In collaboration with Kaplans
13 favourites from Kaplans Important Watches on 12 November
The auction house Christie’s in Geneva held its auction for ”important watches” this week and the results of the auction show that Rolex continues to be more than red hot.
Text/Photo: Aleksandar Mladenovic
This Saturday the 12/11 starting at 13:00, 103 lots will be hammered at Kaplans ”Important Watches” or Klockkvaliten. The autumn catalogue contains many interesting lots such as an extremely unusual Patek Philippe Calatrava in steel and two so-called ”Paul Newman” Rolex Daytona.
The viewing ahead of Klockkvaliten opens on Wednesday the 9/11 and Kaplans Auktioner has an open viewing, so we urge curious readers to visit them at Biblioteksgatan 5 in Stockholm.
In total 103 lots go under the hammer and according to Giorgios Batselas this is their strongest catalogue ever, an opinion the editorial office is prepared to share. For example quite a few different references of Rolex Daytona will go under the hammer, everything from a so-called ”Pre-Daytona” to the latest reference with a ceramic crystal ring.
Eqotime has in collaboration with Kaplans taken a closer look at a full 13 favourites from the auction. It will be a mix between extremely sought-after watches from Rolex, to complicated from Patek Philippe and also funky Omegas from the 1970s.
Auction number 5 – Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 3970E
Like the spring's Important Watches we again have a Patek Philippe ref. 3970E that is to be hammered to a new lucky owner. This time it is the fourth and last series of the reference which has a sapphire crystal on the case back. It was originally sold in 1995 and is accompanied by a so-called ”Extract from the Archives”. One of the editorial office's absolute favourite references when it comes to complicated watches from Patek Philippe in a classic size.
Reference 3970E was introduced in 1986 and is considered by many to be the heir to the legendary reference 2499. Equipped with a perpetual calendar with moon phase and chronograph in a very well-balanced and classic size of 36mm.
The estimate is 620,000 kr and you can read more about the lot here
Auction number 16 – Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 ”Underline dial”
An early Rolex Daytona from 1963 with a so-called ”underline dial”. The watch is dated to approximately 1963 and is the first generation Daytona. With a modest size of 37mm and with a black dial and white sub-dials this is a classic configuration. It also has a period-correct so-called first generation crystal ring and period ”pump pushers” that were used before these became screwed down.
The estimate for auction number 16 is 255,000 kr.
Auction number 96 – Rolex Daytona ”Paul Newman” ref. 6239
We stay a little with reference 6239 since there is yet another lot at the auction with the same reference. This time with the exotic so-called ”Paul Newman” dial. A very sought-after lot among collectors.
The watch dates to approx. 1967 and here too it has a black dial, but the ”exotic” variant of one. The watch comes on a riveted Oyster bracelet and has an estimate of 900,000 kr.
Auction number 88 – Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 1504
Back to Patek Philippe but not just any Patek Philippe. This is a Calatrava with reference 1504 that was sold in 1943. The watch's case measures approximately 36mm which was considered large at the time and it is made in steel. What is it that is so special about this particular watch then? Well, it is namely the fifth known example of a ref. 1504 in steel that has ever turned up on the market.
The watch's dial is rather badly worn unfortunately but still with quite a lot of charm and its beautiful so-called ”Breguet numerals”. The estimate is modestly set at 220,000 kr and the watch can go for much higher amounts than that. It will be extremely interesting to follow this lot.
Auction number 82 – Rolex Daytona ”Paul Newman” ref. 6264
One of the more sought-after references of Paul Newman Daytonas, this reference 6264 has a so-called ”panda” dial and is delivered with box and papers which date to 1977.
The estimate for this treasure is 1,900,000 kr and the editorial office thinks it is very exciting with not just one, but two Paul Newmans at the same auction in Sweden!
Auction number 60 – Omega Seamaster ref. ST 145.0023 ”Anakin Skywalker”
Something very charming and a typical 1970s design. This Omega Seamaster chronograph is a proper piece. The case is made in tungsten and steel and is a real ”conversation starter”. The example dates to the early 70s and naturally it is Omega's famous workhorse calibre 861 that ticks under the bonnet.
The estimate is 22,000 kr.
Auction number 48 – Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 7118/1200R
Something for the female wrist (or for men for that matter, parts of the editorial office's men could absolutely imagine this on the wrist) is this Patek Philippe Nautilus with reference 7118/1200R. Case and bracelet in rose gold with a brilliant-set bezel. Originally sold in 2015 and delivered as a complete set.
The estimate is 710,000 kr.
Auction number 59 – Universal Geneve Tri-Compax ref. 881101/01
A really cosy chronograph from Universal Genve, so-called ”Tri-Compax” which also shows the phases of the moon, day, date and month. The lot has so-called ”lyre lugs” i.e. twisted lugs, something that most people surely recognise from the Omega Speedmaster but which was actually used by Universal Geneve before Omega introduced it on the Speedmaster.
Auction number 66 – Rolex Oyster Chronograph ”Pre-Daytona” ref. 6234
A so-called ”Pre-Daytona” is the predecessor of the later cult-declared Daytona. The reference was produced between 1955-1961 and in total approximately 2,300 examples in steel were produced.
This lot is dated to approx. 1956 and is thus one of the earlier ones. The dial is rather badly worn by the tooth of time, but with a continued high dose of charm.
The estimate for this lot is 130,000 kr.
Read more about the watch here
Auction number 28 – Rolex Day-Date ref. 118296
A piece of Day-Date in platinum with factory-set stones. A fairly late reference and this lot is dated to the early 2000s. In all honesty nothing we would have chosen among our favourites if it were not for the stone-set lugs, which makes this lot a little more special and unusual.
A heavy piece with an estimate of 285,000kr.
Auction number 21 – Rolex Daytona ref. 16520
We finish with a trio of modern Rolex Daytonas. These were included to close the circle from the Pre-Daytona, through the 1960s and 70s more sought-after collector's items to the modern reference that is in production. After the manual movements from Valjoux that were used for many decades, the first generation automatic Daytona was delivered with an automatic movement based on Zenith's El Primero.
This lot also has the more sought-after first series dial with 4 lines of text. It is the small details that decide!
Auction number 33 – Rolex Daytona ref. 116520
Reference 116520 was also important, as it was the first Daytona with an in-house movement from Rolex, calibre 4130.
The estimate for this lot is 195,000 kr.
Auction number 9 – Rolex Daytona ref. 116500LN
The latest generation Daytona and probably one of the most hyped watches in recent years. A watch that is in principle impossible to get hold of at your local authorised retailer and that has been sold on the open market several times more expensively than its list price. Here in the most desirable execution with a white dial.
The estimate is 285,000 kr.
Eqotime looks forward to the auction and believes in a strong result, take part of the whole catalogue at Kaplans Auktioner here and do not forget to visit the viewing of the auction from today, or why not visit the auction itself on Saturday starting at 13.00.
More in-depth information about the auction you will find here at Kaplans , there you will also find their calculator where you yourselves can work out how much your bids will be with commission and hammer fee.
