Complicated Modern Timepieces Highlight Antiquorum's December Auction
For Immediate Release
Feb. 3, 2012
New York, Dec 8, 2011 - Antiquorum's year-end sale totaled $3.5 Million. The collection of modern and vintage timepieces drew 357 registered internet bidders in addition to the many room, telephone and commission bidders. Enthusiastic international bidding came from countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, the Russian Federation, Switzerland and the United States.
"We are exceptionally pleased to have uncovered and sold some of the world's most extraordinary timepieces in 2011. In the year ahead, we look forward to continued success and to offering our clients only the very best the market has to offer. As such, we are eagerly anticipating our first sale of the new year on February 26th in Hong Kong which will feature a Patek Philippe ref. 5131 World Time with enamel dial and an extremely rare Patek Philippe ref. 3939 in pink gold," said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO, Antiquorum.
The highlight of the sale was undeniably the Vacheron Constantin ref. 30020. The platinum minute repeater with perpetual calendar [lot 450] sold to a phone bidder for an impressive $218,500.
"Exceptional examples of modern timepieces in outstanding condition continue to attract collectors from all corners of the globe. We were particularly pleased with the results for the modern Vacheron Constantin watches included in today's sale," said Charles Tearle, Watch Director, Antiquorum USA.
Also attaining an important result was the exceptional cover lot, a unique Parmigiani Bugatti Type 370 with diamonds [lot 180], which was acquired for $122,500.
Patek Philippe achieved a strong result in the sale with the Patek Philippe ref. 3970 [lot 440], a platinum chronograph with perpetual calendar and moon phases, which sold for $128,500. Also, the Patek Philippe ref. 130 [lot 431], an 18K yellow gold chronograph with tachometer and two-tone dial, sold for $ 57,500 after a heated competition between phone, room and internet bidders.
In addition, modern Patek Philippe timepieces retailed by Tiffany obtained noteworthy results in the December auction. The combined low estimate for the collection offered in the sale totaled $ 143,000 and ultimately sold for $203,450 - representing 142% of the value.
Vintage Rolexes in superior condition or with unusual features continue to achieve strong prices at auction. Both examples of the Rolex ref. 6263 "Oyster Cosmograph" in yellow gold achieved excellent results; lot 222 sold for $62,500 while lot 223, offered with a certificate, fetched $70,900. The Rolex ref. 6536 with gilt tropical dial and red depth gauge [lot 76], achieved an outstanding $27,500, more than double its high estimate.
Blancpain was also well represented in the sale with the Blancpain Repetition Minutes Quantieme Perpetuel no. 22 [lot 118] selling for twice its low estimate at $38,750 and the Blancpain Split-Seconds Chronograph Perpetual Calendar in platinum [lot 120] achieving $22,500.
Further highlighting the desirability of rare modern timepieces for collectors, the skeletonized Girard - Perregaux Pink Gold Tourbillon Under Three Gold Bridges [lot 387] sold for $57,500 and the Girard-Perregaux "La Laureato" Tourbillon Under Three Golden Bridges [lot 399] brought $47,500.
Finally, Jaeger-LeCoultre also achieved a significant result with the Jaeger Minute Repeater [lot 144]. Made in a limited edition of 200 pieces, the oversized platinum wristwatch sold for $87,700.
The "top lots" of the December 7th sale are as follows:
Lot 450
VACHERON CONSTANTIN REF. 30020, THE PATRIMONY MODEL PLATINUM MINUTE REPEATER PERPETUAL CALENDAR Vacheron Constantin, Genève, Ref. 30020. Made circa 2000. Extremely fine and important, astronomic, minute-repeating, platinum wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases. Accompanied by a fitted box and certificate.
Sold including buyer's premium: $218,500
Lot 440
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3970EP, BLACK BATON DIAL Patek Philippe, Genève. Made in 1998. Very fine and important, water-resistant platinum wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, and moon phases. Accompanied by an original fitted box, the Certificate of Origin, setting pin, and the additional solid platinum case back.
