Highlights from Christie's Geneva Rare Watches
The auction house Christie's in Geneva held its “important watches” auction this week, and the result of the auction shows that Rolex continues to be more than red hot.
Text: Britta Rossander
Photo: Christie's
Auction house Christie's in Geneva held an auction for "important watches" this week and the auction's result shows that vintage Rolex continues to go strong.
It became a White Glove auction where Rolex topped the final price list and Christie's announced after the auction had concluded that remarkably many young collectors were present. They counted that 51% of the new bidders were millennials which bodes well for future watch collecting continued good days for the auction houses.
16 record sales
That it was a very large global participation is shown by the numbers of the registered bidders whose addresses could be found in 46 countries on six continents. This does indeed suggest a huge international interest in vintage watches and previously owned ones. In total the sale ended at 23 840 700 CHF where 16 records for Christie's were included.
The head of the watch department said after the auction concluded that:
– That Rolex continues to reach high prices is certainly due to the new and young bidders. Our market is opening up properly for those who have never before been part of a live hammer auction. Not unexpectedly Daytonas became the show's "queens" but Cartier also showed that iconic models such as the Crash which reached 819 000 CHF has a special drawing power.
We at Eqotime have below picked out a bunch of watches that were sold. It is lovely eye candy.
Lot 14 – Rolex Daytona 116509 Chrysoprase dial
Rolex Daytona in white gold with green chrysoprase dial ref 116509, sold for 201 600 CHF (estimate 50 000 – 70 000 CHF). One could well call that a smashing price.
Lot 38 – Rolex Daytona 6269 "Jack of Diamonds"
Rolex Daytona in a luxury version in gold with diamonds and sapphires made for the French market in 1985. Sold for 1 614 000 CHF (estimate 1 100 000 – 2 000 000)
One of the most ultimate vintage Daytonas out there. Only one other known example has the French import hallmarks on the watch.
Lot 40 – Breguet Triple Calendar Chronograph
Fewer than 10 watches in this configuration are known to the market. An unusual watch with calendar function, chronograph and moon phase in steel from 1963. Sold for 176 000 CHF (estimate 100 000 – 200 000).
Lot 65 – Patek Philippe 5959R Split Second Chronograph by Tiffany & Co
Patek Philippe Limited edition in rose gold with split second chronograph ref, 5959R-001 sold by Tiffany & Co.
The watch is basically a replica of Patek Philippe's first split second chronograph from 1923. Limited to only 15 examples. Sold for 453,600 CHF (estimate 140 000 – 230 000 CHF). Everything with Tiffany & Co seems to become expensive right now.
Lot 66 – Patek Philippe 5074R Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater
Yet another matchless creation sold by Tiffany & Co. The reference 5074 is one of the most complex and rarest references when we talk modern Patek Philippe. Probably fewer than 50 examples in this configuration in the whole world and only 5 examples have previously been sold on the market.
Sold for 957 600 CHF (estimate 330 000 – 510 000 CHF)
Lot 119 – Patek Philippe 3448 Perpetual Calendar by Hausmann & Co
A rarity from 1970 in gold ref. 3448 with double logos (Hausmann & Co), perpetual calendar and moon phase. One of only three known examples with the Hausmann & Co logo.
Sold for 264 600 CHF (estimate 150 – 250 000 CHF)
Lot 122 – Patek Philippe 1526 Perpetual Calendar Eric Clapton
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar in gold ref 1526 where a previous owner was Eric Clapton and made in 1949. Sold for 110 880 CHF (estimate 80 000 – 120 000 CHF)
Lot 127 – Rolex 6062 Triple Calendar Moonphase "Stelline"
Rolex triple calendar with moon phase in gold. In total about 670 examples of reference 6062 are believed to have been made and fewer than 150 have appeared on the open market. This one has the sought-after dial with stars as indexes. Sold for 126 000 CHF (estimate 100 -200 000 CHF)
Lot 128 – Rolex Daytona 6241 Paul Newman
Rolex Daytona in gold with champagne-colored Paul Newman dial ref 6241 from 1968. Sold for 1 071 000 CHF (estimate 700 – 1 200 000 CHF).
Lot 129 – Rolex Daytona 6264 Tropical Lemon Paul Newman
Rolex Daytona in gold with Tropical Lemon Paul Newman dial. One of the most unusual dials, lemon, with a unique tropical touch. The watch is from 1970 and sold for 1 254 000 CHF (estimate 900 – 1 800 000 CHF)
Lot 133 – Cartier Crash London
Cartier Crash in gold from Cartier London, one of the most sought-after variants. Case back No 80298 has Jaques Cartier's mark JC and hallmark for London 1990. Here it really smashed through as it sold for 819 000 CHF (estimate 180 000 – 280 000 CHF).
Lot 147 – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402
A classic A-series Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from 1974 in steel ref. 5402ST sold for 189 000 CHF (estimate 70 000 – 140 000 CHF)
Lot 149 – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo ref. 5402BC Tropical Diamond Dial
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in white gold with a tropical stone-set dial from 1977. Number 29 of the estimated 150 made in white gold. Note the round diamonds which are the rarest shape for these watches. Sold for 327 600 CHF (estimate 200 000 – 400 000 CHF)
Lot 151 – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202PT
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in platinum with a forest green dial from last year with ref 15202PT. Made in extremely small quantities. Sold for 441 000 CHF (estimate 300 000 – 500 000 CHF)
Read more about the auction and the items here
