Antiquorum Achieves Two World Records in May Sale
Antiquorum’s auction of “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces” held on Sunday, May 12th at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva resulted in an impressive two world records and the remarkable sum of CHF 7,966, 363. The carefully curated selection of 518 timepieces sold for a noteworthy 123% by value with strong international competition from all corners of the globe including China, Hong Kong, Italy, the United States as well as Switzerland.
The sale was led by the unique Patek Philippe Ref. 5002 “Sky Moon Tourbillon” in pink gold with special order case (lot 225). The extraordinary wristwatch featuring two dials and twelve complications sold to a room bidder for CHF 1,202,500.
Excitement for the outstanding collection of Rolex Daytonas celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic model resulted in an incredible two world records. Highlighting the collection and rewriting Rolex history, the Rolex Ref. 6263 Gold Daytona Paul Newman with prototype lemon dial and white graphics (lot 512) provoked an intense bidding war and ultimately sold to a room bidder for an amazing world record price of CHF 841, 300, nearly three times its low estimate and the highest price ever attained for a Rolex Daytona. Also attracting global competition and setting a world record, the Rolex Ref. 6269/8 Diamond Cosmograph Oman (lot 518) brought an outstanding CHF 470, 500.
Other important references from the Rolex Daytona chapter achieved exceptional results. The Paul Newman models in steel obtained top prices;both the Rolex Ref. 6239 (lot 507) and the Rolex Ref. 6241(lot 510) each sold for CHF 108,100, over double their low estimates. In addition, the Rolex Ref. 6240, so-called Rolex Solo (lot 509) inspired fierce competition and sold for CHF 116,500.
“We are extremely proud of the spectacular prices realized for the selection of rare and unique Rolex Daytonas presented in today’s sale,” said Julien Schaerer, Managing Director & Watch Expert, Antiquorum Geneva. “We are especially thrilled by the world records attained for the Ref. 6263 with prototype lemon dial and the Ref. 6269/8 Cosmograph Oman, proving once again that the Daytona model is highly sought-after by collectors and continues to command world record results.”
Other notable Patek Philippe timepieces were also coveted by watch enthusiasts. The Patek Philippe Ref. 1463 in yellow gold (lot 139)sparked collectors’ interest and sold for CHF 104,500; while the Patek Philippe Ref. 605 HU World Time pocket watch in yellow gold (lot 483) achieved CHF 50,000.
Underscoring the demand for rare vintage timepieces, the Rolex Ref. 6062 Stelline in yellow gold (Lot 426) stirred strong competition and brought CHF 194,500.
Vacheron Constantin enamel timpieces also attained important results in the May auction. The Vacheron Constantin wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial inspired by John J. Audobon’s Birds of America (lot 26)achieved an incredible CHF 110,500, over double its high estimate; andthe fine enamel and pearl-set quarter repeating Vacheron Constantin watch (lot 51) attained CHF 33,750, over four times its low estimate.
“We were delighted to see the highly competitive bidding for the exquisite enamel pieces in today’s auction, with particularly passionate participation from our Chinese clients,” said Etienne Lemenager, Director & Watch Expert, Antiquorum Geneva.
Finally, the nautically inspired Richard Mille RM014 “Perini Navi” (lot 179) caught the eye of watch fans across the world and sold for CHF 128,500.
Antiquorum looks forward to its next auction on June 22 in Hong Kong which will feature an important private collection from a Japanese gentleman that includes rare timepieces from Patek Philippe, F.P. Journe and Harry Winston.
The “top lots” or the May 12th auction are as follows:
Lot 225
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5002 – PINK GOLD SKY MOON TOURBILLON – PIECE UNIQUE WITH SPECIAL ORDER CASE Sold on February 4th, 2008. Extremely fine, important and unique, oversized, minute-repeating on cathedral gongs, astronomic, 18K pink gold, double-dialed chronometer wristwatch with one-minute tourbillon regulator, perpetual calendar with fly-back retrograde date, nocturnal sky chart of the Northern Hemisphere, moon phases and lunar orbit, time of the meridian passages of Sirius and moon, solar mean and sidereal time indications and an 18K pink gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the original Patek Philippe fitted box with lock and key, a setting pin, Official Chronometer Certificate and a Certificate of Origin, hang-tag and instructions.
