Monaco, April 26–27, 2025 — In a season marked by economic jitters and a shifting landscape in luxury, the Monaco Legend Group (MLG) made a clear statement: excellence, rarity, and provenance still dominate the high-end watch market.
Their two-day “Exclusive Timepieces” auction, hosted at the Méridien Beach Plaza in Monaco, achieved a total of €16,638,150, with a 95.87% sell-through rate — underscoring not just strong curation, but a confident collector base that knows exactly what it wants.
This sale wasn’t just about the numbers, though €16.6M and nearly 96% sold speak volumes. It was about a shift. Monaco Legend Group, co-chaired by Claude Cohen and Davide Parmegiani, continues to dismantle traditional auction norms by offering tighter, more intentional catalogues.
With Geneva and Hong Kong setting the usual cadence, Monaco’s biannual MLG auctions are fast becoming the most daring, well-curated alternative on the circuit. They aren’t trying to move volume — they’re rewriting how taste and history are presented at auction.
Adding further firepower, Corrado Mattarelli—formerly of Christie’s and an industry legend in his own right—has joined as Deputy Chairman of the Watch Department. The message? MLG is not playing catch-up; it’s setting pace.
For the new wave of collectors—the ones who blur the lines between collecting, curating, and investing—this auction reinforced a key truth: Context and curation matter. It’s no longer just about brands. It’s about why, who, and how a watch lives.
As auction cycles get louder and more global, MLG’s Monaco formula—intimate setting, big energy, top-tier provenance—is creating the blueprint for the future.
Key Auction Highlights – MLG Spring 2025
Collector Grails – Rare Rolex & Patek Icons
| Timepiece | Reference & Configuration | Key Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patek Philippe | Ref. 1526, Pink-on-Pink, Casa Masson-signed | Perpetual calendar, pink dial + pink gold case, Latin American retailer signature | Museum-level rarity — Latin American history meets perpetual calendar elegance |
| Rolex | Ref. 6062, Stainless Steel | Triple calendar moonphase in an untouched steel Oyster case | Moonphase complication in tool watch steel — grail-level reference |
| Rolex GMT-Master | “Albino” Ref. 1675 | White dial, military provenance | Rare configuration with service background — collector’s unicorn |
Military & Historical Masterpieces
| Timepiece | Reference & Configuration | Key Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breguet | Tourbillon Pocket Watch, Lot 119 | Tourbillon + rattrapante + minute repeater; attributed to Allen Dulles | Mechanical trifecta with CIA provenance — complexity meets Cold War history |
| Eberhard | Modello Magini, Lot 237 | 51mm Air Force-issued rattrapante; modified Valjoux 55 | Oversized Italian military chronograph — bold and historically significant |
MLG’s Monaco format reflects a wider shift in the watch auction landscape—prioritizing focused experiences and quality over scale. It represents one of several evolving approaches shaping how collectors and the market engage today.
Full results and lineup on the Monaco Legend Group’s auction page.
