Auctioneer Aurel Bacs knows what makes watch enthusiasts tick, as he puts exquisite, rare and vintage timepieces on the auction block. For 30 years, Bacs has sold luxury timepieces at the world's most celebrated auction houses.

Aurel Bacs, a prominent auctioneer based in Zurich, has established himself as a central figure in the luxury watch auction world. Known for his charismatic presence and deep passion for horology, Bacs has been instrumental in driving high-profile sales, including the record-setting auction of Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona for nearly $17.8 million.

Since partnering with Philips in 2015 alongside his wife, Livia Russo, Bacs has overseen $1.6 billion in watch sales, attracting collectors from over 60 countries. His ability to engage bidders and create excitement has earned him a reputation as both a performer and a ringmaster, with many in the industry regarding him as the most influential person in watch auctions.

Auctioneer Aurel Bacs, "the Indiana Jones of watches"

Lot number one, ladies and gentlemen, the gavel is up, the gavel is once again up, and I have $50,000, $65,000. Let's start with a fabulous turquoise blue Rolex Oyster. Aurel Bax is such a commanding auctioneer, the hands on the watch he's selling should start clapping. $260, $270. He auctions exquisite timepieces. Some are gilded, some audacious, some iconic. Going twice, sold at $3 million. The prices could make a tycoon blush. Congratulations. On stage, he's alternately flamboyant, mischievous, beguiling. $175, $180. You see, Alex, I warned you about it. And the best in the world at imploring one watch lover to outspend another. Collecting is nothing rational. It's what you do with your heart. Yes, you use your brain too, but it's a love affair, and you cannot put limits on love. When did your love affair with watches begin? 11 or 12 years old. Falling in love with not a pretty 12-year-old girl, but with a watch. What about that watch was so alluring? I was fascinated by the features, the beauty of the details, a script, a color, a shape, a facet, that you say, wow, that's what I like. So we're here. Backs, now 54, grew up middle class here in Zurich. He caught the watch bug from his father. At 23, he had talked his way into Sotheby's as a junior watch expert. 30 years later, if the watch world has a celebrity, he's it. You have this incredible Calatrava. Backs walked us through the auction room at the annual Philips Watch Auction in Manhattan. From here, he juggles bids from multiple continents in multiple languages. He speaks five. His audience at Philips, 2,000 collectors and enthusiasts in 60 countries, bidding in person, on the phone, or online for 200 watches. Since he and his wife, Livia Russo, partnered with Philips in 2015, they have been responsible for $1.6 billion in watch sales. In the watch auction world, Barnard, he's the most influential person. Ben Clymer is one of the watch world's best-known voices. He's the founder of Hodinki, a luxury watch and lifestyle website. The watch is only worth what two people are willing to pay. He gets both the seller and the potential buyers hot for the same transaction. Every watch in this room could sell for a record if those two guys hate each other. Raise your paddles now because the gavel is up. Explaining passion, what makes people tick, is complicated. 600,000. Understanding it is Aurel Back's gift. Do you see yourself as a performer or as a ringmaster? A bit of everything. So they feel the adrenaline, they feel the excitement, the tensions, the rivalry. But everybody should be happy at the end. To many here in the room, the most iconic Rolex wristwatch in the world. In 2017, Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona came up for auction, a legendary moment in the world of orological exotica. I think we hoped on a good day it could make $4 million to $6 million. The opening bid, $1 million, then quickly $10 million. Officially at $15,500,000. The numbers kept climbing. Final sales price, nearly $17.8 million, a record. It is history now! You were as astounded as everyone else. Speechless. Just a huge release. Just every kind of high and low you can ever imagine in your professional life. It was amazing. Some call me the Indiana Jones of watches. I'm hunting, I'm searching, I'm romantic. I'm looking for that next grail. Will the Paul Newman record ever be beaten? There will be a $50 million watch. Oh yeah. The community is growing. $50 million. 5-0. You bet. And you want to be there for that? Of course. I love a good adrenaline rush. No doubt.

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