While eBay may not immediately spring to mind when it comes to buying high-end watches, collectors and aficionados know that some some real treasures can surface on the online auction site (especially now that it offers a program that authenticates watches from selected sellers). The website this week released its list of 20 most expensive purchases of 2018 and two watches made the list. A third just missed making it by less than US$1,000 (about CA$1,300). The most expensive watch sold on eBay this year was a a Patek Philippe Grand Complications which went for US$535,499.99 (about CA$730,000).
A Richard Mille RM11 Flyback Chronograph Rose Gold Titanium watch was the second most expensive time piece (and 19th most expensive item) on eBay’s list. It sold for US$148,000 (about CA$201,000).
Rounding out the top five were the following:
- Audemars Piguet Millenary MC12 Tourbillon in platinum (US$145,000 / about CA$198,000)
- F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Platinum (US$120,000 / about CA$163,000)
- a vintage Rolex GMT Master Automatic mens watch (US$91,201.99 / about CA$124,000)
If you’re curious, the most expensive item to sell on eBay this year was a lunch with Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett. It sold for US$3,300,100 (about CA$4,500,000) with proceeds going to GLIDE, a charity with the mission of breaking the cycles of poverty and marginalization.
It will be interesting to see if the eBay Authenticate program will attract more sellers and more expensive watches in 2019. Will we see a watch break the US$1 million mark on eBay next year? Let us know below if you think it could happen.
Source : eBay