So much has happened in the auction scene in 2017 that it can be said to be the ultimate record year for auctioneers.

In May, a rare Rolex Ref 6062 nicknamed Bao Dai (after the Vietnamese emperor who owned it) went under the hammer at a Phillips watch auction in Geneva for over US$5 million (RM19.5 million). This came just six months after the auctioneer sold a stainless steel Patek Philippe perpetual calendar Ref 1518 for US$11,136,642 (RM43.3 million).

In October, Phillips again made headlines as it commanded a New York auction for the Paul Newman Daytona, which had been owned and worn by the legend himself. Bidding started at US$1 million (RM3.9 million) and closed at US$17.8 million (RM69.5 million), making it the most expensive Rolex and wristwatch of all time.

With the auction scene on fire over the past couple of years, more people are turning to it not just to hunt for rare treasures but simply to buy or sell anything from pre-owned and limited-edition pieces to out-of-production references – and unearthing a few new gems in the process.