Exceptional Timepieces at Antiquorum’s March Auction in Geneva
March 11, 2010
Geneva – Antiquorum is pleased to present its upcoming sale “Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clocks and Horological Tools” to be held on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st March at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva. This first auction of the season offers a selection of over 460 exclusive timepieces, including vintage and modern wristwatches from all of the major manufacturers, as well as fine and rare pocket watches, clocks and horological tools. Previews will be held in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Geneva.
Among the top lots of the sale, Antiquorum is delighted to present a superb selection of Patek Philippe timepieces. Offered for the first time at auction by a descendent of the original owner, the Patek Philippe Ref. 130 (lot 330), made in 1949 and sold on November 3rd, 1950. This reference 130 is one of the most desirable steel watches made by Patek Philippe.
Estimate: CHF 75’000 – 100’000
Another rarity, the Patek Philippe Ref. 2526, second series (lot 439), made in 1955 and sold on October 29th, 1957. This 18K white gold wristwatch, with diamond set dial, was presented by General Francisco Higino Craveiro Lopes, President of Portugal, to Dr. Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar, President of Pakistan, during an official visit to Portugal on November 11, 1957.
Estimate: CHF 110’000 – 150’000
Antiquorum experts are also pleased to present, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5004P in platinum (lot 230), made in 2002. Highly desirable and collectible, the Ref. 5004 was first produced in 1994. This manually wound wristwatch combines a split-seconds chronograph with the functions of the perpetual calendar and moon phases, making it the most complicated model in Patek Philippe's line of stopwatches. The movement consists of a total of 404 parts.
Estimate: CHF 175’000 – 235’000.
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1579 (lot 331), is one of the most sought-after Patek Philippe chronographs. The movement was manufactured in 1947 and sold on September 2nd, 1948. The case was made by Guillermin Mollet, Patek Philippe’s main Paris agent.
Estimate: CHF 45’000 – 75’000.
Collectors are invited to travel through time with the Patek Philippe Ref. 605 HU (Heures Universelles), Yellow Gold World Time (lot 430), made in 1964 – sold on Sept. 3, 1964.
Estimate: CHF 65’000 – 85’000
Another exceptional piece offered at auction is the Patek Philippe « Le Tour du Monde de Magellan » Ref. 797 E (lot 231). This unique piece was made in 1971 to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the death of Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521). This unique solar clock is perhaps one of the most beautiful ever made by Patek Philippe. The design and the colours of the cloisonné enamel panels, depicting scenes of the Magellan’s exploration, are particularly complex and well executed: a tour-de-force of the enamellers’ arts.
Estimate: CHF 70’000 – 90’000
The Rolex aficionados will be delighted and very interested by the Rolex Ref. 6062, so called “Stelline” (lot 463), made in 1950 and sold on December 24th, 1975, offered by its original owner. This very fine and extremely rare tonneau-shaped 18K yellow gold chronometer features a triple date calendar and moon phases.
Estimate: CHF 220’000 – 300’000
Antiquorum experts are also delighted to present the Rolex Oyster Chronograph anti-magnetic Ref. 6036, so called “Killy Watch” (lot 462). Made in 1952, this 18K yellow gold wristwatch features a chronograph and a triple date calendar.
Estimate: CHF 150’000 – 200’000.
Made in 1972, the Rolex Best COMEX Diver 1977, Ref. 1680 (lot 208) was awarded to Jean-Marc Dutriaux by Comex in 1977. The watch is accompanied by Mr. Dutriaux's contract of employment with Comex, his divelog and several additional Comex documents. 
Estimate: CHF 37'000 – 52'000
Closing this selection of COMEX watches, the very fine and rare Rolex Ref. 16610, COMEX 6323, Submariner (lot 345), made in 1992. 
Estimate: CHF 40'000 – 60'000
The collectors of complicated timepieces will be delighted by the Harry Winston and Felix Baumgartner, “Opus V”, No. 11/45 (lot 402), an example of innovative modern watchmaking, combining cutting-edge horological design and functionality. The Opus V is the result of a partnership between Harry Winstons’s Rare Timepieces division and independent watchmaker Felix Baumgartner of Urwerk. It was made in 2005 in a limited edition of 100 examples of which 45 including the one presented at auction – were made in platinum. 
Estimate: CHF 150’000 – 220’000
Made in a limited edition of 150 pieces in 2006 to commemorate the success of the Maserati MC12 in the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers’ Cup, the Audemars Piguet, "Millenary - Maserati Anniversary – MC12 Tourbillon and Chronograph”, No. 024/150 (lot 403), is one of the classics of contemporary “haute horlogerie”. This platinum wristwatch with twin white gold and palladium alloy barrels features a black carbon movement with blue anodised aluminium bridges and a visible one-minute tourbillon. 
Estimate: CHF 150’000 – 220’000
View the complete auction catalogue online at: www.antiquorum.com
AUCTION
Important Collectors' Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clocks & Horological Tools
First Session : Saturday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m. (lots 1 – 231)
Second Session : Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 2 :00 p.m. (lots 232 – 466)
Grand Hotel Kempinski
Salon A
Quai du Mont-Blanc, 19
1201 Genève - Suisse
Tel.+ 41 (0)22 908 90 81 / Fax + 41 (0)22 908 90 90
PREVIEWS
HONG KONG
Antiquorum Auctioneers (HK) Ltd.
Room 1405, No. 9 Queen's Road Central,
Hong Kong
Tel. + 852 2522 4168
Thursday 11 & Friday, March 12: 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
SHANGHAI
Antiquorum Shanghai
Room 4106B,
Bund Centre Office Tower,
222 Yan An Road East,
Shanghai 200002, China
Tel.+86 21 6335 1268
Sunday 14 & Monday March 15: 10:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
GENEVA
Antiquorum’s Showroom
2, rue du Mont-Blanc
1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel.+ 41 (0)22 909 28 50
Thursday, March 18 to Sunday, March 21: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.