PHILLIPS ANNOUNCES: ONLY WATCH CHARITY AUCTION & ONE OF THE FINEST SELECTIONS OF VINTAGE WATCHES IN RECENT MEMORY – THE GENEVA WATCH AUCTION: TWO TO TAKE PLACE IN GENEVA ON 7 AND 8 NOVEMBER 2015
HIGHLIGHTS ON VIEW IN OCTOBER
IN HONG KONG, BEIJING, NEW YORK, LONDON AND GENEVA
HONG KONG INAUGURAL WATCH AUCTION TO TAKE PLACE ON 1 DECEMBER
ONLY WATCH CHARITY AUCTION: 7 NOVEMBER 2015, 3PM
THE GENEVA WATCH AUCTION TWO: 7- 8 NOVEMBER 2015, 6:30PM
VIEWING: 5-8 NOVEMBER 2015, HÔTEL LA RÉSERVE, GENEVA
AUCTION LOCATION: HÔTEL LA RÉSERVE, GENEVA
GENEVA – 28 SEPTEMBER 2015 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is pleased to announce details of the Fall season auctions dedicated to fine collectors’ watches that will take place on 7 and 8 November 2015 at Hôtel La Réserve, Geneva. Highlights from the auctions will be available to view in Hong Kong (2 to 5 October), Beijing (9 to 12 October), New York (17 to 20 October) and London (24 to 27 October) prior to the pre-sale exhibitions in Geneva.
The Only Watch auction beginning at 3PM on Saturday 7 November is dedicated to unique timepieces created and donated by the finest watchmakers for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) – it will offer 44 one-of-a-kind timepieces created especially for this noble cause – establishing watchmakers’ continued support for scientific and medical research on neuromuscular diseases.
Phillips’ second watches auction will take place on the grounds of Hôtel La Réserve, Geneva, as with the sales in May, and will begin on the evening of Saturday 7 November at 6:30PM, continuing at 6:30PM Sunday 8 November. Faithful to its publically communicated core values and mission, Phillips has rigorously applied its industry-leading standards in terms of quality, condition, originality, and provenance in its selection of watches for this sale. Phillips has, as a result, put together a highly compact and exciting auction of only approximately 200 watches that reunites some of the most beautiful watches that can possibly be obtained. The Geneva Watch Auction: Two is estimated to realise over $14 million (€12.5 million / $13.7 CHF).
Quite possibly the most recognizable watch in history with over 1 billion people having watched the film “Live and Let Die”, the wristwatch seen on Sir Roger Moore is in fact a Rolex Submariner reference 5513 made in 1972, and was later modified for the movie.
The acclaimed Rolex Submariner worn by Sir Roger Moore was memorable for its buzz saw bezel that spun and could cut through rope to escape dangerous situations, and the hyper intensified magnetic field with the ability to deflect bullets. Used for both humor and heightened dramatic events, the magnetic reach could unzip Miss Caruso’s dress, and catch a spoon off a coffee saucer.
The present Rolex reference 5513 “Q” is the most unforgettable watch prop used in a movie and is even signed inside the caseback “Roger Moore 007”. As a highlight in the most iconic scenes “Live and Let Die”, this watch is sure to interest both watch collectors and true fans of cinematography alike.
Simultaneously rare and stunning, the “Solo Rolex Quicksilver” is so exceptional that it graces the cover of the landmark tome, “Ultimate Rolex Daytona” by the renowned scholar, Pucci Papaleo. A reference 6239 in stainless steel made in 1968, it’s fitted with an extraordinary, and quite possibly unique dial with only the word ‘ROLEX’ written in bold black printing at 12 o’clock. Playfully nicknamed the ‘Solo Quicksilver’, the model name “Cosmograph” seen on nearly all other 6239s is missing, giving strong prominence to the iconic brand name.
This watch is, unquestionably, one of the rarest versions of the legendary Daytona. Possessing remarkable elegance, its importance in the field of collectible Rolex watches cannot be overstated. It is a trophy watch worthy of crowning the world’s most important collections of Rolex watches.
In the 1950s, Rolex produced some of the most iconic cloisonné dial wristwatches in conjunction with world renowned Stern Frères of Geneva.
The present reference 6102, in virtually mint condition and seemingly unworn, is adorned with a spectacular cloisonné dial made by one of Geneva’s most acclaimed enamellers, Mrs. Koch, who worked with Stern to produce some of the most sought after Rolex watches to date. The dial depicts a wonderful scene featuring a multi-colored boat at sea, topped with facetted baton hour markers.
Audemars Piguet produced very few minute repeating wristwatches through the 1920s. The present watch was originally purchased by Henry Haven Windsor, Jr., the son of the founder of Popular Mechanics magazine and an avid watch collector. After his father's death, when Windsor was 26 he became editor and publisher of the magazine, which had originally been founded in 1902.
The combination of many highly desirable elements such as the platinum case, the minute repeating movement, the Cartier signature and Breguet numerals on the dial is impressive. Few complicated vintage wristwatches can better echo the style of the 1920s and 30s as this watch.
This is the second season of auctions to take place since Phillips announced the creation of its Watch Department dedicated exclusively to the world’s finest collectors watches. The department is based in Geneva and partners exclusively with Bacs & Russo, the firm of Aurel Bacs and Livia Russo.
As of August 2015, Phillips announced the appointment of Sam Hines as International Head of Watches in Hong Kong. Sam is currently heading the global team of Watch Specialists from Phillips’ recently opened Asian Headquarters in the landmark Building in Hong Kong.
Highlights of the Geneva auctions will be available for viewing at the following locations:
2-5 October 2015 Hong Kong Peak Suite, Four Seasons Hotel
9-12 October 2015 Beijing * Salon Monaco
17-24 October 2105 New York Phillips HQ - 450 Park Avenue
24-27 October 2015 London Phillips HQ - 30 Berkeley Square
5-7 November 2015 Geneva Hôtel La Réserve
* Please note, the Beijing exhibition will be limited to the Only Watch auction highlights
ABOUT PHILLIPS, IN ASSOCIATION WITH BACS & RUSSO:
The Phillips Watch Department, created in November 2014, is dedicated exclusively to the vast world of Fine Collectors Watches. The department, based in Geneva, is partnered with the firm of Aurel Bacs and Livia Russo. Bacs & Russo, specialising in Fine Collectors Watches, has been established in response to the ever-increasing need for collectors around the world to easily access scholarship, guidance and quality across the board. The inaugural watch auctions held on 9 and 10 May 2015 realised a combined total of SFr 29.6 million / $31.8 million / €28.4 million, selling 97% by lot. The auctions sold four watches for over $1 million and established multiple records including for any stainless steel wristwatch, for any Rolex sold at auction, and for any Rolex Day-Date.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
VISIT US AT WWW.PHILLIPS.COM AND WWW.PHILLIPSWATCHES.COM
Follow Phillips on Twitter | Instagram | Vimeo | Facebook | Pinterest | Tumblr | LinkedIn
Follow Phillips Watches on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr