Antiquorum's December 8 auction of "Important Watches & Jewelry" totaled $4,016,475. The outstanding and diverse selection of timepieces and fine jewelry sold for a remarkable 86% by lot with strong international competition from China, Hong Kong, India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, as well as the United States.
"We are delighted by the results for our December auction," said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO of Antiquorum. "The outstanding outcome for today's auction confirms that the New York market continues to achieve strong prices for rare examples of modern as well as vintage timepieces with particularly aggressive competition from internet bidders from across the globe."
The top highlight of the sale was the exceptional Patek Philippe Ref. 5213 Minute-Repeater Retrograde Perpetual Calendar (lot 274). The extremely rare 18K white gold minute-repeater from the property of a distinguished collector sold for a noteworthy $389,000.
Other complicated wristwatches from Patek Philippe were also in high demand in the December auction. Appealing to serious Patek Philippe collectors, the Ref. 5078 Minute Repeater with Enamel Dial in Platinum (lot 125) was acquired for $245,000. Also highlighting the sale, the Patek Philippe Ref. 3970 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with Champagne Dial Retailed by Beyer in Yellow Gold (lot 273) inspired an exciting bidding war between a Chinese phone bidder and a US phone bidder ultimately selling to the Chinese bidder for a staggering $113,750.
"We are thrilled by the strong results for rare and complicated watches offered in today's sale," said Saori Omura, Watch Director of Antiquorum New York. " As confirmed by the excellent results for the Patek Philippe Ref. 3970 with ultra-rare Champagne Dial and the Patek Philippe Ref. 5213 minute-repeater, collectors continue to seek out exceptional single-owner pieces when adding to their timepiece collections."
Chopard achieved an important result in the sale with its Ref. 4250 Imperiale Tourbillon Baguette Diamonds in Pink Gold (lot 81) that sold to a phone bidder for $205,400.
Unusual limited edition timepieces from independent brands attained noteworthy prices. The Richard Mille Ref. RM005 Felipe Massa Limited Edition in Titanium (lot 55) achieved $48,750; while the Richard Mille Ref. RM016 Argentina Special 15 Piece Limited Edition PVD Titanium (lot 56) attained $40,000. Also enticing bidders, the MB & F Tenth Anniversary Horological Machine HMX Blue Titanium and Stainless Steel (lot 54) sold for $23,750.
Rolex watches were also highly sought-after by collectors. The Rolex Ref. 4062 "Coin-Edge" Pink Gold Chronograph (lot 213) attracted bidders attention and sold for $33,750. In addition, two gold Day-Dates were in high demand; a Rolex Ref. 18348 Day-Date with diamond-set bezel and bracelet with pave-set diamonds (lot 210) sold for $33,125, over quadruple its high estimate; and the Rolex Ref. 1811 Day Date with Crosshatch Finish achieved $17,500 (lot 211).
A rare Seiko timepiece attained an outstanding result in the December sale; the Grand Seiko Chronometer in Platinum (lot 247) achieved over double its estimate, selling at $13,125. Proceeds from the sale of this piece will benefit PetAid Colorado, a not-for-profit organization that is the safety net for underprivileged pets offering veterinary care needed to prevent animal suffering and relinquishment.
Antiquorum's foray into jewelry was met with great success as confirmed by the impressive 95% sell-thru rate for all jewelry offered in the sale. Among the top jewelry highlights was the cover lot, a 9.01 ct. Yellow Diamond in a platinum setting flanked by tapered baguette diamonds (lot 172) that sold for $75,000. Other highlights include an unmounted Marquise Brilliant Cut Diamond (lot 181) that was acquired for $78,125; and a Graff Diamond Platinum and Yellow Gold Necklace and Matching Bracelet (lot 183) that sold for $173,000.
Antiquorum looks forward to its next auction on March 11 in Hong Kong, which will encompass an extraordinary selection of modern and vintage timepieces.
