Messages: 2857 Location: East Coast, USA
Registered: November 2003
A Virtual Preview: Highlights from Antiquorum NY's 8 June Auction PART 1 (modem warning!) >>>
Tue, 24 May 2011 00:25
Dear Friends,
On Wednesday, June 8th, Antiquorum New York will hold its second "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" sale of 2011, with 351 watches and clocks to be auctioned.
Some of the highlights of the sale:
* A unique platinum Vacheron Constantin Malte minute repeater with perpetual calendar, made in 2002
* A unique titanium and 18-karat pink gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Grande Complication, with perpetual calendar, split seconds chronograph, and a minute repeater
* An all original Patek Philippe ref. 3448 in 18 karat yellow gold
* Outstanding vintage Rolex watches, including a ref. 6062 triple date moonphase in stainless steel and a "Patent Pending" Double Red Sea-Dweller with Mark I dial
Included in this photo report are sound recordings of the first two highlights listed above. Please click each of the photos below to hear them...
The preview and sale information may be found by clicking here.
Thanks to the Antiquorum NY team, especially Nate Borgelt who assisted me in taking these photos for the TimeZone community.
All photos were taken handheld using a Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 100mm f/2.8 macro lens, and 580EX flash.
Lot 8: Audemars Piguet Skeleton Pocket Watch
Made in the 1970's, the skeleton work has given this watch a wonderfully open transparency. Note the fine engraving on the remaining elements of the movement.
Estimate: $5,000 - 7,000
Lot 71: Heuer Monaco Chronograph
One of the most collectible vintage Heuer watches, the "Monaco" was made famous by Steve McQueen who wore a variation while filming the 1971 movie "Le Mans". Made in 1972 and fitted with its original link bracelet, the large cushion-shaped stainless steel case measures 40 mm x 45 mm - perfectly sized for today's tastes.
Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
Lot 81: Panerai Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT, PAM 276
A large, dual-axis tourbillon made by Panerai in a limited edition of 100 in 2007. The PAM 276 houses the in-house cal. P.2005, which also features a GMT dual-time function and three mainspring barrels providing an impressive six days of power reserve. The substantial stainless steel case, with Panerai’s trademark security lever for protection of the winding crown, measures 47 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 19 mm.
Estimate: $50,000 - 70,000
Lot 94: Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox Polaris Tribute, Ref. 190.8.96
Originally launched in 1963, the Memovox Polaris was the first self-winding dive watch with a vibrating alarm complication. Reintroduced in 2008, this tribute model is nearly identical to the original, with its large 42 mm case size and water resistance to 200 meters. One of 768 examples produced, this is number 423.
The caseback has 16 apertures to maximize the sound volume of the alarm...
The dial has two revolving disks - one an inner rotating bezel along the circumference, and the second inner rotating dial at the center to set/indicate the time of alarm...
Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
Lot 97: Jeager LeCoultre Master Grand Tourbillon in Platinum
Jeager LeCoultre created quite a stir during the 2006 SIHH show when they announced pricing on their new Master Tourbillon series. For 35,000 CHF, including taxes, JLC would offer to the market a true in-house, automatic tourbillon in stainless steel - a bona-fide bargain for a manufacture tourbillon from a great brand. The caliber 978 automatic movement contains 33 jewels, uses a 22k gold rotor, and the tourbillon escapement, with Breguet overcoil, oscillates at a 28,800 beat/hour rate. Other features include a dual-time GMT function (indicated by the sub-dial at 12:00), and a date indicator that "jumps" from the '15' at 5:00 to the '16' at 7:00 in order to not obstruct the view of the tourbillon. Housed in a very modern 43mm x 13mm water resistant case, this platinum version, one of a limited edition of 300, features a black dial, applied gold dagger and arabic hour markers, and luminous 'alpha'-type hands.
Side-by-side with lot 95, another Master Grande Tourbillon in pink gold...
Estimate: $55,000 - 75,000
Lot 98: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, "Oceanografia"
Here is a very rare limited edition Offshore made in 2006 for the 40th anniversary of Oceanographia, a Mexican firm, 46 examples were produced - all in 18 karat white gold. The dial features a blue "grande-ta[word removed]erie" pattern with orange-colored luminous Arabic numerals. The impressively heavy case measures 42.5 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 14 mm.
