Pharrell's Joopiter Auction Offloads Exclusive Watch Collection Exceeding $1 Million

Within the span of nearly two weeks, an impressive lineup of watches was available for affluent collectors to explore.

Pharrell Williams, known for his music and entrepreneurial spirit, saw his digital auction house, Joopiter, surpass the $1 million mark through the sale of exquisite watches from prestigious brands like Rolex, Cartier, and Hermès, during the month of July.

Described as a carefully curated mix of collectible timepieces that transcend various styles across different eras, the auction has raised curiosity about whether any of the pieces belonged to Williams' own collection, given his known affinity for some of the auctioned brands.

Robertino Altieri, the head of WatchGuys.com, noted the diverse array of the collection, which included revered rare finds, older models, and Japanese designs that fetched surprisingly high prices.

Notably, two unique creations from Ōtsuka Lōtec were sold for $12,500 and $13,750, prices considerably above their usual market value by about $10,000.

Five standout watches were responsible for more than half the total sales, together amounting to $756,250.

Highlights of the Auction's Top Watch Sales

Rolex Daytona Ref. 16519 'Sodalite': $43,750

The 'Sodalite' version of the Daytona exceeded expectations in terms of price. This piece, crafted with a beautiful blue sodalite dial adorned with diamond indexes, is notable for being the first Daytona made in white gold with a stone dial.

Altieri highlighted the strong performance of Rolex watches on the secondary market, emphasizing their continual reign in luxury timepieces.

Cartier Tank Cintrée Ref. WGTA0090 'NSO': $62,500

Altieri noted that this particular Cartier Tank Cintrée was a bespoke creation, explaining its high value. Its unique dial color, a rarity for Cartier, distinguished it for collectors. This piece originated from Cartier's now-concluded New Special Order initiative, as reported by Hodiknee.

Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18366 'Platinum Baguette Lapis Lazuli': $125,000

Characterized by a bezel set with 24 baguette-shaped diamonds, one at each hour, this Day-Date Rolex is regarded as an exclusive model not found in standard catalogs, pointing to Williams' preference for unique pieces. Altieri highlighted their strong market performance.

Richard Mille RM030 PSG: $137,500

Williams is commonly associated with Richard Mille watches, which are sporty and highly desirable. The RM030 PSG, linked with Paris Saint-Germain football club, reached a price lower than comparable models, which generally align at $250,000, possibly due to suggested servicing needs.

Patek Philippe Celestial Ref. 6104R-001: $387,500

Although this Patek Philippe fetched the highest auction price, Altieri notes it is on the lower end of its estimated market scope, between $400,000 and $700,000. With its diamond-encrusted bezel and cosmic design, the piece appeals to a niche group of collectors.