A second Patek Philippe, a 1954 platinum perpetual calendar wristwatch -- which recently emerged after spending more than half a century in a family safe -- netted $3.1 million.

"It never saw the light of day. The original owner's nephew didn't realise what he had," Bacs said.

It was bought by a European collector who chose to remain anonymous.

Christie's sold 346 watches for a total of $25 million.

"Twelve different bidders from four continents competed for the two top lots," it said, referring to the pair of Patek Philippes.

At rival Sotheby's on Sunday night, a chronograph wristwatch which belonged to an Italian racing driver fetched 2.345 million Swiss francs ($2.25 million).

The large gold Patek Philippe watch originally owned by Count Carlo Felice Trossi, president of Scuderia Ferrari, went for the highest price ever for a wristwatch sold at Sotheby's, the auction house said.

Its new owner remains anonymous.

In the photograph: A gold and rock-crystal pocket watch made for the French queen Marie Antoinette by the 18th century French watchmaker Abraham Louis Breguet. It is now at L A Meyer Museum of Islamic Art at Jerusalem, Israel.

Photograph: Getty Images