It’s an exceptional sale, according to Adrien Denoyelle, the auctioneer organising the sale via Lux Auction Luxembourg. “A sale like this with so many luxury watches of such quality from a seizure is something that is virtually unique on a global scale.” While both the Bureau de gestion des actifs (BGA) and Lux Auction are remaining discreet about the provenance of these timepieces, it is understood that almost all of the lots come from the 842 watches confiscated in 2022 from entrepreneur following his conviction for misuse of company assets. The entrepreneur had used the funds from these companies to build up his collection. An initial sale of 150 luxury watches, most of which came from this seizure, was held last June under the same conditions.

Boxes and papers a must

Insiders will smile at the detail: many of the watches seized from Becca had neither papers nor boxes. And on 29 March, many of the watches on offer will be sold without boxes or papers. For a collector, this is heresy. Even for watches of a certain age, having the original box is mission impossible, because their lifespan is limited compared to that of the timepieces on offer. Most of the time, so-called ‘service’ cases are offered by default. Today, it is easier to obtain a 1969 Omega Speedmaster than its original box, which was made of cardboard at the time.

More serious is the question of the original papers. First, because they attest to the origin of the timepiece on offer. But above all, because they allow you to insure the watch. For some models worth well over €10,000, precision is important. On this point, Denoyelle is reassuring: “All the watches in the catalogue have been examined by approved experts. We guarantee the authenticity of these watches 100% and the purchase invoice will act as a guarantee and can be used as proof for insurance purposes.”

This advice applies to anyone wishing to buy a secondhand watch, whether at auction or from a specialist dealer: you must demand a certificate of origin to avoid unpleasant surprises. Particularly when it comes to Rolexes. Rolex is a highly counterfeited brand, and the quality of the fakes is improving so much that the Crédit Municipal in France--the public institution with the monopoly on pawnbroking in France--has been refusing Rolexes for some months now, especially the professional steel models.

Exceptional models

Of the 202 watches on offer, some are worth a diversion and should fetch a price higher than the estimate given. This will certainly be the case with lot 136, which features a Vacheron Constantin Grande complication in gold with a complete perpetual calendar (day/month/date/moon phase) and a minute strike that can be activated at the hours and quarters. A limited series numbered 14 and estimated at between €80,000 and €150,000.

Another model that should not leave collectors indifferent is lot 173, a Rolex Milgauss from 1959. The model on offer is 6541, the very first version of this timepiece, launched in 1956 at the request of scientists specialising in electromagnetic fields. This model was designed to withstand magnetic fields of a thousand Gauss, hence its name. It’s estimated at between €40,000 and €60,000. There were also two Hublot Ayrton Sennas (lots 12 and 17) and a Gerald Genta Mickey at the low base price of €1,000.

If all the lots were to be sold at their rock-bottom prices, the sale would bring in €1.675m for the Bureau de gestion des avoirs, which is organising this public auction in its capacity as the state’s agent for the management and sale of seized or confiscated assets.

Over 600 buyers expected

The sale will take place on 29 March 2025 at the Casino 2000 in Mondorf-les-Bains. Those wishing to attend in person are asked to register in advance via The auction will also be available online or by telephone, subject to prior registration. A detailed catalogue of the watches offered for sale, as well as a dedicated website, can be accessed via the same site. Interested parties can examine the watches on site on 25, 26, 27 and 28 March 2025, according to a specific schedule, after registering online. On the day of the sale, only photos of the watches will be shown. The last event attracted 600 people. Denoyelle is expecting many more this time, especially “latecomers who missed the first sale.”

For those unable to attend, the BGA still has some 500 luxury timepieces in its vaults.

This article was originally published in .