Geneva, March 16, 2008. Antiquorum, the world’s leading watch auctioneer, realized a good result with its first auction in 2008 by selling SFr. 9,634,852. From the catalogue’s 806 lots, more than 70% were sold by lot and 120% by value.
The March sale of Important Collectors’ Watches, Pocket Watches & Clocks was held at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva on March 15&16. The collectors present in the room were competing against a record-high 430 registered on-line bidders and an exceptional amount of telephone bidders. International participation came especially from Asia, Russia, Germany and France. 20 % of the lots was sold via the Antiquorum on-line system.
The highlights of the sale were lots 413, the Patek Philippe, Genève “Ref. 2499, Fourth Series” that sold for Sfr. 356’000; a “Boîte à Surprise” (lot 551) with concealed erotic automata, hallmarked in Paris 1784-85 was acquired for 238,000. The wristwatch made by Lange & Söhne “Pour le Mérite” in platinum (lot 243) has been sold for Sfr. 249,800 and the very fine, unique, ultra-Complicated Wristwatch "Grande Sonnerie", by Gérald Genta in yellow gold achieved Sfr. 238,000 (lot 241).
Other exceptional results include a Rolex that once belonged to the Formula One driver Ayrton Senna that sold for Sfr. 36’000, four times its pre-sale estimate. Another exceptional price has been paid for a F. Tissot pocket watch made in 1910 (lot 569) which was acquired by the museum collection for Sfr. 92’400. Generally the Pocket watches did very well, selling mainly to European buyers, such as lot 739 that sold for Sfr. 155’400. The Rolex sport watches all went very high, including exceptional results for lot 724 “Milgauss” Ref. 1019 that sold for 87’600 and a “Yellow Gold Cosmograph Daytona” (lot 309) which attained Sfr. 98’000.
Mr. Brandon Thomas, Principal Auctioneer said after the auction “We are pleased with the result of the first spring sale. Considering the wild fluctuations in the exchange rates and the uncertain economic climate this result, surpassing last year’s spring sale by 50%, is very satisfactory”
All prices include buyers’ commissions. (Approx. rate: SFr/US$: 1.00)
Picture shows, from left to right:
Lot 413
Yellow Gold 2499, Fourth Series Patek Philippe, Genève, movement No. 869470, case No. 2700428, Ref. 2499. Made in 1977, sold on January 10, 1978. Very fine, rare and important 18K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, 30-minute register, perpetual calendar, moon phases. Accompanied by the Extract from the Archives. Sold including buyer's premium: 356,000 CHF
Lot 243
Pour le Mérite A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte I. SA., Tourbillon "Pour le Mérite", movement No. 336, case No. 110444, Ref. 701.005. No. 44 of a limited edition of 50 examples. Made in 1996. Extremely fine and rare platinum wristwatch with one-minute tourbillon regulator, and 36-hour power reserve. Accompanied by fitted box, guarantee, and instruction booklet. Sold including buyer's premium: 249,800 CHF
Lot 203
Unique and Ultra-Complicated Wristwatch Gérald Genta, Geneva, "Grande Sonnerie", No. 1, Ref. G0025.7. Made in 1994, part of a series of only four examples. Sold including buyer's premium: 238,000 CHF
