Antiquorum Sale Breaks Eight World Records For Important Watches

Geneva, Switzerland

:Antiquorum's October 13–14 sale of important collectors' watches, pocket watches and clocks achieved $9,283,000, set a lot of excellent prices and several world records. Selling 83 percent by lot and 139 percent by value, the sale took place at the recently refurbished Grand Hotel Kempinski.

All the habitual clients were present in the saleroom. Many private collectors and representatives from horological museums were bidding against almost 400 registered online bidders and a record-number clients having left absentee bids from all over the world. Twenty-five percent of the lots were sold via the firm's online platform. Collectors, especially from Asia, acquired many timepieces, as well as from the United States, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Antiquorum's website was visited by more than 15,000 people over the weekend.

The highlights of the sale were several Rolex watches, which, one after another, broke many world records. For example, a Rolex Ref 6542 "Yellow Gold GMT-Master Perspex Bezel" beat all previous results, selling at $141,000, three times its estimate, and a Ref 6239 yellow gold "Doctors Cosmograph" sold for $294,000, three times its estimate. Further, a military diver's watch, Rolex Ref 6154 , made in 1954, sold for $188,000, double its estimate.

Another world record was set for a pink gold triple chronograph by Audemars Piguet, made circa 1940, that, after fierce bidding, was acquired by a private collector who bid over the telephone for nearly $380,000. An additional world record was broken by a Patek Philippe Ref 3990 "Pink Gold and Diamond" example, which sold for $251,000.

An excellent price was achieved for a yellow gold Ref 2499 third series with tachometer dial, which sold for a top price of $674,000. A fantastic result was attained for the world time pocket watch with an enameled dial that sold for $256,000. Further outstanding prices were paid for Patek Philippe Master Control pieces.

Pocket watches with complications, including all watchmakers, proved very much sought after, especially by Asian clients and many high prices were accomplished confirming the strong demand.

Additional highlights included a Patek Philippe extra large one-minute tourbillion-first class observatory rating obtained in 1932–33, No. 198285, case No. 2804777, Ref 929, with movement made in 1929, cased in 1984, and sold on April 4, 1984. It brought $331,610.

An A. Lange & Sohne platinum tourbillion "Pour le Mérite," No. 43/50, movement No. 370, case No 110443, Ref 701.005, made in a limited edition of 50 examples in the 1990s, realized $303,135. The same price was paid for a Rolex Ref 6239, Yellow Gold "Doctors Cosmograph," case No. 1938064, made in 1969.

A Patek Philippe Ref 605, "World Time - Cloisonné World Planisphere Dial," No. 930837, case No. 654936, made in 1948 and sold on May 26, 1956, went out at $255,677.

Another Patek Phillippe, this one a "Pink Gold and Diamond Ref 3990," No. 3046785, case No. 4197929, made circa 2000 and no longer in production, fetched $250,932.

Prices reported were converted from Swiss francs to US dollars and include the buyer's premium. For information, www.antiquorum.com or 22 909 28 50.