of €69,800, accounting for more than 23% of the hammer achieved by the leading brands in the sale.
The standout result was a Patek Philippe minute repeater mono pusher chronograph pocket watch, which achieved a hammer price of €21,000. It was another reminder that collectors continue to compete for exceptional Patek Philippe timepieces across every category, from historically important pocket watches to iconic wristwatches.
Recent auction results suggest that the market is entering a more mature phase rather than a weaker one. Buyers have become increasingly selective, rewarding originality, rarity and provenance above all else. For a manufacture whose philosophy has always favoured quality over quantity, those fundamentals continue to work firmly in its favour.
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"I should declare my hand. I have a weakness for pictures that punch above their physical weight, and for artists who have been quietly underrated for too long. This pair is both. They are intimate enough to live with at close quarters and serious enough to repay any amount of looking. If the market has lately shown signs of catching up with eighteenth-century Irish painting and I think it has, these two small panels feel, to me, like exactly the sort of thing that will look obvious in twenty years’ time."
Adam’s is honoured to present works from the collection of Lord Rossmore in the upcoming Country House Collections auction at Howth Castle on 28th April. It is seldom that an influential Irish family collection that has survived through the generations comes to the open market.
Works Sold at Adam’s Now in the Irish National Collection
A great opportunity to purchase both established and lesser-known artist’s work at an accessible price point, the Online Picture Auction is the first of many sales to be hosted at Adam’s in 2026. It is perfect for those looking to start a collection and the discerning collector alike.
Through this article, let our expert Adam Pearson guiding you to the (re)discovery of the once established Irish painter Richard O’Neill.
Buying at Auction and the Role of Antiques in a Modern Home
Important Irish Art Auction Highlights
Oliver Dowling Collection by Aidan Dunne
2024 is a year in which Adam’s wants to recognise the key role buying antique furniture and furnishings at auction contributes greatly to the sustainable initiative. In 2019 the Environmental Protection Agency reported stark figures that each year in Ireland 1.2 million reusable bulky items, primarily furniture goes into landfill. Similar to the problem of ‘fast fashion’, the constant production and consumption of new items is leading to rapidly growing waste problem. We want to acknowledge those who are already buying second hand or antique furniture at auction and to encourage new buyers by highlighting the benefits of acquiring affordable, well-made quality items that are built to last.
Irish author, recipe creator and lifestyle influencer, Indy Parsons, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
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Cork-born Irish actress, Sarah Greene, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Yvonne Aupicq had met Orpen, we understand, while working as a nurse during the war. He had been admitted to hospital with a suspected case of scabies which ended up being a far more serious case of blood poisoning as he recounts in his wartime memoir ‘An Onlooker in France’. Their relationship continued after 1918 when Orpen was appointed as the official artist to The Paris Peace Conference. They relocated to capital and over the following decade he painted her numerous times, often nude as in Amiens 1914, or The Rape and Nude Girl Reading (1921). Working with her as his model during these early years after the war allowed Orpen an opportunity to re-fuel his creativity.
Editor-in-Chief of IMAGE Publications, Lizzie Gore-Grimes, selects her favourite pieces from our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction
Our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches auction on September 13th features a prime example of Van Cleef & Arpel's renowned 'Mystery Setting'
James Adam & Sons Ltd, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, 26 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2,
D02 X665, Ireland
