New York, 17 May 2022 – Important Watches of Exceptional Provenance, presented across two evening sessions on June 8 and 9, will be offering a total of 137 lots, among which are some of the finest horological masterpieces to appear at auction. Estimated in excess of US$14 million, this sale marks a historic high for Christie’s New York.

The first evening, on 8 June, will present Lots 1-68 of The Kairos Collection Part III - the finest collection of Patek Philippe contemporary timepieces to be offered. Following Part I in Geneva and Part II in Hong Kong, the grand finale in New York offers marvels of Grandes Complications such as the Ref. 5531R-012, an exceptional 18k rose gold minute repeating world time wristwatch with miniature cloisonné enamel dial, the Ref. 5950/1A-010 (one of just 10 ever made), steel cushion-shaped split seconds single button chronograph wristwatch with blue dial and bracelet, and the Ref. 5740/1G-001, a very rare and quite striking perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indicator, moon phases and bracelet, and the first example ever to be offered publicly with a dual signature by Tiffany & Co.

The second evening, on 9 June, will present Lots 69-137, with a focus on vintage and modern icons with exceptional provenance. Among the watches consigned by their original owner or original family, and sourced exclusively in the Americas, are: extraordinarily rare and important Patek Philippe 18k white gold 3448G “Red Dot”; a newly discovered Rolex steel Daytona Ref. 6263, MK 1 “Paul Newman Oyster Sotto”; as well as the early and eminently desirable F. P. Journe platinum Chronomètre à Résonance with brass movement.

Other highlights include historically significant examples such as the The Great Escape 3525 Rolex, the personal watch of RAF Lt. Gerald Imeson wore as a POW and that was instrumental in planning and executing “The Great Escape” on March 24^th, 1944.

From 3 to 8 June, these masterpieces will be on display at Christie's New York, 20 Rockefeller Center. The exhibition, open to the public, tells the stories behind these great legends of watchmaking history.

Keith Davis, Head of Watches, Christie’s Americas: “For these two sensational evening sales, Christie’s Watches New York has been entrusted with a spectacular array of over 130 watches from exceptional private ownership and collections. The first evening will be dedicated to the finale of The Kairos Collection, which will showcase 68 incredible treasures of the modern evolution of Perpetual Calendar Chronographs, Split-Chronographs, Métiers d'Art artisanal techniques, World Time references and Complications along with an array of never before seen dual signed Tiffany & Co Dials. The second evening will be dedicated to 69 lots of extremely rare watches with the majority having original owner/family provenance, as well as historically important timepieces. Of note, all lots offered have been sourced from the America’s. We are thrilled to be building on the momentum of the incredible sales we've achieved so far this year and to be closing the Christie’s Watches Spring-Summer season with one of the most important timepiece auctions of 2022.”