Phillips Announces Early Highlights from
The New York Watch Auction: X
Possibly Unique, Fresh-to-Market Philippe Dufour Duality with Two Dials to Lead Sale at $800,000-1,600,000
Live Auction on 8-9 June at 432 Park Avenue to Also Feature Important Timepieces by Patek Philippe, Rolex, F.P.Journe, and Hajime Asaoka
NEW YORK – 19 APRIL 2024 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is proud to release a selection of highlights from The New York Watch Auction: X, which will take place on 8-9 June. This flagship, live auction will feature an impressive selection of “best-of-the-best" rare and important timepieces, including a Philippe Dufour Duality that has never been seen by the public, a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special,” a stainless steel Patek Philippe Ref. 5004A, and a unique Hajime Asaoka’s Prototype Tourbillon PURA. Prior to the exhibition in New York, all of these timepieces will travel on an international tour to London, Singapore, Geneva, and Hong Kong with additional sale highlights travelling to Los Angeles and Canada.
Paul Boutros, Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas, and Isabella Proia, Head of Sale and International Specialist, said, “It is our pleasure to announce highlights from The New York Watch Auction: X, certainly the most diverse auction we have assembled in the seven years of Phillips hosting watch auctions in the Americas. Spanning wristwatches, pocket watches, and clocks from Swiss, British, German, and Japanese makers, this auction presents the very best that the category has to offer. We’re thrilled to present one of only nine Philippe Dufour Duality watches ever made. Fresh-to-market and the only example known with two dial and hand sets, the Duality’s launch in 1996 was a monumental achievement in wristwatch history as the world’s first wristwatch incorporating a double escapement. From Philippe Dufour’s Duality to an exquisite Patek Philippe Observatory Chronometer made for Henry Graves – the timepieces in this sale showcase the relentless pursuit of innovation that defines the fascinating, ever-evolvng horological landscape.”
PHILIPPE DUFOUR, Duality¸ An exceptionally rare, possibly unique, and fresh-to-market white gold wristwatch with double escapement, second lacquered dial and hand set, certificate of origin, and fitted presentation box, 1999
Estimate: $800,000-1,600,000
Introduced in 1996, Dufour’s Duality was the world’s first wristwatch with double escapement featuring two independent balance wheels incorporating a central differential gear, enabling extraordinary accuracy.
After having miniaturized a Grande & Petite Sonnerie movement to fit inside a wristwatch, Dufour tackled the challenge of shrinking a dual-escapement movement into a caliber that could be housed within a wristwatch. With great success, he managed to shrink the differential mechanism to the size of a matchstick head, allowing the movement to feature two large balances.
Dufour had planned on making 25 Duality timepieces in total. However, due to their complexity and the fact that the market at the time did not grasp the importance of the timepiece, he made only 9. Today, Dufour’s Duality is considered a monumental achievement in wristwatch history. So important was its launch that it would inspire François-Paul Journe to revisit his own dual-escapement design – the Resonance, which he first attempted years earlier within a pocket watch. Four years after the Duality’s introduction, Journe would introduce the world’s first Resonance wristwatch.
Fresh-to-the-market, the present Duality is extremely well-preserved and offered complete with its original boxes and guarantee. This example is also most probably unique – the only one in existence to feature a second, lacquered dial with Roman numerals and Breguet-stye hands. Phillips has been entrusted with the sale of two Duality wristwatches in the past, and this third example, unseen by the public until now, in 18K white gold, numbered 03, is an important addition to the scholarship of Philippe Dufour and of modern mechanical watchmaking.
ROLEX, Paul Newman John Player Special, An extremely rare, luxurious, and well-preserved yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, black “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial, and Rolex Atelier de Restauration guarantee and box, Circa 1970
Estimate $500,000 - 1,000,000
Of the approximately 14,000 early Rolex Daytona reference 6239s produced beginning in 1963 until 1969, only approximately 300 were cased in 18K yellow gold. And of those 300, only a handful were fitted with the luxurious black Paul Newman “John Player Special” dial. The present is just such an example, having been fully serviced by Rolex Geneva’s own Atelier de Restauration in 2021. It remains preserved in stunning condition, with a flawless dial and impressively proportioned case and bracelet.
While it is most common to see this dial fitted to the acrylic bezel reference 6241, it is even rarer to see it fitted to the metal bezel reference 6239. When paired with an ultra-luxurious 18K yellow gold Oyster bracelet, the effect is unparalleled. Fitted with the extremely coveted “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial, the combination is unquestionably striking.
Though serviced by Rolex, the service invoice included with the watch indicates explicit instructions not to restore the case, bracelet, or dial. Only the movement was serviced and the crystal replaced. Phillips is thrilled to present this reference 6239 with black Paul Newman “John Player Special” dial from the collection of an international connoisseur.
PATEK PHILIPPE, Ref. 5004A, An extremely rare, highly coveted, and complex stainless steel perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hour indicator, leap year indicator, original certificate, and additional caseback, 2012
Estimate $500,000 - 1,000,000
Produced in limited examples between 1994 and 2012, the reference 5004, a perpetual calendar with split-seconds chronograph, remains one of the most technically advanced and scarce wristwatches of the Lemania ébauche-era. Accordingly, approximately 12 examples were made per year due to the difficulty in creating and assembling the movement to Patek Philippe’s standards.
To commemorate the reference’s retirement in 2012, Patek Philippe made the unexpected choice of casing very few examples in stainless steel as the reference 5004A – a choice not without precedent but of rare occurrence. Patek Philippe rarely made complicated stainless steel watches throughout its history, and have become the most sought-after examples of Patek’s horological oeuvre. Furthermore, the 5004A was only offered to the brand’s very best clients, all sold through the Geneva Salon, and the sapphire caseback and solid caseback were all engraved with the name of the original owner.
