Antiquorum held a highly competitive auction of important collectors’ wristwatches, pocket watches and clocks on September 17, resulting in two world records for price paid at auction and total sales of $9,214,974.
The auction of 414 rare and collectible timepieces drew a standing-room-only crowd in the auction room, in addition to 490 online bidders and phone bidders from around the world. Key international bidding came from Italy, Turkey and Hong Kong. Strong prices were achieved, resulting in 85 percent sold by lot and 133 percent sold by value.
The competitive bidding for the Matsuda collection of Patek Philippe wristwatches was the highlight of the sale. The rare Patek Philippes stirred excitement in the saleroom and on the Internet.
Robust results were attained for each of the three wristwatches. The platinum Ref 5013 achieved $564,000, while the Ref 5016 in platinum fetched $780,000, a world auction record for the reference, and the Ref 3939 in platinum sold for $684,000, another world auction record for that reference.
“The spectacular results of the Matsuda collection confirms that collectors are willing to pay a premium for watches that have been chosen by and were in the collection of well-respected collectors, thereby ensuring that their own collection will one day be similarly sought after,” said Evan Zimmermann, president and CEO, Antiquorum.
Several other Patek Philippe timepieces achieved strong prices. Both of the Patek Philippe Ref 5970s in the sale sold well; a traditional pink gold Ref 5970 attained $156,000, while the other pink gold Ref 5970, retailed by Tiffany, brought $162,000.
A yellow gold Patek Philippe Ref 5004 sold for $204,000, the Patek Philippe Ref 3448 retailed by Tiffany fetched $132,000 and a Patek Philippe 18K yellow gold Jumbo Ref 3700/1 achieved $39,600.
Cartier also did well, with a platinum “Tortue XL Tourbillon Chronograph Monopossoir” bringing $186,000. In addition, Audemars Piguet obtained $228,000 for a titanium “Jules Audemars-Grande Complication Automatique.”
Breguet attained $564,000 for the Sympathique, No. 2 gilt-bronze astronomical clock accompanied by an 18K yellow gold tourbilllon wristwatch.
Omega fetched strong prices in the sale; an Omega steel chronograph, produced in 1942, sold for $36,000, while the Omega Speedmaster realized $45,600.
Seiko also fared well in the sale with the GMT Spring Drive Spacewalk. The watch that was made in a limited edition of six pieces especially for the 12-day Space Mission Soyuz TMA-13 and worn by private space explorer Richard Garriott sold for $45,600.
Finally, the Vacheron Constantin wristwatch that was gifted to Marlon Brando by Zsa Zsa Gabor elicited competitive bidding in the auction room and online. The timepiece given to Brando to commemorate the release of On the Waterfront ultimately sold for $18,000, six times its estimate.
All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
For more information, www.Antiquorum.com or 212-750-1103.
