The auction industry’s digital revolution Over the last 12 months, the auction industry has been officially digitised. We catch up with Arthur Touchot to see how PHILLIPS – and its watch auctions – have moved with the times Published: Wednesday 27th January 2021 On 10 December 2019, Arthur Touchot was in New York for PHILLIPS’ final auction of the season. The sale, which hundreds of collectors from around the world flew in to attend in person, ended with a significant lot, an Urwerk Ref. UR-105 CT Iron wristwatch worn by Robert Downey Jr in Avengers. It sold for $312,500 – more than ten times the pre-sale low estimate, triggering thunderous applause from the crowd to close another big year for the auction house and then… silence.