Though a rumored 50 pieces were created, only 9 examples have surfaced at auction thus far. The present example, with its original accessories and matching casebacks, is fresh to the auction market and preserved in impeccable overall condition.
PATEK PHILIPPE, Pocket Watch Chronometer, A historically important, extremely rare, and exquisitely finished pocket watch chronometer with up-and-down indication, made for Henry Graves Jr., 1913
Estimate $100,000 - 200,000
Phillips is honored to offer this wonderful, open-face pocket chronometer made for Henry Graves Jr. Widely considered one of the 20th century’s most important watch collectors, he is best remembered for his legendary competition with automobile entrepreneur James Ward Packard to commission some of the most complicated timepieces ever produced. Graves would end up the ultimate victor, having commissioned the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication. Delivered in 1933 with 24 complications, it was the most complicated timepiece ever made, holding that distinction for over half a century.
Before Graves’ pursuit of ultimate complications, he sought the highest performing, most accurate timepieces produced by the finest watchmaking brands. Always choosing 18 karat gold or platinum, he specifically requested the #1 rated movements from annual chronometry competitions held at the Swiss Observatories – each hand-built and hand-adjusted by the brands’ best watchmakers. Equivalent to Formula 1 race cars, these “observatory chronometers” were a nod to Graves’ own pursuit of perfection and excellence. Before delivery to Graves, their cases would be engraved with his family motto, “Esse Quam Videri” - To Be Rather Than to Seem.
The present lot is certainly one such example. Delivered in October 1921, with an “Extra Special”-signed movement and case engraved with Graves’ family crest, the watch first appeared at auction in December 2010, offered by the then owner who acquired the watch from the estate of Marilyn Prescott Graves, the granddaughter of Henry Graves Jr.
Whilst the exact number of Packard and Graves-commissioned timepieces is unknown, approximately 30 have appeared on the market to date. Accordingly, any time a Packard or Graves-owned timepiece is offered, the collecting world takes notice. These timepieces, including the present lot, are, without any doubt, the apex of fine watchmaking of the 20th century – the very best watches, made by the best brands for the world’s greatest collectors.
F.P.JOURNE, Centigraphe Souverain “F”, A striking, extremely rare, and innovative platinum chronograph wristwatch with vibrant red dial, platinum bracelet, 100th of a second, 20-second, 10-minute registers, guarantee, and presentation box, 2014
Estimate: $200,000-400,000
In production between 2008 and 2017, the F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain “F” was available as a boutique exclusive and upon special request only. The combination of a striking red dial and yellow accented hands are daring design choices, with the dial being an exact match to Ferrari’s “rosso corsa,” or racing red. The combination of 15 years of research and testing by Journe combined with his relationship with Jean Todt, who was at the time the CEO of Ferrari, resulted in the creation of this unprecedented chronograph ideal for car racing.
Powered by the in-house cal. 1506 composed of 18K gold bridges and plates, the complex movement enables the dial to display an unconventional chronograph with 100th of a second register, 20 seconds register and a 10 minute register. Paired with a luxurious platinum five-row bracelet, the overall effect of the dial, accents, and platinum livery result in a tremendous effect.
Furthermore, the present wristwatch is accompanied by all of its original accessories. Preserved in excellent overall condition, this Centigraphe “F” is one of only approximately 20 believed made, and is considered the most coveted of all Journe Centigraphes.
HAJIME ASAOKA, Prototype Tourbillon PURA, A unique, highly important, and extremely attractive stainless steel prototype tourbillon wristwatch with black lacquer dial, certificate, and presentation box, numbered 0, 2022
Estimate $120,000 - 240,000
Hajime Asaoka is a relatively new yet revered name in the market, gaining repute with his superbly hand-crafted timepieces that are quite difficult to obtain. His early career as a product designer put him in contact with watchmaking enthusiasts. Inspired, Asaoka purchased a copy of George Daniels’ “Watchmaking,” which led to the creation of his prototype Tourbillon Number 1, in 2009. By 2011, Asaoka was manufacturing a small collection of timepieces – all designed, manufactured, and assembled by himself, resulting in an extremely low annual production of no more than a few pieces. He is committed to the preservation of traditional mechanical watchmaking while pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Asaoka’s craft is rooted in Japanese culture, aesthetics, and Zen philosophy, which are reflected in his timepieces, harmoniously balancing meticulous attention to detail, precision engineering, and understated elegance. The present prototype Tourbillon PURA, is based on Asaoka’s pursuit for purity of the tourbillon. Like other 21st century craftsmen, he used new materials such as A7075 duralumin used for the tourbillon carriage, for higher efficiency and accuracy.
Prominently featured in a 2022 Financial Times article, Phillips is honored to present this unique, fresh-to-the-market prototype tourbillon from Japan’s most important independent watchmaker. Numbered 0, it is offered in near new condition, likely worn less than a handful of times, complete with its original accessories.
GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR
LONDON | 19-21 April | Phillips, 30 Berkeley Square, London W1J 6EX
SINGAPORE | 26 – 28 April | The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, S247911
GENEVA | 8-12 May | Hotel President, Quai Wilson 47, 1211 Geneva
HONG KONG | 20-25 May | Phillips, 1/F, WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, No. 8 Austin Road West Kowloon
LOS ANGELES | 24-25 April | Phillips, 9041 Nemo Street, West Hollywood, CA
Auction: 8-9 June 2024
Auction viewing: 5-7 June 2024
Location: 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY
Click here for more information: https://www.phillips.com/auctions/auction/NY080124
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. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. 2023 marked the second most successful year for Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo with an annual total of $215.8 million.
Record–breaking prices include:
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 vintage 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 vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch at auction.