Coventry Pocket Watch from 1907 Sells for Record £2.1 Million

In a remarkable turn of events, a pocket watch made in Coventry, England in 1907 has set a new world record for an antique British pocket watch. The timepiece, which was sold at an auction in Switzerland on November 9, 2025, fetched an astounding 2,238,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to £2,122,896.

The watch, which was made by the Coventry-based firm J. Player & Sons, is described as "one of the world's most complicated vintage pocket watches ever made." It features a range of intricate complications, including moon phases, an alarm, and a thermometer. The watch was previously owned by an anonymous collector who had kept it for over 50 years.

The record-breaking sale was attended by Carl Player, the 31-year-old great-great grandson of the watch's original maker. Player expressed a deep personal connection to the device, stating that he felt a "connection" to his ancestor when he held the watch during a pre-auction exhibition.

The auction house, Phillips Watches, confirmed that the sale of the J. Player & Sons Hyper Complication Pocket Watch had set a new world record. The brochure described the firm as a renowned Coventry-based watchmaker known for its complex and ornate timepieces, highlighting the incredible technical prowess of English watchmaking in the early 20th century.

The remarkable sale of this antique pocket watch not only showcases the enduring value of British craftsmanship but also underscores the continued fascination with rare and historically significant timepieces in the global auction market.