Is there anything the man can’t turn his hand to? Singer turned creative director Pharrell Williams has been flexing his auctioneer muscle (a strong hammering hand?) via his online marketplace-come-auction house, Joopiter, which has been around since 2022 and launched with the sale of rarities from his own collection.
With a personal penchant for covetable cultural objects with unique stories – plus a pretty impressive curation of ultra-rare timepieces to his name – it’s no surprise that the platform has now forayed into the world of watches, and this week the hammer went down on Joopiter’s inaugural watch auction, aptly titled The Art of Time.
The standing ovation-worthy lineup included 28 rare models, spanning nearly 100 years of watchmaking. Spotlighted for their rarity and cultural relevance, foundational references are joined by true pieces of collector catnip, including an avant-garde Rolex Day-Date with a seldom-seen lapis lazuli dial and baguette diamond bezel.
Here’s five noteworthy mentions that our paddles would have been up for.
5 of the best watches at Pharrell’s Joopiter auction
Patek Philippe Celestial Ref. 6104R-001
Patek Philippe’s celestial complications are among the most poetic in modern watchmaking. In 2000, the brand debuted the Star Calibre 2000, a pocket watch displaying a rotating sky chart, lunar orbit, and the meridian passage of Sirius and the Moon. These features appeared in wristwatch form two years later with reference 5102, then in 2012, the design evolved into the 6102, featuring a larger case and date hand. The diamond-set 6104G and rose gold 6104R followed, blending astronomy with unadulterated opulence. Today, the 6104R-001 remains the only diamond-set celestial model in production.
Estimate: $300,000 – 600,000
Final: $387,500
Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18366
This Rolex Day-Date ref. 18366 is a rare and exceptional variant, especially with its striking lapis lazuli dial. Believed to have been produced from 1989, it houses the caliber 3155 “double quickset” movement and features a bezel set with 24 baguette-cut diamonds – two per hour. Crafted in platinum, this version elevates the already iconic President watch to a whole new level. The lapis dial, with its deep blue hue and natural golden flecks, is heading to its lucky new owner in pristine condition, free of any visible cracks, making it rarer still.
Estimate: $100,000 – 130,000
Final: $125,000
Louis Vuitton Monterey II “LV2”
It wouldn’t be an auction curated by Pharrell without a LV mention. The Monterey II “LV2” had eagle-eyed watch aficionados double taking on the maison’s fall/winter 2025 runway, styled over shirt sleeves as well as worn around the neck. The model was first designed by Italian architect Gae Aulenti in the 1980s and produced by IWC, but has seen huge hype of late with a new interest from Gen Z on socials. Its appearance in yet another Pharrell-centred universe – plus a final selling price way over its estimate – certainly fuels the fire of an immanent relaunch…
Estimate: $8,000 – 12,000
Final: $25,000
Richard Mille RM030 PSG
There’s been nothing subtle about the auction lineup so far, but this Richard Mille RM030 PSG has Pharrell’s bold aesthetic written all over it. A limited edition of just 100 pieces created in collaboration with football powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, it features the team’s logo replacing the usual model name, as well as signature red and blue colorway. It’s powered by the innovative RMAR1 automatic movement with a patented declutchable rotor, which disengages at 50 hours of power reserve and re-engages at 40, ensuring consistent torque and accuracy.
Estimate: $100,000 – 200,000
Final: $137,500
Ōtsuka Lōtec No. 6 “Early Production”
There’s aruguably nowhere better in the world for vintage watches than Japan, and with Pharrell’s longstanding connection to Japanese design, it’s no surprise that we found an incredible piece of horology from the region in the curation.
The Ōtsuka Lōtec No. 6 is a striking creation by independent Japanese watchmaker Jiro Katayama, known for his avant-garde, steampunk-inspired designs. Produced in very limited numbers and sold only in Japan via lottery, the No. 6 features a retro-industrial aesthetic, with a straight-brushed steel case, eight-screw bezel, and an instrument-like dial. This early 2020 example predates global acclaim and lacks serial numbering, marked only “P6.” In 2024, the No. 6 won the GPHG Challenge Prize, cementing Katayama’s place in the world of independent horology (and in someone’s collection for a wallet-aching $13,750).
Estimate: $5,000 – 10,000
Final: $13,750
You can see the final hammer prices for all 28 rare watches here.