The "top lots" for the sale are as follows:
Lot 274 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5213 MINUTE-REPEATER RETROGRADE PERPETUAL CALENDAR WHITE GOLD. Made circa 2013. Extremely fine and rare, important, astronomic, self-winding, minute-repeating, 18K white gold wristwatch with retrograde perpetual calendar, moon phases, and an 18K white gold Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted wooden box, Certificate of Origin, setting pin, booklets and a leather folder with technical data and instructions.
SOLD FOR: $389,000
LOT 125 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF 5078 MINUTE-REPEATER WHITE ENAMEL DIAL PLATINUM. Sold on February 13th, 2014. Extremely fine and rare, elegant, self-winding, minute-repeating, platinum wristwatch with white enamel dial and a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted wooden winding box, Certificate of Origin, solid platinum case back, and a leather folder with technical data and instructions.
SOLD FOR: $245,000
LOT 81 - CHOPARD REF. 4250 IMPERIALE TOURBILLON BAGUETTE DIAMONDS 18K PINK GOLD. Made circa 2010. Very fine and rare, 18k pink gold baguette diamond Chronometer wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, 8-day power-reserve and a Chopard 18K diamond set pink gold buckle. Accompained by the original fitted box, and instruction booklet.
SOLD FOR: $205,400
LOT 183 - GRAFF DIAMOND CHOKER NECKLACE PLATINUM & YELLOW GOLD, featuring high quality round brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds, mounted within graduated platinum and yellow gold sections. Approx. overall length 38 cm. GRAFF DIAMOND BRACELET PLATINUM & YELLOW GOLD, featuring high quality round brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds, mounted within platinum and yellow gold sections. Approx. overall length 190 mm.
SOLD FOR: $173,000
LOT 273 - PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3970 PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WITH CHAMPAGNE GOLD DIAL RETAILED BY BEYER YELLOW GOLD. Made in 1997, sold July 14th. 1998. Very fine and rare, astronomic, water resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar and moon phase with a Patek Philippe yellow gold deployant clasp. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, solid 18K gold case back, setting pin and booklets.
SOLD FOR: $113,750
LOT 178 - RUBY & DIAMOND BRACELET PLATINUM Nine oval faceted rubies (Origin: Burma [Myanmar], total WEIGHT 14.42ct.) flanked by baguette, marquise and round brilliant-cut diamonds (total WEIGHT 29.70 ct.), mounted in a pierced platinum frame. Accompanied by copies of grading report by Gubelin Gem Lab Ltd. (Switzerland), No. 14075097 and by C. Dunaigre Consulting GmgH (Switzerland), No. CDC 1408302.
SOLD FOR: $100,000
LOT 57 - VACHERON & CONSTANTIN REF. 30051 TOURBILLON SKELETON PINK GOLD. Sold December 1994. Extremely fine and rare, skeletonized, 18K pink gold wristwatch with twin-barrel, one minute Tourbillon, 42 hours power reserve indication and an 18K pink gold Vacheron & Constantin buckle. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, booklet, warranty and service papers dated July 26th, 2016.
SOLD FOR: $81,250
LOT 181 - AN UNMOUNTED DIAMOND Maquise Brilliant Cut diamond (apprx. 3.86ct., Color Grade: E, Clarity Grade: Internally Flawless). Accompanied by a grading report by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), NO. 2165564120.
SOLD FOR: $78,125
LOT 167 - BULGARI CHANDRA CHOKER NECKLACE DIAMOND & YELLOW GOLD Very fine and rare, 18K yellow gold choker with 33 short pave diamond-set dangles.
SOLD FOR: $75,000
LOT 172 - PLATINUM & DIAMOND RING Large centrally set emerald-cut yellow diamond (Color: Fancy Brownish Yellow, 9.01 ct., VS1 clarity), flanked by round and tapered baguette diamonds (approx. 5 ct.), mounted in platinum. Accompanied by the GIA certificate No. 5171073861, GIA grading report, an independent appraisal and fitted box. RING SIZE 7.00.
SOLD FOR: $75,000
Thanks.