A worldwide record price of SFr 360,000 was realized for a vintage Rolex Daytona in 18K
For Immediate Release
March 30, 2009
Geneva, 30 March, 2009 - Antiquorum, the world's leading watch auctioneer, realized an impressive total of SFR. 5,419,584 for its auction in Geneva titled "Important Collector's Wristwatches, Pocket Watch, Clocks and Horological Tools". Of the 481 timepieces offered, 109.62% was sold by value and 78.36% was sold by lot.
Strong international interest came from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Russian Federation and the United States in addition to a strong internet presence and a healthy turnout of live bidders at the Grand Hotel Kempinski this week-end.
The top-selling lot of the auction was an 18K Rolex "Baguette Diamond Cosmograph" Ref. 6270 (lot 476), a very find and rare wristwatch in 18k yellow gold, with bezel set with 28 baguette-diamonds which reached a record amount of SFR. 360,000 following fierce bidding in the auction room.
Patek Philippe wristwatches and pocket watches again performed well at the auction. Amongst the timepieces offered was a 18k yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar made in 1980, Ref. 2499/100 (lot 479) which achieved an exceptional SFR. 312,000. Another very rare and important Patek Philippe wristwatch, Ref. 1518 (lot 481) in 18k yellow gold fetched SFR. 240,000, followed by lot 480, Ref. 1463 still from Patek Philippe in yellow gold, which attained SFR. 174,000. Futhermore, the pocket watches continued to sell strong after the minute-repeating, keyless pocket watch (lot 142) from 1892 and made by Patek Philippe, realized SFR 21,000 against its pre-sale estimate of SFR. 8,000-12,000.
"The strong interest in our mid-season sale, our first in Geneva this year, confirms the ability for watches and clocks to continue to perform well. We look forward to our May Geneva auction with enthusiasm and anticipation of continued strength in the market," declared Robert Maron, Chariman, Antiquorum.
Another highlight of the auction was the "Gyrotourbillon 1" from Jaeger-Lecoultre (lot 185), an exceptional and highly complicated wristwatch in platinum, which sold for SFR. 348,000 after competitive in-room bidding. Also, Panerai did very well with lot 446, a white gold Zerograph, sold for SFR 31,200 well above its estimate of SFR 12,000-16,000.
"Rare pieces at auction such as the record setting Rolex Ref. 6270 prove that exceptional timepieces bring worldwide interest and amazing results," said Julien Schaerer, Watch Director & Auctioneer, Antiquorum USA.
Finally, a magnificent and extremely rare, Louis XV, mahogany and ormolu, 8-day going, hour and quarter-striking, musical bracket clock made by Pierre Jaquet Droz circa 1770 (lot 297), achieved an exceptional result of SFR. 126,000 after spirited bidding coming mainly from the Far-East.
"The auction confirms that once again Patek Philippe continues to draw healthy interest from sophisticated collectors. Today's attractive prices represent a rare opportunity to build an impressive collection," concluded William Rohr, Chief Operating Officer, Antiquorum Geneva.
About Antiquorum
Antiquorum is, unquestionably, the world's leading watch auctioneer; Of the 62 watches ever sold publicly by major auction houses above SFR. 1,000,000, Antiquorum claims an impressive 44. In 2002, Antiquorum established the all-time world record price for a wristwatch at auction when it sold a platinum Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 1415 from 1939 for an astounding SFR 6,603,500 (US$ 4,026,524). This record-breaking price more than doubled the previous world record price for a wrist watch at auction. Another record price for a modern watch was achieved in 2004, the unique white gold Calibre 89, also by Patek Philippe, was sold for SFR. 6,603,500 (US$ 5,002,652).