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Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Announces Additional Highlights from The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV
Including a Previously Unknown and Fresh to the Market Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 First Series Retailed by Serpico y Laino
The Sale Represents the Very Best in Watchmaking Spanning the 20th and 21st Centuries
Patek Philippe Reference 2499 First series Estimate: CHF 2,000,000-4,000,000
GENEVA – 23 SEPTEMBER 2021 – Following the recent announcements of four extraordinary Philippe Dufour timepieces and five F.P. Journe’s “Souscription” wristwatches numbered #1 each and a Rolex Deep Sea Special, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is pleased to reveal additional highlights from The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV, taking place on 5 and 7 November, 2021. The top lot is an incredibly important and previously unknown yellow gold Patek Philippe wristwatch reference 2499 first series, retailed by Serpico y Laino with retailer’s stamped bracelet.
Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches, Continental Europe and Middle East, stated: “In a hundred years’ time, Geneva Watch Auction XIV’s catalogue could be used to have a glimpse into what watchmaking had to offer at its best in the 20th and 21stt centuries. This is thanks to the 40 plus brands represented, spanning an incredible array of periods, styles, complications and price points. We are thrilled to bring to the international watch community what is arguably our most diverse catalogue to date, from the most coveted watches on the market to pieces made by artisanal makers known by a handful of aficionados. What all these watches have in common is their rarity, state of preservation and relevance in the horological sphere today.”
Phillips’ team of watch experts has curated an incredible selection of watches spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, demonstrating the savoir-faire, technical and design prowess of the watch industry. On offer are watches that will attract both the budding enthusiast and most seasoned collector. The selection ranges from important watches by Patek Philippe, to Independent Watchmakers, to Richard Mille, as well as classic models from maisons such as Rolex and Audemars Piguet.
Patek Philippe Phillips has the immense privilege to offer two fresh to the market and previously unknown reference 2499 perpetual calendar chronographs. An astonishingly well preserved first series example in yellow gold retailed by Serpico y Laino replete with its original, heavy and beautiful bracelet also stamped by the retailer (estimate CHF 2,000,000-4,000,000). Recently discovered, this first series reference 2499 is a time capsule and depicts an incredibly well preserved dial and most probably unpolished case. Its rarity is unparalleled; it is one of two known reference 2499s retailed by Serpico y Laino, both with consecutive movement numbers. This also includes a second series coming from the family of the original owner, featuring a superb dial and strong case (estimate CHF 800,000-1,600,000).
Another impressive timepiece from Patek Philippe is the reference 2497 perpetual calendar in white gold, with a captivating and original white gold bracelet with “Florentine” finish, one of three known ref 2497s cased in this precious metal (estimate CHF 1,500,000-3,000,000).
Rolex The selection of Rolex models includes a most probably, unique and incredibly well preserved, reference 6062 in steel. The ref 6062 was introduced in the early 1950s and features day, date, month and moonphase indications. Placed discreetly beneath the day and month apertures, the K.W. Co signature suggests the watch was retailed by the “Knickerbocker Watch Company”, an American importer of Swiss watches and wristwatches. Despite this signature having been previously seen on various time only Rolex models (albeit rarely), this is the first time we see it on a reference 6062, making the present watch truly unique (estimate CHF 600,000-1,200,000).
Another watch of note is a possibly unique, spectacular and important yellow gold and multi gem-set Day-Date model from 1987, known as the “Rainbow”. The only one known of its kind, it is one of the very first "Rainbow" models the manufacturer ever made, probably even before Rolex had officially coined the model (estimate CHF 150,000-300,000).
Vacheron Constantin Phillips is delighted to offer a Vacheron Constantin reference 4737 “Cioccolatone” that was previously unknown, and that changes scholarship as it is made in the rarest of precious metals: platinum. This makes it the only example known in this metal and whose unique status is confirmed by the Vacheron Constantin Extract from the Archives (estimate CHF 200,000-400,000).
Another Vacheron Constantin highlight is the brand’s iconic reference 4178. In spectacular condition and stainless steel, the watch features alluring facetted lugs and an incredible two tone salmon dial with rare pulsometer scale (estimate CHF 100,000-200,000).
Audemars Piguet Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak is one of the market’s most coveted models and this season a noteworthy highlight is one of the original Ref 5402 Series A from 1972 (estimate CHF 60,000-120,000) as well as an ultra-rare reference 5402 Royal Oak in yellow gold, with Tiffany & Co. signature, one of only two known examples (estimate CHF 1000,000-200,000). Other examples include a series of perpetual calendar skeleton models in the Royal Oak collection, in yellow gold, stainless steel and platinum, and an uber-luxurious full platinum reference 25829, complete with its box and paperwork (estimate CHF 150,000-300,000).
Richard Mille Richard Mille’s selection comprises cutting edge models, as the brand has accustomed us to including a mind-boggling RM 27-04 limited to 50 pieces and made to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Mille and tennis legend Rafael Nadal. The watch’s bridges are made to resemble tennis chords, the case is made of TitaCarbâ and the whole watch, including the strap, weighs a mere 34 grams! (Estimate CHF 800,000-1,600,00)
Another incredible piece is the elusive RM11-03 flyback chronograph made of titanium and ATZ. This watch was never publicly offered or communicated by Richard Mille but reserved for the brand’s most valuable customers (estimate CHF 250,000-450,000).