Sold including buyer's premium: $128,500
Lot 180
PARMIGIANI "BUGATTI" WHITE GOLD & DIAMONDS PIECE UNIQUE Parmigiani Fleurier, "Bugatti - Type 370,". Made in 2007, sold January 27th, 2008. Accompanied by the original fitted box, travel box, certificate of origin, instructions and automatic winding pen. Extremely fine, rare and unusual, rectangular curved, movement constructed in the shape of an automotive engine encased in an oval-shaped cylinder, 18K white gold and diamonds driver's wristwatch with 10-day autonomy (displayed on a graduated drum) and an 18K white gold Parmigiani double deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original fitted box, travel box, certificate of origin, instructions and automatic winding pen.
Sold including buyer's premium: $122,500
Lot 175
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3970 PLATINUM Patek Philippe, Genève, Circa 1995. Very fine and important, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication.
Sold including buyer's premium: $98,500
Lot 144
Jaeger-LeCoultre, "Master Minute Repeater, Antoine LeCoultre," No. 079/200, Ref. 151.6.67.S. Made in a limited edition of 200 pieces in 2007, sold February 6th, 2009. Very fine and rare, oversized, minute-repeating, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with 15-day power reserve indication. Accompanied by the original wooden box, magnifying loupe, guarantee and instruction booklet.
Sold including buyer's premium: $87,700
Lot 176
DE BETHUNE REF. DB26 PINK GOLD & TITANIUM PERPETUAL CALENDAR 3-DIMENSIONAL MOON PHASE De Bethune, "Perpetual Calendar, Revolving Moon Phase," No. 005, Ref. DB 26 RS1. Made in 2009, sold March 22nd, 2010. Very fine and rare, large and unusual, tonneau-shaped, water-resistant, 18K pink gold and titanium wristwatch with platinum and titanium balance, perpetual calendar with 3-dimensional spherical revolving moon phaseand leap year indication. Accompanied by the original fitted box, certificate, instructions, setting pin and 2 spare straps.
Sold including buyer's premium: $72,100
Lot 223
ROLEX REF. 6263 YELLOW GOLD WITH CERTIFICATE Rolex, "Oyster Cosmograph,". Made in 1979. Very fine and very rare, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold chronometer wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, black bezel with tachometer and an 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster Bracelet. Accompanied by the Chronometer and Warranty Certificate (now void).
Sold including buyer's premium: $70,900
Lot 63
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5960 RETAILED BY TIFFANY & CO., PLATINUM Patek Philippe, Genève, "Annual Calendar Chronograph," Ref. 5960P-001. Sold July 8th, 2008. Very fine, self-winding, water-resistant, platinum and diamond wristwatch with round button Flyback chronograph, combined 30/60-minute and 12-hour totalizer, annual calendar, power reserve and day/night indications. Accompanied by the original fitted box, copy of Certificate of Origin, setting pin and instruction booklet.
Sold including buyer's premium: $69,700
Lot 178
Harry Winston, "Ocean Tourbillon 110 Hours," No. 01/25, Ref. 400-MAT44RK. Made in a limited edition of 25 pieces in 2008, sold October 11th, 2009. Very fine and very rare, large, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K pink gold wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon, 110 hours power-reserve and an 18K pink gold Harry Winston buckle. Accompanied by a Harry Winston fitted box, warranty and instruction booklet.
Sold including buyer's premium: $63,700
Lot 179
HARRY WINSTON PINK GOLD & DIAMOND RETROGRADE CHRONOGRAPH NO. 06/10, Ref. 400-MCRA44R. Made in a limited edition of 10 pieces in 2008, sold September 11th, 2008. Very fine and rare, self-winding, water-resistant, 18K pink gold and diamonds wristwatch with triple retrograde square button chronograph set with 60 round diamonds. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Warranty and booklets.
Sold including buyer's premium: $62,500