Rare steel watch estimated at $240,000 sells for $1.016m in New York

A rare stainless-steel watch by independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen sold for $1.016 million at a Phillips auction in New York on October 9, 2026, substantially exceeding its highest estimate of $240,000. The timepiece, a Voutilainen 28Sport Limited Edition numbered 5 of 8, was offered by its original owner and sold for more than four times its upper estimate of $240,000. According to the official Phillips auction listing, the watch featured a blue guilloché dial surrounding a black onyx centre and came with its certificate and original presentation box. The result highlights the demand for rare watches made by independent horologists, particularly pieces distinguished by limited production and detailed craftsmanship.A rare watch far exceeds its estimateThe watch was lot 22 in Phillips Watches Online: The New York Sessions Fall 2026. The auction house estimated it at $120,000 to $240,000, but it ultimately sold for $1,016,000, including the buyer’s premium.