Lovers of horology gathered at the New York TimeZone June 18 to bid on the 401 highly collectible timepieces offered in Antiquorum’s summer sale of important collectors’ wristwatches, pocket watches and clocks, resulting in an auction total of $5,428,852.
In addition to room bidders, there was also spirited competition from scores of phone bidders and particularly from the record number of 484 Internet bidders contributing to 118.57 percent sold by value and 86.28 percent sold by lot. The superb timepieces drew the attention of collectors from all corners of the world, including Germany, Italy and Hong Kong.
“We’re still seeing strong prices realized for fine timepieces in the US market,” said Julien Schaerer, auctioneer and watch director, Antiquorum USA. “As such, we are eagerly anticipating our upcoming October auction for which we have several extraordinary timepieces already consigned.”
The highlight of the sale was a Patek Philippe Ref 5013 in pink gold with black dial, which fetched an impressive $640,800. Another very significant price was achieved for the Patek Philippe Ref 5020 in pink gold, also known as the “TV Watch,” which sold for $190,400. In addition, the Patek Philippe Ref 3970P with diamond dial obtained the considerable sum of $166,800. Finally, the Ref T150 in white gold retailed by Tiffany attained $72,000, double its estimate.
Other brands that were especially sought after in the sale were Vacheron Constantin and FP Journe. The Vacheron Constantin skeletonized perpetual calendar fetched a strong price of $66,000, while the FP Journe Tourbillon Black Label in platinum sold for $101,900.
Cartier fans took note of the fantastic price achieved for the “Pendule de Bureau” †$46,800, nearly ten times its estimate.
Rolex continued to reach great prices following Antiquorum’s successful thematic auction in April. The brand sold extremely well, as evidenced by a yellow gold Cosmograph Daytona, which achieved $54,000, and a stainless steel Comex Submariner, which sold for $79,200.
Rounding out the sale’s top ten lots were Ref 5079 minute repeater Patek Philippe self-winding, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with minute repeater and two cathedral gongs, $327,200; platinum Patek Philippe Ref 5100P rectangular lozenge-shaped, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with ten-day power reserve, $110,160; and Tourbillon Squelette Perpetuel Breguet Ref 3755 skeletonized, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, perpetual calendar with retrograde date, $107,800.
Additional highlights were a yellow gold Ref 3970E Patek Philippe water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases, leap year indication, 24-hour indication, $101,900; Breguet, Souscription No. 34/300 set of two watches: an 18K yellow gold minute-repeating wristwatch with perpetual calendar, phases and age of the moon, leap year indication and an 18K yellow gold, self-winding perpetuelle pocket watch with power reserve, instantaneous calendar, phases and age of the moon, $96,000; and Jean-Claude Killy Rolex Oyster chronograph, antimagnetic, Ref 6036, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers and triple date, $96,000.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, 212-750-1103 or www.antiquorum.com .
