Messages: 2611 Location: East Coast, USA
Registered: November 2003
A Virtual Preview: Highlights from Antiquorum NY's 13 Dec Auction >>>
Sun, 09 December 2012 21:51
Dear Friends,
Just in time for the holidays, on Thursday, December 13th, Antiquorum New York will hold its final auction of 2012, "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces", at their offices in The Fuller Building in New York City.
A couple exceptional highlights of this sale include a unique Patek Philippe ref. 5016 and a very rare Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars 10-minute repeater with tourbillon. Click on the pictures below to hear their sound:
I spent the early afternoon today photographing a selection of watches during the first preview day in New York. Here was the scene...
Tables dressed up for the season...
...and some of the displays...
Heavy hitters...
Lots o' Panerai's...
Previews will continue Monday through Wednesday this week, from 10 AM to 6 PM in advance of the auction. If you're near New York, I encourage you to visit Antiquorum during one of the previews to see these watches in person. There are watches available at nearly all price ranges beginning at under $1000, and Antiquorum provides a welcoming preview environment that allows one to examine and try on so many different watches with no pressure to purchase. Their experts know watches, and they happily provide advice and tips to help educate buyers.
Please forgive the fingerprints, dust marks, and less-than-ideal lighting. All photos were taken handheld using a Canon 5D Mark II, 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, and the 580EX flash.
Thanks to Nate Borgelt and Michael Friedman for their help with these photographs.
Lot 2: Cartier Crash, Ref. 091-91 in Yellow Gold
Let's start with this spectacular, asymmetrical Cartier wristwatch from 1991. One of a limited edition of 400, the series was a re-introduction of the original Crash watch launched by Cartier in 1967. Thought to have been inspired by Salvador Dali's surrealistic paintings, in actuality, it came about following a fatal car crash which took the life of a Vice President at Cartier's London office. He was wearing a Cartier Baignoire Allongée (see the next lot), which sadly melted as the car burned. As a tribute to the fallen executive, the Crash watch, resembling the mangled watch, was born.
This manual winding modern version is marked 'Paris' on the dial, whereas the originals were marked 'London'. In yellow gold, it measures 39 mm in length, with a diameter of 22 mm.
Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
Lot 3: Cartier Baignoire Allongée
A dramatically curved and large Baignoire model made by Cartier London in 1969, the case's style was originally launched by Cartier way back in 1912 (and officially named Baignoire in 1973). Housing a Jaeger LeCoultre-signed manual winding mechanical movement, the 18 karat yellow gold case measures 24 mm wide, 53 mm long, and 7 mm thick.
Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000
Lot 85: Ulysse Nardin Freak
The truly extraordinary "Freak" features a revolving movement, which is at the same time the minute hand, that completes one revolution every 60-minutes. It also features Ulysse Nardin's innovative "Dual Direct Escapement", with two wheels made from single-crystal silicon that transmit impulses directly to the balance wheel. The watch's huge mainspring spans the entire diameter of the case, and provides 7 full days of power reserve. This 18k pink gold example was made in 2006, and is accompanied by the original box. The case measures 43 mm in diameter, with a thickness of just 10 mm.
The silicon escape wheels can be seen at the center, in purple and green...
Estimate: $25,000-35,000
Lot 97: IWC Portofino
A rare, original Portofino wristwatch, which is the inspiration behind the Portofino Hand-Wound - a tribute watch launched in 2008 as part of IWC's Vintage Collection. This model was launched in 1984 as a pocket watch-style wrist watch, and features slender Breguet-style hands, elegant Roman numerals, and an oversized 46 mm case in 18 karat yellow gold. Inside is the IWC caliber C 9521, a very thin pocket watch movement in gilt brass with 19 jewels.
A seconds sub-dial is found at 9 o'clock...
And a superb, shimmering moonphase disk is found at 3 o'clock...
Lot 115: Rolex Chronograph, Ref. 6238
A rare and highly desirable vintage Rolex chronograph - the ref. 6238 is generally referred to by collectors as the "Pre-Daytona". This example, dating to 1960, features a beautiful original dial with a small underline beneath the "Oyster Chronograph" text at 12 o'clock - a very subtle and minor detail that's appreciated by collectors. A manual-winding 3-register chronograph, the stainless steel case measures 36 mm in diameter with a thickness of 14 mm.
