Phillips Inaugural New York Watch Auction: WINNING ICONS - LEGENDARY WATCHES OF THE 20TH CENTURY October 26 2017

A thematic evening sale taking place on 26 October, the sale will offer 50 exceptionally rare and iconic collectors’ watches of the 20th century. Some of the finest watches available anywhere in the world in terms of quality and condition will be offered, including elegant dress, sports, and complicated watches by the best known manufacturers such as Patek Philippe and Rolex, as well as A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Cartier, Omega, and Vacheron Constantin, and also leading independent brands such as Philippe Dufour – all made before the turn of the century. Phillips worked once again with Pucci Papaleo and his renowned team to create a stunning catalogue for this landmark auction with photography by Fabio Santinelli - the world’s leading photographer of watches.

Highlights from the WINNING ICONS sale will be on exhibition in Taipei (27– 28 September), Hong Kong (30 September to 2 October), London (4 – 7 October), Seattle (10 October), Los Angeles (12-14 October), and New York (20-26 October). On view will be the top lot – the legendary Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona owned and worn by Paul Newman, previously announced here. The worldwide tour will also feature highlights from the 11 November thematic sale "The Crosthwaite & Gavin Collection" devoted to Heuer watches, the 12 November Geneva Watch Auction: SIX sale, and the 28 November Hong Kong Watch Auction: FIVE sale.

Paul Boutros, Head of Watches, Americas, and Senior Vice President, said "New York represents our third selling location following Geneva and Hong Kong since the start of our department in November 2014. We are delighted to open this important market with a thematic auction dedicated to iconic wristwatches of the 20th century. The inspiration for this sale came from one of the world’s most legendary watches – the singular, one and only Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona owned and worn by the Hollywood legend himself. Auctioned for the first time ever in the country where Paul Newman was born, raised, and worked; it’s truly an American story of one of the most famous American actors of all time."

Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant, added, "We are proud to launch our watch auctions in New York with this groundbreaking thematic sale. After observing particularly strong demand from American clients over the past several years for vintage and modern collectors’ watches, we collaborated with Pucci Papaleo and his team of world-class professionals to create an exciting evening sale in one of the world’s most important markets for watches. Led by the watch so many of us have dreamed of one day finding – Paul Newman’s own Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona, the selection of 50 iconic watches offered will delight both novice and experienced collectors alike. It's a true honor to auction this historic timepiece."

The auction will take place at Phillips’ New York saleroom beginning at 6PM.

PATEK PHILIPPE, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
Reference: 1518

Patek Philippe, Reference 1518: A very rare, attractive, and important perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in 18 karat pink gold, circa 1951.

The world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph produced in series, only 281 examples were made – the vast majority in yellow gold, rarely ever seen in pink gold, and only four known in stainless steel. The present pink gold example is fresh to the market and previously unknown, coming directly from the descendant of the original owner.  As one of the most desirable perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches to own, this rare timepiece is a treasure to behold, and a veritable trophy for the connoisseur of complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches.

Estimate: $600,000 – 1,200,000

PATEK PHILIPPE, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
Reference: 2499

Patek Philippe, Reference 2499: A very rare, attractive, and important perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in 18 karat yellow gold, circa 1968.

Amongst high-end complicated wristwatches, the Patek Philippe reference 2499 can be considered one of, if not the most, iconic and desirable trophy watches to crown any collection. Produced between 1951 and 1985, in a limited number of approximately 349 examples, this model is the second generation of Patek Philippe’s lineage of high quality precision perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches.  The present, third-series example in yellow gold from 1968 is in beautifully preserved, original condition. Its timeless aesthetics combined with exclusivity, and superb collectability presents a rare opportunity for discerning collectors.

Estimate: $350,000 – 700,000

ROLEX, ‘Luminous Padellone’
Reference: 8171

Rolex, Reference 8171: A very rare, fine, and important triple calendar stainless steel wristwatch with luminous dial and hands, and moon phase, circa 1950.

A superb and extremely rare stainless steel example of Rolex’s reference 8171 – one of the most legendary, best proportioned, and consequently sought after vintage wristwatches ever made by any manufacturer. The present example is fitted with one of the rarest of all dial types seen on the reference, with luminous dial and hands. Preserved in remarkable condition, it must be considered as one of the world’s finest examples in existence.

Estimate: $400,000 – 800,000

AUDEMARS PIGUET, Perpetual Calendar
Reference: 5516

Audemars Piguet, Reference 5516: An extremely rare and important perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year and moon phase in 18 karat yellow gold, circa 1957.

The present watch is an outstanding example of what is amongst the finest watches ever produced by Audemars Piguet during the 1950s. The reference 5516 is a true gem not only for its modern day appeal, but also for its importance in the history of horology as the first perpetual calendar wristwatch to display a leap year indication.  Manufactured in 1957, it is one of just nine examples ever made by the firm. Fresh to the market and preserved in wonderful overall condition, it represents a unique opportunity to own a truly iconic, landmark perpetual calendar wristwatch.

Estimate: $300,000 – 600,000

VACHERON CONSTANTIN, ‘Cioccolatone’
Reference: 4764

Vacheron Constantin, Reference 4764: An extremely rare, important, and oversized triple calendar wristwatch with triple calendar and moonphase, „Cioccolatone”, circa 1958.