Estimate: $15,000 - 20,000
Lot 99: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, "Bumble Bee"
Nicknamed (by yours truly) the “Bumblebee” because of its bright yellow hands and dial accents, this Offshore features a shiny black ceramic bezel that sharply contrasts with the smooth, matte texture of the forged carbon case. Released in 2009, this was the first non-limited edition Offshore to use forged carbon for the case.
The deployant clasp is composed of titanium and PVD-coated steel...
Estimate: $20,000 - 25,000
Lot 101: Audemars Piguet Millenary - Maserati Anniversary, MC12
Launched in 2006 to commemorate the success of the MC12, one of Maserati's most beautiful cars, in the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturer's Cup. The watch houses an oval-shaped movement, the AP cal. 2884, with black carbon plates, white gold and palladium mainspring barrels, and blue anodized aluminum bridges. Complications include a 10-day power reserve, chronograph, and tourbillon. One of 150 examples, the platinum case measures 42 mm x 47 mm, with a thickness of 16 mm.
Messages: 2857 Location: East Coast, USA
Registered: November 2003
PART 2 >>>
Tue, 24 May 2011 00:26
Lot 102: Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar, Ref. 3940P
Now discontinued, the ref. 3940 was produced beginning in 1985 and is/was considered by many to be the quintessential complicated modern Patek watch. Reasonably sized at 36 mm in diameter, with a very slender thickness of only 8 mm due in part to the use of the ultra-thin Patek caliber 240 as the movement base. Gold 3940s made beginning in 1993 and afterwards were sold with both sapphire and solid casebacks, however, platinum versions almost always came with a solid caseback. This example was sold in 2006, and remains in new condition.
Estimate: $45,000 - 65,000
Lot 114: Patek Philippe World Time, Ref. 5110
Produced beginning in 2000, the 37 mm ref. 5110 series of world timers were discontinued in 2005, replaced by the larger ref. 5130. I love the shade of blue used at the guilloché'd center of the dial.
Estimate: $25,000 - 35,000
Lot 116: Patek Philippe Ref. 5100 10-Days
One of 450 examples made in white gold to mark the year 2000. The large 34 x 46 mm case, forever retired, uses a design based on the smaller (28 x 41mm) vintage ref. 2554 "Manta-Ray". The shaped 10-day movement features 9 jewels set in gold chatons, and a free-sprung escapement using a Gyromax balance. The white gold dauphine hands and applied arabic and dagger markers look great against the blue dial. This example, sold in 2001, is in new condition.
Estimate: $50,000 - 70,000
Lot 161: Rolex Double Red Sea-Dweller, Ref. 1665 Patent Pending Mark I
One of a very small batch of "Patent Pending" 1665s, made in 1967, still fitted with a Mark I dial. The Mark I, or 1st generation, dial is characterized by the equal font sizes of the words "Sea-Dweller Submariner 2000". The "Patent Pending" double reds were produced before Rolex was granted its patent for their helium escape valve invention, hence their casebacks are engraved with the text "Patent Pending". Other distinguishing features include the use of a thin case, and the engraving of the last three digits of the serial number on the inner caseback. This example comes from the original owner.
Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000
Lot 166: Rolex Milgauss, Ref. 1019
A rare version of the Milgauss, reference 1019 anti-magnetic watches, with a polished steel bezel, a dial made of brushed aluminum, and small print "ROLEX" text. The dial on this rare variant uses no luminous material, and is believed to have been created in conjunction with the CERN particle research facility. The stainless steel case measures 38 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 13 mm.
Estimate: $20,000 - 25,000
Lot 168: "Jean-Claude Killy" Triple-Date Chronograph, Ref. 6236
One of the most desirable of all vintage Rolex sports watches, the so-called "Jean Claude Killy" triple-date chronographs from the 1950s were the most complicated series of watches ever offered by Rolex. They used a Rolex-modified Valjoux cal. 72C, and were housed in 36mm "Oyster" cases. The dial on this example from 1960 with embossed and plated hour markers and Rolex coronet.