The caseback features an engraved dedication...
Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000
Lot 130: Vacheron & Constantin 20 Dollar Coin Watch
Fitted inside an American $20 Liberty Head double eagle gold coin, is an ultra-thin watch with the Vacheron caliber 1003 manual-winding movement. We took an in-depth look at a current production openworked example in this post. The example in this auction was made in 1980, and is accompanied by its original box and guarantee paperwork. The case measures 35 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 4.5 mm.
Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
Lot 145: Vacheron Constantin Pocket Watch, "Lake Geneva" Enamel
This simple, vintage pocket watch dates to 1945 and features an 18 karat yellow gold case with a very finely painted enamel scene of Lake Geneva by Helen May Mercier. She studied under the renowned enameler, Charles Poluzzi who's works have been commanding huge prices at auctions recently. The case measures 46 mm in diameter. In exceptionally good condition - it comes from the family of the original owner, it's one of the most impressive pieces of the auction...
The dial's print is highest quality champlevé enamel...
The detail is incredible...
Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000
Lot 150: Breguet Tradition, Ref. 7027 in White Gold
Launched in 2005, the "La Tradition" brilliantly replicated the look of early timepieces made by Abraham Breguet in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The free-sprung escapement uses a beautiful variable inertia balance wheel and a hairspring with a Breguet overcoil. Shock absorption is provided by a modern version of Breguet's "parachute" shock protection device. The white gold casecase measures 38 mm in diameter with a thickness of 12 mm. This example dates to 2007 and includes its original box, warranty, and paperwork.
Estimate: $12,000 - 18,000
Lot 160: Patek Philippe Ref. 5270 Perpetual Chronograph
Introduced in 2011 as the successor to the Patek 5970, the ref. 5270 is the brand's first perpetual calendar chronograph to be fitted with a fully in-house movement - the caliber 29-535. In 18 karat white gold, the case measures a substantial 42 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 12 mm. This example was made in 2012, and includes its original box, certificate of origin, paperwork, and an extra, solid caseback.
Stamped with the "Patek Philippe Seal"...
The centers of the 3 and 9 o'clock sub-dials' are offset below the center point of the dial...
Estimate: $130,000 - 180,000
Lot 278: Patek Philippe Ref. 3473 in Pink Gold
The self-winding ref. 3473 is among the rarest of all time-only watches Patek produced in during the 1960s. In 18 karat pink gold, the case measures 35 mm in diameter with a thickness of 9 mm. It houses Patek's second generation automatic movement, the legendary in-house caliber 27-460 with a solid 18 karat gold rotor.
Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
Lot 313: F.P. Journe Octa Calendrier Ruthenium Limited Edition
Housed in a 40 mm platinum case, this Octa Calendrier dates to 2003 and is one of only 99 made. It features an annual calendar complication, with a retrograding date indicator and large apertures for the day and month. The movement is based on Journe's in-house "Octa" self-winding caliber, with five days (120 hours) of power reserve and a solid 22 karat gold guilloché'd rotor. The entire movement, including the gold rotor, was ruthenium plated.
The frosted dial is made from 18-karat white gold, and, like the movement, plated with ruthenium giving it a dark gray color. The guilloché'd time sub-dial is surrounded with Journe's signature polished stainless steel frames. Fitted with a heavy, solid platinum bracelet, it includes its original box, papers, and loupe.
Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000
Lot 314: Panerai Radiomir PAM 373 in Platinum
One of a limited edition of 300 produced in 2011, the PAM 373 features a platinum Radiomir-style case measuring 47 mm x 47 mm in diameter. Inside is the manual-winding cal. P3000, Panerai's in-house manual winding movement with three days of power reserve. The brown-colored, sandwich-type dial is inspired by two surviving vintage examples, with a mix of dot and bar shaped luminous hour markers. In new condition.
Estimate: $25,000 - 35,000
Lot 319: Rolex 'Paul Newman' Daytona, Ref. 6239
Produced beginning in 1963, this Daytona features a gorgeous multi-colored dial known to collectors as the "Paul Newman" dial. This example was made in 1968, and uses the Rolex caliber 722 movement, based on the Valjoux 72. The dial is in fantastic condition, and the watch is accompanied by Rolex service papers from 2005.
