Christie’s November 15 Geneva sale generated an impressive SFr. 21,572,700, or a little over $22 million. The sale included “A Connoisseur’s Vision Part III”, which together with Parts I and II, represents the most important private Patek Philippe collection ever offered at auction, and the most expensive collection ever sold. Among the wristwatches sold in Geneva, Patek Philippe took the top spots.
The star of this sale was lot 114, an exceptionally rare 18K pink-gold Patek Philippe ref. 2523 two-crown worldtime wristwatch with 24 hour indication and blue enamel dial. Manufactured in 1953, this piece was originally retailed in Milan in 1957. This is the 35.5mm “large version” of the reference, and only 14 examples are known to have come to auction. The selling price was $2,727,651.
The number two position in the sale went to lot 234, an 18K pink gold Patek Philippe ref. 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph with moon phases, manufactured in 1957. This piece was consigned by the family of the original owner, who purchased it in 1961. Only seven rose gold reference 2499 second series are known, and this is the only example with date disks in German. It brought $1,226,678, very close to the presale high estimate.
Lot 328 is an 18K gold Patek Philippe ref. 1563 split seconds chronograph with two-tone pulsation dial. This piece was originally manufactured in 1940, and upgraded to the present case in 1943. The selling price was $1,128,789, well above the $1 million presale high estimate.
Lot 291 is an 18K pink gold Patek Philippe ref. 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph with phases of the moon, manufactured in 1948. This was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced in series by any watch company. Offered by the original owner who purchased it on October 2, 1950, on this night it brought $737,230.
Another ref. 2499 rounds out the top 5. This is an 18K gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, black lacquer dial and Breguet numerals. This piece brought $590,396.
You may view the complete results for this sale at the official Christie’s Web site.
