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More than 380 superb lots auctioned in Geneva, 15 November 2010
IMPORTANT WATCHES Including A CONNOISSEUR’S VISION PART III
Hotel des Bergues, Geneva
15 November 2010 - 9:30 am & 2:30pm
Following the sensational auction in May - one of the most successful watch sales ever realised by Christie's, the world’s market leader for watches - Christie’s Geneva are delighted to offer another extraordinary selection of the finest and rarest wrist and pocket watches on November 15. The 388 lots from Important Watches including A Connoisseur’s Vision Part III will be dispersed in two sessions and are expected to realise a combined total estimated in excess of SFr./US$ 13 million / € 10 million.
The top lot of the sale is an exceptionally rare and highly important pink gold two crown world time wristwatch with 24 hour indication and blue enamel dial, retailed by Gobbi, Milan, Ref. 2523, manufactured in 1953 by Patek Philippe (estimate: SFr./US$ 1,500,000-2,500,000 / €1,100,000-1,900,000;
Aurel Bacs, International Head of the Watch Department:
“Fine watches are the ultimate object of desire. They are no longer seen as mere collectables, but considered as beautiful objects that appeal to collectors and are today recognized as works of art. More and more international watch lovers have become keen to purchase top quality pieces and Christie's is the unrivalled market leader for the category. The catalogue for our upcoming Geneva sale, ‘Important Watches including A Connoisseur's Vision Part III’, is one of the richest and most varied we have ever compiled and I believe that our clients from all around the world will find it very enticing”.
THE PINK TRIO
Leading the sale is a trio of exceedingly rare and important pink gold wristwatches by Patek Philippe: the above mentioned Ref. 2523; a perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, Ref. 2499, manufactured in 1957 (estimate SFr./US$800,000-€615,000-920,000;) and a perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with phases of the moon, Ref. 1518, manufactured in 1948 (estimate: SFr./US$400,000-600,000 / € 310,000-460,000).
These three models have scarcely been produced in yellow gold and only on very rare occasions in rose gold. Even rarer is the chance of having the three of them in the same auction, all for on the market the first time: an almost unique opportunity for any watch collector to purchase a masterwork of horology.
A CONNOISSEUR’S VISION PART III
The extraordinary results achieved at Christie's Geneva sales for A Connoisseur’s Vision Part I and Part II, in November 2009 and May 2010 respectively, have already made this impressive European collection of top quality wristwatches the most valuable ever sold in the history of wristwatch auctions. Most notably, last Spring’s auction achieved newspaper headlines with the sensational record price realized by a unique and historically important gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, Ref. 1527, manufactured in 1943 by Patek Philippe, which sold for SFr.6,259,000 against an estimate of SFr.1,500,000-2,500,000. Christie's are now delighted to offer another selection of ten vintage complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches from the same collection with a total combined pre-sale estimate of SFr./US$2.2-3.5 million.
The highlight is an important gold split seconds chronograph wristwatch with pulsation scale and two-tone silvered dial, Ref. 1563, manufactured in 1940 by Patek Philippe (estimate: SFr./US$600,000-1,000,000 / €460,000-770,000.) This model is highly unusual and only two other examples are known to exist, one of which once belonged to the great jazzman Duke Ellington and is today in a Swiss museum.
POCKET WATCHES
Also featured is an incredibly fascinating group of impressive pocket-watches, including 19th century lavishly decorated enamel pieces. Two styles dominate this section: Chinese – with a number of impressive watches created in Switzerland at the beginning of the 19th century for the high dignitaries of the Chinese Imperial court; and Ottoman – with a selection of pocket-watches, dating from the 18th to 19th centuries, made for the Turkish market. The lot that best exemplifies the first style is a rare pink gold, enamel and pearl-set open face centre seconds duplex watch with enamel landscape of a harbour scene, circa 1830 (estimate: SFr./US$120,000-180,000 / €90,000-140,000;).
The top lot of the Ottoman style section is a magnificent two colour gold, enamel, diamond, emerald and ruby-set verge watch with fitted box, signed Vauchez en la Cité a Paris, No. 1021, dated 1783 (estimate: SFr./US$180,000-280,000 / €140,000-210,000;).
A VERY RICH CATALOGUE
Christie's Geneva November sale will not only appeal to the seasoned collector because of its selection of star lots, but will also attract a wider group of international watch lovers thanks to the variety of the lots, whose estimates start from US$500. More than 90 watches will be offered without reserve, including examples created by top manufactures such as Rolex, Cartier, Blancpain and many others.
A CHARITABLE CHOPARD CELEBRATION
Faithful to its charitable tradition, once again the Christie's Geneva Watch Department is very proud to help raise funds for a fine cause presenting at auction Chopard’s L.U.C Louis-Ulysse - The Tribute watch, the 1st example of a very limited edition, most generously offered by Chopard. The proceeds of the sale of this lot, a very fine and rare white gold openface keyless lever watch with enamel dial, convertible into a wristwatch, made to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Chopard, will benefit the Geneva Watchmaking School.
IMPORTANT WATCHES
Including
A CONNOISSEUR’S VISION PART III
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues
33 quai des Bergues - Geneva
AUCTION
Monday 15 November 9:30am & 2:30pm
VIEWINGS
Friday 12 November 2pm-7pm
Saturday 13 November 10am-7pm
Sunday 14 November 10am-7pm
PHOTO CALL & PRESS PREVIEW
Friday 12 November 10.30am
INTERNATIONAL PREVIEWS & EXHIBITIONS
Beijing, St. Regis Hotel
21 Jianguomenwah Dajie 24-25 October
Shanghai, Four Seasons Hotel
500 Weihai Road 27-28 October
Christie's Hong Kong, Alexandra House
18 Chater Road, Central 30 October - 2 November |
Christie's - Important Watches Including A Connoisseur’s Vision Part III