Estimate: $80,000 - 100,000
Lot 169: Triple Date Moonphase, Ref. 6062
In stainless steel, this is a great condition example of the coveted ref. 6062. Produced from only 1950 to 1953, the ref. 6062 along with the ref. 8171 are the only Rolex watches ever to be offered with a moonphase. The dial has embossed and plated hour markers and displays the day and month through apertures below 12 o'clock. A blued-steel hand points to the date along the outer circumference of the dial. The 36 mm case houses a self-winding movement.
Side-by-side with lot 168...two highly complicated Rolex watches
Estimate: $150,000 - 200,000
Lot 194: Cartier Tonneau Cintrée
Made in the 1920s, this wonderfully curved Cartier Tonneau watch measures 35 mm long by 25 mm wide. The two-body case is made of platinum and an 18 karat pink gold caseback that is secured to the side of the case with screws. The watch is fitted with its original 18 karat pink gold Cartier deployant clasp.
Messages: 2857 Location: East Coast, USA
Registered: November 2003
PART 3 >>>
Tue, 24 May 2011 00:27
Lot 200: Cartier Marine
An exceptional Cartier-signed "Marine" watch made by Omega, this 18 karat yellow gold watch was made in 1933, manufactured one year after Omega's launch of the model. The Marine was the first watch to be successfully water tested at a depth exceeding 70 meters. The three-body case measures 23 mm x 36 mm, with a thickness of 8 mm.
A locking clip secures the case together...
The outer case conceals the winding crown...
Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000
Lot 201: Cartier Rectangulaire Tank
Another superb vintage Cartier in this auction, this very rare example from 1930 features a large, rectangular case made of 18 karat yellow and white gold. Inside is a European Watch and Clock Co. movement with 18 jewels and 8 adjustments.
Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
Lot 220: Omega Speedmaster, Ref. 105.012
This early, rare, and highly desirable caliber 321-based vintage Speedmaster was made in 1965 and is the first Speedmaster model to incorporate crown guards into its case. Retailed by Meister, Omega's official Swiss distributor, the dial and hands are all original.
Estimate: $4,000 - 5,000
Lot 241: Patek Philippe World Time, Ref. 5130
The replacement for the ref. 5110 world time (lot 114), the ref. 5130 was launched in 2007 with a larger, 39.5 mm case and a vintage-inspired, ring-shaped hour hand derived from those found on the ref. 1415 series of world time watches from the 1940s. The dial also differs from the 5110, with a blue sun-ray guilloché pattern found at the center. This example was sold in 2008, and remains in new condition.
Side-by-side next to the ref. 5110...
Estimate: $30,000 - 40,000
Lot 254: Audemars Piguet Vintage Wristwatch
Dating to 1960, this platinum ultra-thin AP was made for/retailed by Cartier, as indicated by an engraving on the caseback. Measuring 26 mm x 31 mm, it's extremely thin, thanks to the ultra-thin cal. 2003 movement within. The mesh bracelet, made by Cartier, is also platinum, whereas the deployant buckle is 14 karat white gold.
Estimate: $7,500 - 8,500
Lot 291: Longines "30CH" Chronograph
An exceptional vintage Longines chronograph fitted with the caliber 30CH movement. Vintage 13ZN and 30CH-based Longines chronographs are highly desirable due to their superb construction, large size, and flyback complication. Its multi-colored dial features chronograph calibrations with a red telemeter scale and a blue tachometer scale. In 18 karat pink gold, it measures 38 mm in diameter, and comes with its original box and guarantee papers.
Estimate: $8,000 - 12,000
Lot 302: IWC Beobachtungs-Uhr
One of 1000 delivered in 1940, made by IWC for German Air Force pilots...not very practical for use by civilians with its massive 55 mm diameter! This lot is accompanied by an IWC service warranty, a letter of authenticity with detailed technical information, and a letter from 1975 from IWC describing this particular watch.
Next to IWC's modern, large, but more civilian-sized re-introduction, the 46 mm "Die Grosse Fliegeruhr" - lot 74 of this auction...
