Dubai: A rare Cartier timepiece has led a record-breaking auction at Sotheby's, underlining the continued strength of the global luxury watch market.

The auction house’s latest “Important Watches” sale generated a total of $52.9 million (approximately Dh194 million), making it one of its strongest watch auctions in Asia. The standout result came from Cartier, with a rare yellow-gold Cartier London Crash from 1987 selling for $2 million (around Dh7.3 million), setting a new record for the brand at Sotheby’s.

The watch drew intense interest from collectors, triggering a multi-minute bidding battle across phone, online, and in-room participants. The final price was more than double its pre-sale estimate, reflecting strong demand for rare, design-led vintage pieces. Only a handful of such models are believed to exist, adding to its appeal.

Cartier was a major driver of the sale’s success.…