Friday, May 17th 2013
Auction Monday, June 18th 2012
Antiquorum: results for the auction on June 12th in New York
Antiquorum's auction of "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Part 2", held on June 12th in New York, totaled USD 4,437,225 resulting in a combined spring total of USD 9,073,713. The collection of 269 outstanding timepieces sold nearly 80% by lot and 116% by value. Strong international participation came from countries such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.
The highlight of the sale was the much anticipated Omega Constellation that formerly belonged to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley [lot 192]. The bids for the highly sought-after timepiece quickly escalated from USD 10,000 to an incredible USD 52,500, over five times its pre-sale estimate and a world record for the reference.
"We are exceptionally pleased with the result for Elvis Presley's Omega Constellation in today's sale. Antiquorum is proud to add to its growing list of world records for timepieces with important provenance that includes Gandhi's Zenith pocket watch, Steve McQueen's Rolex and Einstein's Longines," said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO, Antiquorum.
The top lot by value was the exceptional Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 [lot 269], a tourbillon minute repeater with custom grey dial. Two phone bidders enthusiastically vied for the rare timepiece and it ultimately sold to a Chinese phone bidder for an impressive USD 542,500.
Additional examples of Patek Philippe timepieces also sold remarkably well. Notably, the Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 in yellow gold, a minute-repeating perpetual calendar [lot 268], brought an astounding USD 380,500. Furthermore, discontinued Patek Philippes achieved noteworthy prices in the June auction, including Ref. 5885, Ref. 5098, the "Gondolo," and the Ref. 5036.
Several other brands were well-represented in the sale. A. Lange & Söhne achieved an impressive result for its "Pour le Merite" in yellow gold [lot 267], selling for a fantastic USD 188,500; while spirited bidding for the Ulysse Nardin "Trilogy of Time" [lot 146], resulted in an exceptional price of USD 164,500, twice its low estimate.
Bovet attained an exceptional result for "The Elephant & The Snake." [lot 131] The enamel and pearl-set pocket watch achieved an outstanding USD 74,500, over twice its high estimate, confirming that exceptionally rare and well-made pocket watches from the 19th century continue to achieve extraordinary prices at auction.
Also performing astonishingly well, from the property of a private collector, were the Jaeger-LeCoultre Eight Days Perpetual Calendars. The pink gold example [lot 81] sold for USD 38,750 and the platinum version [lot 82] attained USD 52,500.
Finally Franck Muller and FP Journe achieved superior results. The Franck Muller Ref. 2851 RM QP Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in yellow gold [lot 212] exceeded its high estimate, selling for USD 62,500 and the FP Journe Octa Chronograph in platinum [lot 260] obtained USD 42,500, more than twice its low estimate.
"We were impressed by the remarkable results for today's sale. The diverse interests of the global market resulted in outstanding prices for complicated watches from multiple brands including A. Lange & Söhne, Patek Philippe, Jaeger - LeCoultre and Ulysse Nardin," said Michael Friedman, Horological Diretctor, Antiquorum USA.
Antiquorum looks forward to its next auction on June 23rd in Hong Kong, which will feature a fantastic collection of Patek Philippe wristwatches as well as an impressive selection of rare Rolex diving watches.
The "Top Lots" for Antiquorum's June 12th auction are as follows:
Lot 269
Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 Tourbillon Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar custom grey dial yellow gold. Made
in 2001, sold October 26th, 2001. Extremely fine, rare and important,
astronomic, minute-repeating, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with one-minute
tourbillon regulator, retrograde perpetual calendar, moon phases, and
custom grey dial. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of
Origin, chronometer certificate, a solid yellow gold case back and
booklet.
Sold for: USD 542, 500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 450,000 USD - USD 650,000
Lot 268
Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 yellow gold. Made in 1992, sold November 16th, 1992. Extremely
fine and rare, astronomic, minute repeating, self-winding, 18K yellow
gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, leap year indication and moon.
Accompanied by the original Patek mahogany fitted box, Certificate of
Origin and setting pin.
Sold for: USD 380,500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 250,000 - USD 400,000
Lot 88
Jaeger-LeCoultre Ref. 149.6.07.S, Gyrotourbillon 1, Platinum, No. 49/75. Made
in a limited edition of 75 pieces in platinum. Sold September 15th,
2008. Exceptional and highly complicated, large, water-resistant, 8-day
going platinum wristwatch with visible Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 177 with
inclined lightweight two-cage multi-axis spherical tourbillon, two
barrels with sapphire covers, "marchante" equation of time, perpetual
calendar with retrograde month indication, leap-year indication and
patented instant date display by means of two retrograde hands, power
reserve indication and "1000 Hours Control". Accompanied by the original
fitted box, guarantee and two books.
