PRESS RELEASE: 214 Rare Watches
Geneva - Christie’s auction of Rare Watches on 11 November will offer collectors a selection of some truly extraordinary timepieces dating from the early 19th century to the present day. Comprising 214 lots consigned from some of the world’s greatest collections and over 85% from private owners, the auction will showcase several spectacular newly discovered and fresh to the market timepieces, important rarities as well as the most desired models of modern watch production from renowned Swiss watch houses. The auction is expected to fetch in excess of CHF10 million.
In a class of its own, the undoubted star of the sale is the legendary Henry Graves Jr. Patek Philippe yellow gold tonneau minute repeater wristwatch of 1927, sold to Henry Graves Jr. on 16 June 1928. The American multi-millionaire (1868-1953) was perhaps Patek Philippe’s greatest client of the first half of the 20th century (separate press release available here / estimate: CHF3,000,000-5,000,000).
The carefully curated Patek Philippe wristwatch selection of 44 lots furthermore includes a 1938 vintage reference 533, sector dial chronograph wristwatch with Extract confirmed pulsometer, or “doctor’s” dial, thought to be the earliest yellow gold example of the reference with such dial known to date (estimate CHF200,000-400,000 / illustrated left).
The Patek Philippe reference 5016 with minute repeating, perpetual calendar, tourbillon and moon phases, is one of Patek Philippe's most complicated and legendary wristwatches of the company’s modern production. Always an event when any 5016 is offered at auction, Christie’s presents a unique special-order version in platinum with black dial and “Ferrari” red indications. The property of the original owner and completely fresh to the market, it was made in 2005 upon his request. (estimate: CHF700,000-1,000,000 / illustrated above right).
A highly important Rolex reference 6262 Cosmograph Daytona in 18 K gold with black dial and “Cherry Logo” signature has the distinction of not only being fresh to the market but also featuring prominently four pages in the book “Ultimate Rolex Daytona” by Pucci Papaleo, the acknowledged “bible” for Cosmograph collectors. Made in 1970 for only a year, just 35 examples were made in 18K gold (estimate: CHF340,000-540,000).
The property of an important French private collector, the Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman Panda” reference 6265 dating from 1971 is another exceptional highlight. In excellent original overall condition, it is accompanied by the original guarantee and box. The reference 6265 is the most uncommon reference with “Paul Newman Panda” dial, considered as one of the most attractive wristwatch dials ever produced (estimated CHF320,000-520,000).
The Nautilus is perhaps the most recognisable Patek Philippe wristwatch of the last 40 years, enjoying cult status among collectors. For this auction, Christie’s has sourced several fresh to the market examples. Showcasing the original classic steel reference 3700 first launched in 1976 is an extremely rare early model from 1978, formerly the property of Prince Nicholas Romanov (1922-2014) and passed down by direct descent to the present owner. It will be presented with the original cork Nautilus box, in itself a collector’s piece, the lot is estimated at CHF70,000-100,000.
Christie’s Geneva traditionally presents the very finest vintage ROLEX of the highest caliber, rarity and originality. This auction is no exception and includes some outstanding Daytonas and Submariners consigned from private owners and never before seen at auction.
One of the most exciting and significant new discoveries in the world of vintage Rolex Submariners is a very special “explorer dial - big crown” reference 6200 from circa 1954. Already a very rare reference with only about 300 manufactured in total, this watch rewrites the history of the model as a hitherto unknown version with depth rating “200m=660ft” printed on its dial – to date, the only known example of its type. It is also one of the very few watches of the reference to have a “Chronometer Certified” movement (estimate: CHF250,000-350,000 / illustrated first page left).
The hugely desirable Rolexes specially commissioned for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman are represented by another fresh to the market watch, a superb 18K gold Submariner reference 1680 with the Sultan’s emblem, the “Khanjar” printed on the blue dial. Made circa 1973, it is one of the rarest and most attractive, versions among Omani Submariners and is estimated at CHF150,000-250,000/ illustrated left.
THE TACT OF POCKET WATCHES
Headlining the pocket watch selection of 20 lots is a very rare musical automaton quarter repeating watch of circa 1810, attributed to the great Geneva watchmaker Henri Capt. Formerly in the B. Franck Collection, Paris, it features a further concealed painted enamel erotic scene beneath the back cover activated by the repeating. This double-sided watch plays music at will and while the music plays, applied chased gold automaton figures of a gentleman playing the mandolin and a seated lady playing the lyre move their arms and two birds in an arbour, one moving towards the other with the music (estimate: CHF100,000-150,000 / illustrated first page centre).
An important and extremely rare Patek Philippe pocket watch is the “montre à tact” made in 1856 and formerly the property of Prince Nikolaj Nikolaevich zu Sayn und Wittgenstein (1862-1934 / estimate: CHF30,000-50,000). La montre à tact or the tactful watch was originally invented by Abraham Louis Breguet in the 1790s during an epoch when it was regarded as unseemly to read the time in public. The "à tact" system helped to tell the time in polite society without taking the watch out of your pocket. Only one other example by Patek Philippe is known, housed at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.