The present „Ciccolatone” is, without a doubt, the finest and best-preserved example of the reference 4764 triple calendar moon phase known to exist. One of barely a handful known in pink gold, it is the earliest of the three. In breathtaking original condition, the unpolished, hardly ever worn case retains its original factory finishing throughout. One of the most important and desirable Vacheron Constantin wristwatches to be offered at auction in recent memory, it’s a true trophy watch for the world’s finest collections.

Estimate: $200,000 – 400,000

ROLEX, ‘Stelline’
Reference: 6062

Rolex, Reference 6062: A very rare, fine, and important triple calendar wristwatch with star dial and moon phase, „Stelline”, circa 1953.

Few watches cause as much fervor and excitement among collectors as the mythical reference 6062, featuring an Oyster case. Launched in 1950 and produced for only a handful of years, the reference was available in stainless steel, yellow and pink gold, and sold with several dial types.  The faceted star dial, as seen on the present watch, is one of the most rare and sought after. The present example, in its original, unrestored state of preservation, is a wonderful addition to any collection of distinction, and an opportunity that the most demanding collectors of vintage wristwatches should not miss.

Estimate: $250,000 – 500,000

ROLEX, ‘The Americas’
Reference: 6284

Rolex, Reference 6284: An exquisite, incredibly fine and highly attractive 14K yellow gold wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial depicting North and South America, circa 1950.

The present reference 6284 is a highly important Rolex wristwatch fitted with a spectacular cloisonné dial depicting a miniaturized map of the Americas. Scholarship indicates that only six Rolex watches featuring a map of the Americas are known to date. Housed in a timeless, 14 karat yellow gold Oyster case made only for the American market, it is in perfect accordance with the dial’s geographic motif. This example’s stunning beauty, uniqueness, and exceptional craftsmanship demonstrate in every way that this was a true Rolex masterpiece when made in 1950. Over 60 years later, it remains a treasure worthy of crowning the world’s finest collections.

Estimate: $300,000 – 600,000

ROLEX, ‘Submariner Big Crown’
Reference: 6200

Rolex, Reference 6200: A very rare, early, and important stainless steel diver's wristwatch with 3-6-9 ‘Explorer’ Dial,  „Submariner”, circa 1954.

Collectors speak of „grail” watches, and the Rolex Submariner reference 6200 is one such watch. Made in 1954, the year in which Rolex introduced the iconic ‘Submariner’, the present watch features the rare and coveted „Explorer” 3-6-9 dial that epitomizes this first generation model, lacking both the Submariner signature and depth rating. Fresh to the auction market and one of a very few examples of the reference to ever appear at auction, its breathtaking condition makes it one of the finest examples known.

Estimate: $250,000 – 500,000

PATEK PHILIPPE, ‘Padellone’
Reference: 3448

Patek Philippe, Reference 3448: A very rare, fine, and attractive perpetual calendar wristwatch in 18 karat white gold, circa 1972.

Reference 3448 was the first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch made by Patek Philippe introduced in 1962. There were 586 examples produced until 1981, the majority of which were cased in yellow gold. The present example, one of a small number made in white gold, is in stunningly crisp condition. Adding to its desirability, this reference 3448 is fresh to the market, and is made even more rare due to its unusual dial configuration, with reversed, inward facing date numerals found on the bottom half of its date sub-dial.

Estimate: $250,000 - $500,000

PHILIPPE DUFOUR
Duality

Philippe Dufour, Duality: An extremely rare, attractive, and important wristwatch with double regulator in platinum, circa 1996.

A modern master, Philippe Dufour is considered amongst the greatest watchmakers of the present day, revered for crafting timepieces with a high degree of technical complication, sublime design, and exquisite finishing.  In 1996, Dufour introduced his iconic Duality, the world’s first wristwatch incorporating a double escapement. Only nine were made including the present watch with the extraordinary number ‘00’ - the very first Duality made by the master himself. A modern masterpiece in every way, the present lot is an extremely rare opportunity to obtain one of the rarest, most important, and most sought after timepieces created by a living legend.

Estimate: $200,000 – 400,000 

CARTIER
Grand Tank Cintrée

Introduced in 1921, the 9-ligne, Grand Tank Cintrée model was the largest and boldest variation of Cartier’s Tank line. With its long, slender, and gracefully arching case, the Cintrée is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful watches made during the 1920s to 1940s. The present Grand Tank Cintrée, in platinum fitted with its original Cartier platinum 7-link bracelet is, quite possibly, the finest and best-preserved example known.

Cartier Tank Cintrée: An extremely rare and important, oversized, curved rectangular wristwatch in platinum with original Cartier platinum bracelet, circa 1927.

Estimate: $250,000 – 500,000

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Auction: Thursday, 26 October | 6pm

Location: 450 Park Avenue, New York

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 worldwide market leadership in 2016, with a sale total of $106 million.

A selection of our recent record-breaking prices:

1. Patek Philippe 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 wristwatch at auction
2. Rolex „Bao Dai” reference 6062 – (CHF 5,066,000 /US $5,060,427) – Geneva watch Auction: FIVE – 13 May 2017 – Highest result ever achieved for any Rolex sold at auction
3. Patek Philippe 2499 (HKD 19,720,000 /US $2,538,000) – Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO – 31 May 2016 – Highest result ever achieved for any wristwatch sold at auction in Asia

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:

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GENEVA - Asta Ponzo, PR Consultant                                                            aponzo@phillips.com                    +41 799618566

ASIA - Katie Carder, Press Manager, EMEA                                                    kcarder@phillips.com                                   +44 20 7901 7938

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