The highlight of the sale is the Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 in platinum. An extremely rare model, it was made in 1992 and is the property of a focused long-term collector. The watch is an astronomic, minute repeating, self-winding wristwatch with a perpetual calendar, leap-year indication and moon phases. It is stamped with the hallmark of renowned case maker Jean-Pierre Hagmann and is accompanied by the original Patek Philippe mahogany fitted box, spare platinum caseback, Certificate of Origin, setting pin, booklets and the extract from the archives. Estimate: $600,000 – $800,000.
Another watch expected to receive major interest is the Patek Philippe Ref. 5013 in yellow gold. Production of this reference started in 1992. The piece up for auction is a tonneau-shaped, minute-repeating, astronomic, self-winding watch with retrograde perpetual calendar, moon-phases, and leap year indication. It is accompanied by the original mahogany box, certificate of origin, extract from the archives, setting pin, instruction booklet, gloves, loupe and cloth. Estimate: $300,000 – $400,000.
Another notable Patek Philippe included in the April sale is the Patek Philippe Ref. 2438. Made around 1958, this is also an extremely rare timepiece, with center seconds, astronomical perpetual calendar and moon-phases. Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000.
Also offered is the Patek Philippe Ref. 5101 “Ten Day Tourbillon” in rose gold. Made in 2010 and offered at auction for the first time, it is an Art Deco style chronometer wristwatch with a curved, rectangular case, a one-minute tourbillon regulator and tandem mainspring barrels for a 10-day power-reserve. It is accompanied by the certificate of origin, chronometer rating certificate, instructions in a leather folder and the original wood fitted box. Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000.
Produced in 2004, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5050, with Roman dial and white-gold case, is the first example of this reference in white gold with a detachable bracelet (confirmed on the Certificate of Origin) to appear at auction. This reference is a rare, astronomic, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant model with perpetual calendar, retrograde date, leap-year indication and moon-phases. It comes with a fitted box, setting pin, booklets and Certificate of Origin. Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000.
The Patek Philippe Ref. 1579 offered in the April auction was made around 1951. It is a very rare watch, made in 18K rose gold, with a square-button chronograph, register and pulsometer. It is accompanied by a fitted box and the extract from the archives.
In addition to the various rare Patek wristwatches, the auction will include a yellow-gold Rolex Cosmograph (Ref. 6263) from 1975; a 1990s-era Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel Automatique No. 10; and an engraved yellow-gold Patek Philippe pocketwatch made for Tiffany’s around 1929, among other timepieces. Prior to the New York auction, previews will be held in cities throughout the world including in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Taipei. Details are available at www.antiquorum.com.