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PRESS RELEASE

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Presents

“Jean-Claude Biver: A Retrospective. Share, Respect, Forgive”

An Exceptional Exhibition Illustrating the Visionary’s

Life-long Passion for Watches

Featuring Pieces from the World’s Finest Watchmakers

Including Patek Philippe, Omega, Philippe Dufour, Rolex, and Hublot

London: 24 - 28 February 2020

Jean-Claude Biver, Non-Executive President LVMH Group Watch Division

LONDON – 6 FEBRUARY 2020 – In recent years, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo was primarily known for sourcing the world’s rarest vintage watches. Their team of experts are committed to sharing their passion with the widest possible audience. In its continuing search for exclusive horological moments to enjoy with this audience, Phillips had the great pleasure to cross the path of Jean-Claude Biver, better known as a cornerstone of the modern Swiss Watch Industry, who helped build, influence and cement the destiny of watch brands such as Blancpain, Omega, Hublot and more recently Tag Heuer and Zenith. He now serves as Non-Executive President of LVMH’s Group Watch Division.

Visionary, taste-maker, leader, legend and charismatic are just some of the recurrent adjectives that come to mind when describing Mr. Jean-Claude Biver, a man whose brains are behind the meteoric rise of some of the most iconic luxury watch brands in the industry.

Jean-Claude Biver Patek Philippe Collection 1518, 2499, 1579 and 96HU

Phillips is honoured to present “Jean-Claude Biver: A Retrospective. Share, Respect, Forgive” a very special exhibition through the eyes of an industry luminary. This non-selling exhibition exclusively consists of Mr Biver’s private collection of watches and will be held in London, from February 24 to 28, 2020. This exhibition started in Geneva in November 2019 and has since toured in Hong Kong and New York. Models presented include exceptional pieces of horology made by some of the world’s most important watchmakers notably Patek Philippe, Rolex and independents like Philippe Dufour and Rexhep Rexhepi, or by brands Mr Biver represented notably Blancpain, Omega, Hublot, Tag Heuer or Zenith.

Jean-Claude Biver, Non-Executive President LVMH Group Watch Division, said: “Having celebrated 70 years of which 45 in the watch industry, I am delighted to share with the lovers of horology a unique exhibition of my passion for brands, watches and moments which are today an unforgettable part of my career and my life.”

Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant Bacs & Russo and James Marks, International Specialist and joint exhibition curators, commented: “Jean-Claude Biver is a larger-than-life man and one of only a small handful of visionaries in the Swiss watch industry who must be credited for having brought true innovation, created thousands of jobs and likely one of the best ambassadors the world of horology ever had. We are incredibly honored to call him a friend and be entrusted with this unique and largely unseen selection of highlights from his personal watch collection, spanning a century of watchmaking and many of the rarest brands, most fascinating complications and, very importantly, personal watches that marked his 45-year long distinguished career. We are very much looking forward to welcoming enthusiasts around the globe in the coming months on 3 continents where Jean-Claude Biver will personally be present and engage with collectors during panel discussions and lectures”.

The exhibition is open to the public and the entry is free.

Please click here to view and download images.

Please click here to visit the online page and watch the full video.

Permission for the use of any image is granted by the holder of the intellectual property rights for timely reporting and auction review purposes only. The underlying intellectual property rights in any property depicted remain the property of the rights holder. Phillips does not make any representations with respect to or accept any responsibility for any third party uses.

Courtesy of Phillips.

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Exhibition: Monday 24 February to Friday 28 February, 10am – 5.30pm.

Location: 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX.

ABOUT PHILLIPS IN ASSOCIATION WITH BACS & RUSSO
The team of specialists at Phillips Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service, achieving a sale total of $ 108 million in 2018 – its third consecutive year as the worldwide market leader in watch auctions.

A selection of our recent record-breaking prices:

1. Paul Newman’s Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 (CHF 17,709,894/US$17,752,500) – New York Auction: Winning Icons – 26 October 2017 – Highest result ever achieved for any wristwatch at auction.

2. Patek Philippe reference 1518 in stainless steel (CHF 11,020,000 /US$11,112,020) – Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR – 12 November 2016 – Highest result ever achieved for a Patek Philippe wristwatch at auction.

ABOUT PHILLIPS

Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world. In addition to providing selling and buying opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services.

Visit www.phillips.com for further information.

PRESS CONTACTS:

LONDON - Katie Carder, Head of Press, Europe kcarder@phillips.com +44 20 7901 7938

GENEVA - Asta Ponzo, PR Consultant aponzo@phillips.com +41 79 961 85 66

NEW YORK - Jaime Israni, Senior Public Relations Specialist jisrani@phillips.com +1 212 940 1398

PHILLIPS NEW YORK - 450 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022

PHILLIPS LONDON - 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX

PHILLIPS HONG KONG - 14/F St. George’s Building, 2 Ice House Street, Central Hong Kong

PHILLIPS GENEVA - Hôtel La Réserve, 301 Route de Lausanne, Geneva

VISIT US AT: www.phillips.com

06 February 2020

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Presents “Jean-Claude Biver: A Retrospective. Share, Respect, Forgive”