Estimate: CHF 1,000,000 - 1,500,000
Sold for: CHF 1,202,500
Lot 512
ROLEX REF. 6263 – GOLD DAYTONA PAUL NEWMAN PROTOTYPE LEMON DIAL – WHITE GRAPHICS Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona.Made in the late 1960’s. Very fine and extremely rare, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer, anti-reflect black bezel
Estimate: CHF 300,000 - 500,000
Sold for: CHF 841,300
Lot 518
ROLEX REF. 6269/8 DIAMOND COSMOGRAPH OMAN Rolex, “Cosmograph, Oyster, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified.”Sold to Oman in 1985. Fine, possibly unique and extremely rare, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold gentleman’s wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, bezel set with 44 diamonds, dial set with 240 diamonds and nine sapphires, and an 18K yellow gold Rolex Ref. 7205 riveted bracelet.
Estimate: CHF 300,000 - 500,000
Sold for: CHF 470,500
Lot 178
CHRISTOPHE CLARET DUAL TOW, 20TH ANNIVERSARY PIECE UNIQUE, 18K WHITE GOLD Ref. OG01CC2CA. Made as a unique piece in 2010. Extremely fine, large and rare, skeletonized 18K white gold wristwatch with tourbillon, chimming single-button chronograph, time displayed on revolving rubber belts and an 18K white gold Christophe Claret double deployant clasp. Accompanied by its original certificate and fitted box.
Estimate: CHF 170,000 - 240,000
Sold for: CHF 200,500
Lot 426
ROLEX REF 6062, STELLINE YELLOW GOLD Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, Officially Certified Chronometer.” Made in 1952. Very fine and extremely rare, tonneau-shaped, selfwinding, water resistant, 18K yellow gold chronometer wristwatch with triple date, moon phases and “Super Oyster” crown.
Estimate: CHF 170,000 - 250,000
Sold for: CHF 194,500
Lot 511
ROLEX REF. 6241 – 14K GOLD DAYTONA “PAUL NEWMAN” Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona. Made in 1969. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, 14K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer and anti-reflect black bezel. Accompanied by the original warranty (now void) and original fitted box.
Estimate: CHF 90,000 - 130,000
Sold for: CHF 144,100
Lot 517
ROLEX REF. 6265 GADAFFI SIGNATURE Rolex, Oyster Cosmograph Daytona. Sold to Libya in 1978. Very fine, possibly unique and extremely rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, steel bezel with tachometer and a stainless steel rolex ref. 78350 oyster bracelet.
Estimate: CHF 120,000 - 180,000
Sold for: CHF 128,500
Lot 179
RICHARD MILLE ‘PERINI NAVI CUP’ RM014 Sold circa 2008. Very fine, and rare, tonneau-shaped and curved, 18K white gold wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, torque indicator, 70 hour power reserve, carbon nanofiber movement baseplate and an 18K white gold and titanium Richard Mille double folding deployant clasp. Accompanied by a travel case.
Estimate: CHF 90,000 - 130,000
Sold for: CHF 128,500
Lot 509
ROLEX, REF. 6240, SO-CALLED SOLO ROLEX, STAINLESS STEEL. Made circa 1965. Very fine and extremely rare, early, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer, anti-reflective black bezel graduated to 200 units per hour and a stainless steel Rolex buckle.
Estimate: CHF 90,000 - 130,000
Sold for: CHF 116,500
Lot 26
VACHERON CONSTANTIN – CLOISONNE ENAMEL DIAL INSPIRED BY JOHN J. AUDUBON’S BIRDS OF AMERICA, the enamel by Muriel Senchaud. Made in a limited edition of 10 pieces, launched in 1997. Very fine and extremely rare, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial and an 18K yellow gold Vacheron Constantin buckle. Accompanied by Vacheron Constantin wooden box, Certificate of Origin and hang-tag.
Estimate: CHF 30,000 - 50,000
Sold for: CHF 110,500
About Antiquorum: Established in Geneva in 1974, Antiquorum has carved its own unparalleled niche in the auction world through its focused expertise in horology and by cultivating a thriving collector's market for timepieces worldwide. The world's premier auctioneer of fine modern and vintage timepieces has set world records for auction sales and holds approximately ten auctions a year in Geneva, New York and Hong Kong, with previews held in major cities worldwide. Antiquorum maintains offices in Beijing, London, Milan, Munich, Moscow, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo. WWW.ANTIQUORUM.COM.