Estimate: $40,000 - 50,000
Lot 312: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman", Ref. 6241
Made from 1961 through 1970, the ref. 6241 is a rare variant of the pump-pusher Daytona Cosmograph models, fitted with an acrylic bezel with the tachymeter scale printed in white on a black background. This vintage Daytona features a gorgeous dial known to collectors as the "Paul Newman" dial.
Messages: 2857 Location: East Coast, USA
Registered: November 2003
PART 4 >>>
Tue, 24 May 2011 00:28
Lot 327: LeCoultre Vintage Reverso
A vintage Reverso by LeCoultre made in the 1930s with its original chocolate-colored dial, very similar to one that achieved 30,000 CHF during Antiquorum's last Geneva auction in May. The stainless steel case measures 23 mm x 38 mm, with a thickness of 8 mm.
Estimate: $2,000 - 3,000
Lot 338: Patek Philippe, Early Wristwatch
An elegant early Patek wristwatch made in 1926, it features a pristine white enamel dial with black Breguet numerals and blued steel spade hands. The three-body cushion-shaped case measures 30 x 30 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 9 mm.
Estimate: $6,000 - 8,000
Lot 339: Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, Ref. 3971
A rare variation of Patek's immensely collectible ref. 3970 perpetual calendar chronographs, the 3971 differs from the 3970 due to having been sold with only an exhibition back (and not including a spare, solid caseback). This 18 karat yellow gold example from 1989 is fitted with feuille (leaf-shaped) hands and measures 36 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 13 mm.
Estimate: $90,000 - 110,000
Lot 340: Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar, Ref. 3448, retailed by Howes
One of 586 total 3448s produced from 1962 through 1982, this rare yellow gold example was made in 1977 and retailed by Howes, as noted on the dial. Housing the cal. 27-460 Q, the case measures 37 mm in diameter, with a thickness of 12 mm. Even though it lacks a leap-year indicator, the 3448 is indeed a full perpetual calendar. This example is in excellent, unpolished condition with strong hallmarks throughout.
Estimate: $100,000 - 120,000
Lot 342: Breguet Skeleton, Ref. 486
Based on one of the thinnest manual-winding movements ever made, the ultra-thin F. Piguet cal. 21, this skeletonized Breguet dress watch measures 34 mm in diameter, with a slender thickness of just 4.5 mm.
Estimate: $3,000 - 5,000
Lot 345: Vacheron & Constantin Vintage Watch
This beautiful, oversized vintage Vacheron from 1948 is fitted with its original dial with applied gold star hour markers. In 18 karat yellow gold with tear-drop-shaped lugs. A superb example.
Estimate: $6,500 - 8,500
Lot 349: Vacheron Constantin Malte Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater, Piece Unique
A modern, exceptionally complicated masterpiece by Vacheron, this platinum ref. 30041 is a unique piece, made in 2002. The silvered gold guilloché dial features applied white gold gold roman numerals, and a hand-engraved moonphase disk made of white gold. It measures 40 mm in diameter, with a surprisingly thin height of only 10mm. Click the first picture to hear its sound...
Estimate: $200,000 - 250,000
Lot 351: Audemars Piguet Grande Complication Automatique
Combining three true grande-complications - split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar, and minute repeater - AP's "Grande Comps" demonstrate AP's well-earned reputation of excellence in high-horology. Housed in a 43 mm x 15 mm titanium and 18 karat rose gold Royal Oak case, it was made in 2000 as a unique piece for AP's first "Time to Give" charity auction. The caseback is laser engraved with Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature, who, together with Muhammmed Ali, hosted the auction. Click the first picture to hear its sound...
Messages: 6265 Location: NY:LI
Registered: July 2007
Re: PART 4 >>>
Tue, 24 May 2011 07:50
Thank you very much, Paul, for posting. I enjoyed this very much. While all offerings are great, the one that stood out to me was lot 349, the VC Perpetual. Incredible watch. Now, if I sell my house........:)
Messages: 1434 Location: Colorado
Registered: March 2010
Re: A Virtual Preview: Highlights from Antiquorum NY's 8 June Auction PART 1 (modem warning!) >>>
Tue, 24 May 2011 10:24
Exceptional collection up for auction this time around. Great mix of vintage and modern classics, and plenty that are in the expected price range for most enthusiasts. Thanks.
