Antiquorum's June 22nd auction of "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" totaled $2,623,130. Spirited bidding for the collection of 208 modern and vintage timepieces resulted in 86% sold by lot and 121% sold by value. Bidders participated from across the world including Hong Kong, Singapore, Italy, Switzerland as well as the United States.
The top highlight of the sale was the Patek Philippe Ref. 5078 Minute Repeater with Black Dial in Platinum (lot 173). The extremely fine and elegant minute-repeating wristwatch was acquired for $299,000.
The highly anticipated cover lot, the Rolex Ref. 6239 Tropical Dial in Steel (lot 208) stirred exceptional excitement in the auction room, on the phones, as well as on the internet. After several minutes of intense bidding, the magnificent timepiece sold for an impressive $209,000, triple its low estimate.
" The outstanding result for the Rolex Ref. 6239 Paul Newman in today's sale confirms that exceptional timepieces in pristine condition command exceptional results," said Ms. Saori Omura, Watch Director of Antiquorum New York. " Collectors recognized the rarity and superior condition of the highly sought-after model and were willing to pay a premium to acquire it."
Other rare Rolex timepieces achieved outstanding results in the June sale. The Rolex Ref. 6238 Pre-Daytona in Yellow Gold (lot 206) was acquired for $90,625; while the Rolex Ref. 6542 GMT Bakelite Bezel Gilt Tropical Dial in Steel (lot 205) sparked a bidding war and finally sold for $65,000. In addition, the Rolex Ref. 1665 Explorer II Steve McQueen Retailed by Tiffany in Steel (lot 201) brought over double its high estimate at $52,500; and the Rolex Ref. 6263 Big Red Daytona in Steel (lot 207) sold for $47,500, nearly double its low estimate.
"We are extremely pleased with the results for our June 22nd auction," said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO, Antiquorum Auctioneers. " In today's sale, we were especially delighted to see the strong competition for vintage Rolex examples confirming that rare timepieces continue to elicit enthusiastic bidding from collectors worldwide."
A. Lange & Sohne was well represented in the sale with the Lange 1 Ref. 704.025 Tourbillon Platinum Special ordered with Blue Steeled Hands (lot 122), which sold for $118,750.
Another complicated wristwatch from Patek Philippe was highly in demand by collectors; the sealed Patek Philippe Ref. 5970 in Yellow Gold (lot 121) provoked fierce competition and sold at the top end of its estimate for $128,600.
Other prestigious Swiss brands also garnered notable results. A rare Vacheron Constantin model commemorating the brand's 222nd anniversary in 1977, the Vacheron Constantin 222 Ref. 44018 Jumbo Automatic in Yellow Gold (lot 159), sold above its at $25,000; while an Audemars Piguet Ref. 26176 Bumble Bee (lot 109) brought $32,500.
Christophe Claret watches also attained noteworthy results. The Christophe Claret Piece Unique Tourbillon De La Roche In Platinum (lot 83) sold for $62,500; while the Christophe Claret Ref. MTR.MBA13 Kantharos in White Gold & Titanium (lot 84) achieved $31,250.
Finally, the Chopard Quattro Tourbillon Limited Edition in Platinum (lot 82) commanded an exceptional result, selling at $50,000.
Antiquorum looks forward to its next auction in New York in September featuring rare and important timepieces from top luxury brands.
The "top lots" of the June 22nd, 2017 auction are as follows:
Lot 173 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF 5078 MINUTE-REPEATER BLACK DIAL PLATINUM. Sold January 7th, 2010. Extremely fine and rare, elegant, self-winding, minute-repeating, platinum wristwatch with black dial and a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by, Certificate of Origin, solid platinum case back, and a leather folder with technical data and instructions.
Sold for: $299,000
Lot 208 - ROLEX REF. 6239 PAUL NEWMAN tropical STEEL. Made circa 1965. Fine and rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with deployant clasp. Accompanied by service papers dated 05/30/95.
Sold for: $209,000
Lot 121 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF 5970J CHRONOGRAPH PERPETUAL CALENDAR SEALED YELLOW GOLD. Sold June 23rd, 2008. Very fine, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases, tachometer and 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original fitted wooden box, Certificate of Origin, solid 18K yellow gold case back, setting pin and booklets.
Sold for: $128,600
Lot 122 - A. LANGE & SOHNE LANGE 1 REF. 704.025 TOURBILLON PLATINUM SPECIAL ORDERED WITH BLUED STEEL HANDS, No. 145 / 150. Made in a limited edition of 150 pieces, sold July 6th, 2011. Extremely fine and rare, platinum wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, off-center hour dial, oversized date, power reserve indication and a platinum A. Lange & Söhne buckle. Accompanied by the original box, warranty and manual.
Sold for: $118,750
Lot 86 - JEAN DUNAND SHABAKA PIECE UNIQUE WHITE GOLD. Made circa 2007. Highly unusual and massive, 18K white gold, tonneau-shaped, minute-repeating, instantaneous perpetual calendar, moonphase wristwatch with an 18K white gold Jean Dunand buckle. Accompanied by the original wooden fitted box, certificate, setting tool, instruction packet, and various documents including a CD.
Sold for: $100,000
Lot 206 - ROLEX REF 6238 PRE-DAYTONA 14K YELLOW GOLD. Made for the American Market in 1969. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, 14K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers and tachometer with a 14K yellow gold Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet.
Sold for: $90,625
Lot 205 - ROLEX REF 6542 GMT BAKELITE BEZEL GILT TROPICAL DIAL STEEL Rolex. Made in 1955. Very fine and very rare, two time zone, center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch, 24-hour bezel and hand and a stainless steel Rolex buckle.
Sold for: $ 65,000
Lot 83 - CHRISTOPHE CLARET PIECE UNIQUE TOURBILLON DE LA ROCHE PLATINUM. Made circa 2005. Unique and stunning, platinum and sapphire-set tourbillon wristwatch with a visible one-minute tourbillon regulator movement with a platinum buckle.
Sold for: $62,500
Lot 201 - ROLEX REF. 1655 EXPLORER II STEVE MCQUEEN retailed by Tiffany STEEL. Made in 1979. Very fine and rare, center seconds, self-winding, water- resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with date, special 24-hour bezel, large orange arrow 24-hour hand and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with deployant clasp.
Sold for: $52,500
Lot 120 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5960P ANNUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH SEALED PLATINUM. Made in 2008. Very fine and rare, self-winding, water-resistant, platinum and diamond wristwatch with round button fly-back chronograph, combined 30/60-minute and 12-hour totalizer, annual calendar, power reserve, day/ night indications and a platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, and instruction booklet.
Sold for: $50,000
Thanks.