PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
AuctionsJun 10, 2020
Patek Philippe Given to Former Surgeon General Sells for $50K
The top lot at Heritage Auction’s sale on Tuesday was a limited-edition Richard Mille that garnered $325,000.
The city of San Francisco gifted Rupert Blue this 18-karat gold Patek Philippe in 1908 for his work eradicating the bubonic plague from the city. It sold for $50,000 at auction on Tuesday, topping its high estimate by $5,000.
Dallas—The timepiece given to the physician who helped San Francisco beat back the bubonic plague and led the country through the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918 sold for $50,000 Tuesday at auction.
The 18-karat gold Patek Philippe was part of Dallas-based Heritage Auctions’ Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction, where it was estimated to sell for between $35,000 and $45,000.
The watch was a gift to American physician Rupert Blue.
When the pandemic known as the Spanish flu hit in 1918, Blue was the country’s surgeon general, counseling Americans to follow protocols that will sound familiar: wearing facial coverings, practicing social distancing, and closing establishments to large groups of people.
Blue was only 50 years old at the time but had already navigated several crises as a member of the U.S. Public Health Service, most notably the bubonic plague that swept through San Francisco in two waves at the turn of the century.
Blue understood the disease would only be cured if doctors figured out how it spread and who was impacted, and embarked on a campaign to disinfect the city and exterminate its rats.
When he left San Francisco to help other cities, its health department awarded Blue with a proclamation and the 18-karat gold split-second Patek Philippe chronograph pocket watch.
Its inside dust cover bears the following inscription (as seen in the picture above): “To Rupert Blue P.A. Surgeon, U.S.P.H. and M.H.S. from the citizens of San Francisco. In grateful recognition of services rendered the city while in command of the Sanitation Campaign of 1908.”
Heritage Auctions Watches & Fine Timepieces Director Jim Wolf said the piece “would have cost a handsome sum—close to $1,000 when manufactured in 1905.”
Tuesday’s watch auction realized $5.6 million total, more than twice the $2.7 million pre-auction estimate, with 19 of the auction’s 216 lots selling in the six figures.
The event’s top lot was the Richard Mille RM 11-03 seen above, No. 38 out of only 150 made to celebrate French former rally driver Jean Todt.
Made in 2018, the Flyback Chronograph sold for $325,000 after starting with an opening bid of $52,500.
Following just behind was a 2019 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept, Chronograph and Self-winding Peripheral Rotor, which sold for $312,500.
To view all results, visit Jewelry.HA.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