Independent Watchmaking Continuing our tradition of empowering and shining a spotlight on Independent watchmakers, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is proud to present a number of important wristwatches such as an Opus One Resonance in platinum by F.P. Journe in collaboration with Harry Winston, a Series 2 in pink gold by Roger Smith, a tourbillon pocket watch made by Derek Pratt for Urban Jürgensen, an MB&F Legacy Machine 1 “Longhorn” Prototype, and a unique Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8.
F.P. Journe and Harry Winston Phillips is also proud to present the Harry Winston Opus One Chronomètre a Resonance in platinum (estimate CHF 300,000-500,000), made in collaboration with F.P. Journe. It is the first of a long lineage of Opus projects but one of the most sought-after examples. The present Opus 1 was made in 6 unique examples with different dial colors and/or diamond set bezels. This example is certainly the most flamboyant with its purple dial and copper numerals.
Roger Smith Series 2 Roger Smith is, in a way, the standard bearer of British high horology; meticulously crafting mechanical masterpieces in his workshops on the Isle of Man to which only a happy few would have access, not by deliberate choice, but due to the limited production of 15 watches leaving his ateliers each year. Smith was not only the sole watchmaker the great George Daniels took on board as an apprentice, but he later collaborated with the master in working on his wristwatches. The Series 2 was Smith’s first round watch of perfect proportions featuring his first fully in-house developed and made caliber using the Daniels co-axial escapement. An incredibly attractive piece, the present Series 2, is one of five made in pink gold featuring a hand crafted floral motif and one of only two with hand engraved barrel bridge and balance cock (estimate CHF 120,000-240,000).
Derek Pratt for Urban Jürgensen Pocket watch Tourbillon Derek Pratt is certainly one of the greatest watchmakers of the past 50 years, yet his name is not widely known. A British horologist who spent the larger part of his professional career in Switzerland, Pratt was a contemporary of George Daniels with whom he had long telephone conversations each Sunday where they would discuss experiences and challenges faced in their respective pursuit of chronometry. Even though not officially recognised by Daniels, the latter consulted Pratt on many of his innovations and Pratt even made some components for him. However, Derek Pratt’s oeuvre was never completed under his own name but that of the newly reborn Urban Jürgensen & Sönner brand as the latter’s technical director from 1982 to 2005. During his tenure there he made around a dozen pocket watch tourbillon with or without remontoire. The present example, with lever escapement, is fully handmade by Pratt himself not only the movement which is incredibly finished but also the case and dial (CHF 100,000-200,000).
MB&F Legacy Machine 1 “Longhorn” Max Büsser has been rocking the horological boat for close to 15 years with his Sci-Fi pop culture kinetic wrist sculptures that also happen to be incredible wristwatches. However, with his Legacy Machines he is paying an incredible tribute to the horological greats of the 19th century. Presented in 2011 and discontinued in 2017, the Legacy Machine one set the design language for the ensuing models: a domed crystal, extra-large 14mm balance suspended over the dial and held by an arch shaped bridge and superlative movement finish done in conjunction with none other than Kari Voutilainen. In celebration of the Legacy Machine 1’s 10th anniversary, Phillips is delighted to have been entrusted by MB&F to offer this visually arresting and technically captivating unique stainless steel prototype – a rare occurrence as the brand never makes unique pieces – featuring elongated lugs which coined the nickname “Longhorn” that never made it into production stage and unique black dials not found in other LM1s. The proceeds of the sale of this watch will go to charity (estimate CHF 80,000-150,000, to be offered without reserve).
Kari Voutilainen 28SC-SB Great Shining Sun In celebration of the 20th anniversary of his going independent, Kari Voutilainen presented in 2021 his latest creation the 28SC made in a limited edition series of 12 pieces. At the time of the launch, the watch was the very first Vingt-8 movement to have a center seconds function. Upon announcement of the 28SC, all models were immediately sold out, making the present watch the only known example to be available for public purchase. One notable innovation of this watch is that the case is made of solar-forged steel that is 100% recycled and recyclable, reducing its carbon footprint. The present unique piece Great Shining Sun differs from the limited edition models as the dial features a yellow gold center and a blue hand guilloché periphery (as opposed to green), but the main difference is the case featuring straight lugs as opposed to the facetted lugs found on the limited edition model (estimate CHF 50,000-100,000).
Other interesting and attractive wristwatches to be offered from Independent Watchmakers include brands such as Urwerk, De Bethune, Christian Klings and Laurent Ferrier.
Others Far too numerous to mention, but other relevant and important watches to be offered from prestigious brands include A. Lange & Söhne, Cartier, Gerald Genta, Zenith, Longines and Omega.
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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 $133 million in 2020.
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 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.
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.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
PRESS CONTACTS: GENEVA - Asta Ponzo, PR Consultant aponzo@phillips.com +41 79 961 85 66 LONDON - Katie Carder, Head of Press, Europe kcarder@phillips.com +44 20 7901 7938
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