Sold for: USD 314,500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 250,000 - USD 350,000
Lot 259
Patek Philippe Ref. 5004 platinum. Made in 1998.
Very fine, rare and important, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch
with split-seconds chronograph, registers, perpetual calendar, moon
phases, leap year and 24-hour indication. Accompanied by the original
fitted wooden box, Certificate of Origin, instructions, additional solid
platinum case back and setting pin.
Sold for: USD 242, 500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 200,000 - USD 300,000
Lot 145
Patek Philippe Ref. 5102 Celestial white gold. Made in 2003, sold on September 18, 2003.
Extremely fine, rare and unusual, astronomic, self-winding, 18K white
gold wristwatch with mean time indication, nocturnal sky chart of the
Northern Hemisphere, moon phases and moon orbit, time of the meridian
passage of Sirius and moon. Accompanied by the original fitted box and
Certificate of Origin.
Sold for: USD 218, 500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 180,000 - USD 220,000
Lot 267
A. Lange & Söhne Ref. 701.001 Tourbillon yellow gold Pour le Mérite, No. 54/150. Made
in a limited edition of 150 pieces in 1996. Extremely fine and very
rare, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon
regulator and 36-hour power reserve indication. Accompanied by the
original fitted box, warranty and instruction booklet.
Sold for: USD 188,500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 120,000 - USD 180,000
Lot 146
Ulysse Nardin Trilogy of Time set of three extraordinary platinum astronomical watches. A
limited edition set of three very rare and very fine platinum
wristwatches. Made in a limited edition of 100 sets circa 2004.
Accompanied by the original fitted winding box, setting and adjustment
tools, a presentation book, CD, certificates and instructions for each
model.
Sold for: USD 164,500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 80,000 - USD 120,000
Lot 119
Piaget Ref. 4154 Galaxy white gold & diamonds. Made
circa 2002. Exceptionally fine, rare and important, diamond-set 18K
white gold bracelet watch, the case and bracelet channel-set with 456
baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 51.9 ct), the dial set with 42
baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 6.2 ct).
Sold for: USD 134,500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 120,000 - USD 180,000
Lot 78
Patek Philippe Ref. 5970 pink gold. Sold November 9th, 2005.
Very fine, astronomic, water-resistant, 18K pink gold wristwatch with
square button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases and
tachometer. Accompanied by the original wooden box, Certificate of
Origin, setting pin and booklets.
Sold for: USD 122,500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 90,000 - USD 140,000
Lot 258
Patek Philippe, Ref. 3970 yellow gold. Made
in 1988, sold on June 15, 1988. Very fine water-resistant, 18K yellow
gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual
calendar, moon phases, leap year indication and 24-hour indication.
Accompanied by a Patek Philippe fitted box and Extract from the
Archives.
Sold for: USD 86,500
Pre-auction estimate: USD 60,000 - USD 80,000 ■
Hublot
Monday, April 29th 2013
Interviewed at Baselworld 2013, Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot, discusses the driving forces that keep the brand on a permanent upward trajectory.
"No innovation, no future!"
Interviewed at Baselworld 2013, Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot, discusses the driving forces that keep the brand on a permanent upward trajectory.
Omega
Monday, April 29th 2013
The Co-Axial is ubiquitous at Omega, in its calibres, in its communication, and now in its genes. Hardly surprising, then, that the company has made co-axial technology its rallying cry for 2013. Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega, explains.
The Co-Axial movement is second nature for Omega
The Co-Axial is ubiquitous at Omega, in its calibres, in its communication, and now in its genes. Hardly surprising, then, that the company has made co-axial technology its rallying cry for 2013. Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega, explains.
Christophe Claret
Sunday, April 28th 2013
For a long time, Christophe Claret - 25 years of grande complication watchmaking under his belt - worked in the shadow of the leading watch companies. The response to a tough business climate, his Dual Tow sowed the seeds for the brand that bears his name. Kantharos, presented at Baselworld 2013, confirms this second direction for the brand. An explanation from the master watchmaker himself.
Christophe Claret, the unsung hero makes some noise
For a long time, Christophe Claret - 25 years of grande complication watchmaking under his belt - worked in the shadow of the leading watch companies. The response to a tough business climate, his Dual Tow sowed the seeds for the brand that bears his name. Kantharos, presented at Baselworld 2013, confirms this second direction for the brand. An explanation from the master watchmaker himself.
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