Estimate: $50,000 - 70,000
Lot 320: Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Tourbillon 10 Minute Repeater
A fascinating and very rare high complication watch by Audemars Piguet. One of only 10 made, this ref. 26072 features a tourbillon and unusual minute repeater mechanism that operates in the following way: When the minute repeater's slide is activated, the elapsed hours, elapsed 10 minutes, and then elapsed minutes are repeated via its hammers and gongs. Note the subtlety - instead of the elapsed quarter hours (as is typical with minute repeaters), the 10 minutes are repeated! The silver dial, with applied gold Roman numerals and feuille hands, incorporates a sun-ray guilloché pattern and aperture for the tourbillon at 6 o'clock. The 18 karat pink gold case measures 40 mm in diameter, and the watch, made in 2006, includes all boxes and papers. Click the first picture to hear its sound...
Estimate: $80,000 - 120,000
Lot 323: Audemars Piguet Jump Hour
A lovely and very rare vintage AP wristwatch dating to 1926. In 18 karat yellow gold, the case measures 36 mm x 26 mm, with a thickness of 8 mm. Hours are indicated via the aperture at 12 o'clock using a rotating disk with red-colored numerals. Unfortunately, the seconds hand has fallen off - it may be inside the case, as it was present when photographed for the catalog.
Estimate: $7,000 - 10,000
Lot 327: Patek Philippe "Disco Volante", ref. 2551 in White Gold
Extremely rare in white gold, this reference 2551 was made in 1957 and uses Patek's first generation automatic movement, the cal. 12-600AT. A screw-down caseback for strong water resistance, along with a larger, 36mm case size help to make the ref. 2551 a practical, timeless, and most desirable vintage Patek.
Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000
Lot 331: Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar, Ref. 1526
One of only 210 reference 1526s, this beautiful, early Patek perpetual was made in 1948. In 18 karat yellow gold, the case measures 34 mm, with a thickness of 11 mm. Long, slender feuille hands along with an absolutely elegant presentation of the calendar indications combine to make it one of the most elegant perpetual calendar dials produced by Patek. The snap-down case back at one point had a personalization, which has since been removed. The low estimate reflects this case refinish, making it significantly more affordable than an unpolished example.
Estimate: $60,000 - 80,000
Patek Philippe Chronograph, Ref. 1463 in Yellow Gold
The reference 1463 is a classic 2-register chronograph produced beginning in 1940. This example was made in 1948, and features gold baton hands and applied gold baton and Roman indexes. Measuring 35 mm in diameter, its case was relatively large for the era. Combined with a screw-down caseback, it's a highly collectible vintage chronograph due to its large size and practicality.
Estimate: $120,000 - 180,000
Lot 336: Patek Philippe Split Seconds Chronograph Regulator
Entirely made by Patek Philippe for the American retailer, Merrick, Walsh, and Phelps, this spectacular pocket watch from 1882 features a split seconds chronograph and regulator-style time indication via the sub-dial at 3 o'clock. A very rare movement, this is the only known example to be cased in a pink gold box-style case made by Patek. The dial is signed by the retailer, but the movement - clearly made by Patek, is unsigned. As the watch was made for an American retailer, the case and movement were both very "American" in style and finish. It measures 55 mm in diameter.
Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000
Cartier Minute Repeater
An elegant, very thin minute repeating dress pocket watch from 1925. Inside is an exquisite movement made by European Watch & Clock Co. In 18 karat yellow gold, the watch measures 47 mm in diameter.
Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000
Lot 536: Patek Philippe Reference 5016 in Platinum
The highlight of the sale is a unique Patek reference 5016 fitted with a black dial with red and silver print. With a perpetual calendar with retrograding date, tourbillon, and a minute repeating mechanism, the 5016 was Patek's most complicated wristwatch until the release of ref. 5002, the Sky Moon Tourbillon. This example, made in 1999, is in platinum and features a red retrograde date indication and minute scale, red on black day/month/leap year disks, and silver print seconds sub-dial and Patek Philippe logo. In new condition. Click on the first picture to hear its sound...
- Paul Boutros