Antiquorum's December 15th auction of "Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces" in New York totaled $3,297,013. The exceptional collection of luxury timepieces sold 81% by lot and 108 % by value. Along with the many telephone, room, and commission bidders, there were nearly 900 registered internet bidders competing for the sought-after watches offered in the sale. Strong international participation came from China, Hong Kong, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and the United States.
Highlighting the sale was the exceptional Patek Philippe Ref. 5101 10 Day Tourbillon [lot 254]. The double sealed rare platinum chronometer with one-minute tourbillon regulator sold for $159,750 in the December auction.
Also eliciting interest from the international collector community, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5970 Sealed Chronograph Perpetual Calendar in White Gold [lot 251] similarly achieved $159,750.
Other rare Patek Philippe wristwatches attained notable results in the sale. The Patek Philippe Ref. 5270 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with Blue Sunburst Dial in White Gold [lot 249] brought $133,350; while the Patek Philippe Ref. 5575 Sealed 175th Anniversary "World Time Moon" in white gold [lot 110] attained $99,750. Furthermore, the Patek Philippe Ref. 3940 Perpetual Calendar in Platinum [lot 246] was acquired for $75,000.
"We saw spirited bidding from collectors worldwide in today's sale," said Saori Omura, New York Watch Director, Antiquorum. "We were especially pleased to see the competitive interaction between the room and internet bidders in our December auction resulting in some exceptional prices achieved for rare examples in pristine or untouched condition."
Additionally, rare Richard Mille timepieces continue to drive important results at auction. The Richard Mille RM 010 LMT "Le Mans Classic" Protype in Pink Gold [lot 222] provoked a bidding war and ultimately sold to a Chinese phone bidder for $55,000; while the Richard Mille Ref. RM 011 AK T1 Felipe Massa Titalyt [lot 223] also drew global attention and sold to a room bidder for $75,000.
Exceptional Rolex watches remain popular with collectors. The Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 Paul Newman in Steel [lot 237] captured bidders' interest and sold for $85,000; and the Rolex Ref. 1802 Platinum Day-Date with Diamond Dial [lot 99] inspired fierce competition amongst collectors and attained $57,500, more than double its high estimate.
The anticipated Baume et Mercier "Capeland Shelby Cobra" Unique Piece in Red Gold drew attention from racing enthusiasts and timepiece collectors worldwide. The flyback chronograph with special auction package sold at its' high estimate for $20,000.
"We are delighted by the exceptional result for the Baume et Mercier Capeland Shelby Cobra in our December auction," said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO of Antiquorum."It is a pleasure for us to continue to do our part for charities across the globe and donate the proceeds from the sale of this piece to the Caroll Shelby Foundation, an organization that raises funds for families and children affected by heart disease."
Antiquorum looks forward to our next auction on February 27 in Hong Kong featuring an impressive collection of modern and vintage timepieces.
The "top lots" for Antiquorum's December 15th New York sale were as follows:
Lot 254 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5101 10 DAY TOURBILLON DOUBLE SEALED PLATINUM Made in 2004. Extremely fine and very rare, rectangular and curved, Art Deco style platinum and diamond Chronometer wristwatch with one-minute tourbillon regulator, tandem mainspring barrels for 10-day power-reserve and a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, Chronometer rating certificate, leather folder with instructions, photos and technical specifications.
Sold for: 159,750 USD
LOT 251 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5970 SEALED CHRONOGRAPH PERPETUAL CALENDAR WHITE GOLD. Made in 2007. Very fine, astronomic, water-resistant, 18kt white gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases, tachometer, sapphire crystal back and an 18kt white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original mahogany fitted box, blank Certificate of Origin, instruction manual, setting pin, and additional solid 18kt white gold case back.
Sold for: 159,750 USD
LOT 109 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF 5970 CHRONOGRAPH PERPETUAL CALENDAR PINK GOLD. Sold November 14th, 2005. Very fine, water-resistant, 18kt pink gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases, tachometer and 18kt pink gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, leather folder and instruction booklet.
Sold for: 135,750 USD
LOT 249 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5270 PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH BLUE SUNBURST DIAL WHITE GOLD. Sold on December 19th, 2014. Very fine and rare, large, water-resistant, 18kt white gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, square-button chronograph, register and an 18kt white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original fitted wooden box, Certificate of Origin, instructions, booklets, setting pin and a solid 18kt white gold case back.
Sold for: 133,350 USD
LOT 110 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5575, SEALED 175TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TIME MOON WHITE. Sold September 10th, 2015. Very fine and rare, self-winding, water-resistant, 18kt white gold Anniversary Edition wristwatch with world-time system, large center moon phases and an 18kt white gold Patek Philippe deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, Attestation, setting pin, booklets and a Commemorative 175th Anniversary medal.
Sold for: 99,750 USD
Lot 248 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3970 DIAMOND DIAL. Made in 2002. Very fine and important, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases, leap year, 24-hour indication and an platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp. Accompanied by a fitted wooden box, an extra solid platinum caseback, setting pin, and an Extract from the Archives.
Sold for: 87,500 USD
LOT 113 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5975 175TH ANNIVERSARY CHRONOGRAPH PINK GOLD. Made in 2014 in a Limited Edition of 400 pieces to commemorate the 175th Anniversary of Patek Philippe (1839 to 2014), sold December 24th, 2014. Very fine and rare 18kt pink gold wristwatch with square-button chronograph, tachometer, telemeter, pulsometer and an 18kt pink gold deployant clasp engraved: Patek Philippe 1839 - 2014. Accompanied by the original wooden 175 Year box, pouch, Certificate of Origin, Attestation, Anniversary Medal and booklets.
Sold for: 87,500 USD
LOT 237 - ROLEX REF. 6241 PAUL NEWMAN STEEL Rolex. Made in 1968. Very fine and very rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with anti-reflective black tachometer bezel, round button chronograph and registers and a Rolex Ref. 7835 stainless steel Oyster folded bracelet. Accompanied by a Rolex fitted box.
Sold for: 85,000 USD
LOT 95 - BREGUET SOUSCRIPTION SET NO. 34 YELLOW GOLD. Made in a small series in 1991 to celebrate Antiquorum's Geneva auction "The Art of Breguet" in April 1991. Extremely fine, rare and important set comprising a minute-repeating, astronomic, 18kt yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, moon phases, 18kt yellow gold Breguet buckle and a large, keyless, astronomic, self-winding pocket watch with instantaneous calendar, moon phases and 45-hours power-reserve. Accompanied by a wooden presentation cabinet with winding provision for the wrist-watch and 2 certificates
Sold for: 81,250 USD
LOT 246 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3940 PERPETUAL CALENDAR PLATINUM. Made circa 2000. Very fine and rare, self-winding, platinum wristwatch with perpetual calendar, 24 hour and leap year indication, moon phases and a platinum Patek Philippe deployant clasp.
Sold for: 75,000 USD
Thanks.