Preview: Christie’s New York Top Lots


Christie's Preview

Christie’s December 14 sale to be held at 20 Rockafeller Plaza in New York includes 424 lots, and the stars of the show in terms of pre-sale estimates are Patek Philippe, Breguet, and Piaget. Three pieces are estimated at $250,000 to $350,000: Patek Philippe references 2499/100 and 1462, and a platinum Breguet ref. 3857. A Piaget ladies Kanthara is estimated at $200,000 – $300,000.

Lot 198 is a Patek Philippe ref. 2499/100, manufactured in 1982. This 18K gold perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases succeeded Patek’s first series-production perpetual calendar, the ref. 1518. Only 349 examples of ref. 2499 were manufactured over four different series. The reference remained in production until 1985. The pre-sale estimate is $250,000 to $350,000.

Lot 198

This two-register stainless-steel chronograph, ref. 1463, was manufactured in 1955 and was retailed by Tiffany & Co. New York. Christie’s notes indicate that this watch appears to be the first example of a reference 1463 to appear in public to date. Ref. 1463 was produced from 1940 until approximately 1965. This example measures 35mm in diameter. The pre-sale estimate is $250,000 to $350,000.

Lot 412

From a simple vintage chronograph we move next to a modern, highly complicated Breguet ref. 3857. This platinum model offers minute repeater, perpetual calendar and tourbillon, plus jumping hours, retrograde date and leap year indication. Manufactured in 1997, this exceptional wristwatch is one of three highly complicated pieces produced by Breguet to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Louis Breguet. The pre-sale estimate is $250,000 to $350,000.

Lot 327

Lot 411 is an 18K gold Patek Philippe ref. 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases manufactured in 1948. Patek Philippe produced reference 1518 from 1941 until approximately 1954. This highly collectible timepiece was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world, and only 281 examples of this reference were produced. The pre-sale estimate is $220,000 to $280,000.

Lot 411

If you still need to purchase a holiday gift for the special lady in your life, this Piaget Kanthara, manufactured in 1999, is estimated at $200,000 to $300,000.

Lot 47

Lot 189 is a Patek Philippe ref. 5004 in platinum with perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph and moon phases, manufactured in 1998. This piece is accompanied by its wooden presentation box, additional solid caseback, a platinum setting pin, a suede pouch leather envelope and product literature. The pre-sale estimate is $200,000 to $300,000.

Lot 189

Our next top lot is the popular Patek Philippe ref. 5101P “10 Day Tourbillon” in platinum. Patek produced the reference 5101 from 2003 until it was discontinued in 2008. A new pink gold verison was introduced the following year. The pre-sale estimate for lot 420 is $200,000 to $300,000.

Lot 420

Our final top lot is number 416, a Patek Philippe ref. 5102G-001 “Celestial” produced in 2003. This is an 18K white gold automatic astronomical wristwatch with sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon, and time of meridian passage of Sirius and the moon. The ref. 5102 was introduced in 2002 and initially made in white gold only. According to Christie’s sale notes, it is believed that approximately 500 pieces were produced. A yellow gold version was launched in 2008, and a pink gold and platinum version in 2009. The pre-sale estimate is $180,000 – $220,000.

Lot 416

Preview the entire sale and obtain detailed information for each lot at the official Christie’s Web site.

Leave a Reply