Never before has a digital auction from the region brought together so many timepieces of such importance and value. The Dubai team have sourced 200 lots of rare and coveted watches for an estimated total ranging from USD 9,000,000 to 15,000,000
Continues the successful digital marketplace innovating auctions remotely at Christie’s throughout 2021.
CHRISTIE’S DUBAI
24 March to 8 April – Watches Online: The Dubai Edit – ONLINE
Remy Julia, Director – Head of Watches Middle East – India – Africa – Russia, says “The Dubai Edit online auction is a game-changer. Never in the history of watch auctions has a 100% online event offered timepieces of such quality, be they modern or vintage. This has been made possible only because of our specialists’ great reputation in the industry. This is the perfect barometer for current collector’s demands globally, bringing together exceptional watchmaking in one innovative format. This auction reaffirms Dubai as a global tech hub for vintage and collectible watches.”
The Dubai Edit Online auction is the most important global online-only auction from the industry to date. The Dubai team of experts have sourced around 200 lots, estimated at USD 9,000,000 to 15,000,000. Among the watches to be offered, there will be the most in-demand references, from grand complications by Patek Philippe and Gérald Genta, to collectible minute repeaters, a selection of Rolex tool watches from the Dato-Compax reference 6036, to the Rolex Big Crown reference 5510, as well as an impressive line-up of rare timepieces from one of the most coveted independent watchmakers today, F.P Journe.
Highlights include the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon reference 5002 in platinum, the most complicated watch produced by Patek Philippe at the time of its production. Two others exceptional Patek Philippe timepieces will also be presented during this auction, both of which possibly have unique dials: reference 5004R with a ruby dial, and reference 3990P with a light grey dial.
CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK
9 to 23 March – Watches Online
16 to 26 April – Rare Watches New York
8 June to 22 June – Watches Online
The New York auction (16 to 26 April) will feature Patek Philippe iconic watches that have become rarities in the world of auctions. Highlights will include the celebrated perpetual calendar reference 3448 in white gold (USD 250,000 to 450,000) and a reference 1463 featuring the prestigious double signature Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co. (USD 100,000 to 180,000).
Rémi Guillemin, Watches Specialist, says “The online auction from New York kicked off the season in the best possible way with impressive results, selling over 96% by lot and 122% by value, solid numbers showcasing the strength of the market and the international outreach of Christies’ specialists. It highlights Christie’s ability to curate major online sales of the highest quality. This also includes the success of our December Online sale in 2020, claiming the title of most important sale ever realized for an online watch auction at Christie’s. With the April and June sales, we are preparing for another very special year and are eager to present horological icons to the most exigent international collectors.”
CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG
22 March to 1 April – Watches Online: An Important Private Asian Collection Part VI
9 April to 19 April – Watches Online: A Private Collection Part II
19 May to 2 June – Watches Online Sale
22 May – Important Watches – Day & Evening Live Auctions
Christie’s Hong Kong is honoured to expand its offering this season across three online-only sales, as well as one day auction and a standalone evening auction at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on 22 May. A carefully curated selection of historically important and museum-quality timepieces will be on offer, with the evening auction led by the 18K yellow gold Patek Philippe reference 3448J Alan Banbery. This one-of-a-kind automatic perpetual calendar from 1970 was especially modified by request of Henri and Philippe Stern in 1975 as a unique piece for presentation to Alan Banbery (estimate: USD 3.1 Million – 5 Million, please click here for details). This evening auction will also feature some of the rarest and most exceptional horological designs by Patek Philippe including a probably unique platinum world time wristwatch reference 1415HU from around 1940 (estimate: USD 2.5 Million – 4.5 Million).
Alexander Bigler, Vice-President and Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia Pacific says “We are thrilled and honoured to have been consigned with this unprecedented offering in Hong Kong in terms of scale and value, encompassing vintage and modern timepieces, from amphora-form clocks to wristwatches, to be presented in our online-only sales and in the live auctions this May. These exciting sales are poised to continue our undisputed market leadership in offering the finest vintage timepieces in the region, and also will mark a monumental chapter for watch auction history in Asia and beyond.”
CHRISTIE’S GENEVA
4 to 18 May – Watches Online: Geneva Edit
10 May – Rare Watches – live Auction
The Geneva Rare Watches will include a large selection of highly sought-after timepieces from Patek Philippe, Rolex, and prestigious independent watchmakers, including the first serially produced Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch, ref. 1518. The pink gold examples of this extremely rare model are believed to have been made in only 58 pieces, the rarity of the present example enhanced by its retailer signature Serpico Y Laino (USD 700,000 – 1 Million). This timepiece will be presented next to another important Patek Philippe reference, the ref. 3974G, Patek Philippe’s most complicated wristwatch at the time in 1989. Only 12 pieces were produced in white gold (USD 600,000 – 1 Million).
Rémi Guillemin, Watches Specialist and Sabine Kegel, European Head of Watches say “Geneva remains the most prestigious and a major platform for vintage and modern watches alike. The upcoming Christie’s Geneva Rare Watches auction will offer horological treasures, with a live sale estimated to achieve between USD 16.9 Million – USD 27 million. From museum grade pocket watches to iconic vintage timepieces and modern masterpieces, the sale will appeal to all international collectors searching for the exceptional. The sale will feature a historically important Breguet pocket watch from 1805 with Equation of Time complication (est. USD 250,000 to 300,000), an extremely rare Patek Philippe reference 1518 in pink gold with Serpico y Laino signature (USD 700,000 – 1,000,000) and the important Patek Philippe reference 3974 in white gold, created in 1989 for the 150th anniversary of the manufacture and claiming the title of most complicated wristwatch at the time of its creation (USD 600,000 – 1 Million).”
Since its founding in 1766, Christie’s has always put its clients at the very centre of its work, building trust and loyalty that has traversed numerous generations over three centuries. Behind every timepiece, there is a cherished relationship, a shared passion for fine watchmaking, and an exciting journey travelled together that perpetuates the appreciation of some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after timepieces.
