DUBAI, 24 March 2021 –Watches Online: Dubai Edit goes live today, the sector’s most important global online-only auction to date. The team of experts at Christie’s in Dubai have curated close to 200 lots which together are estimated to fetch from USD 9,000,000 to 15,000,000. The auction is restricted to a timeframe of 16 days in which registered bidders will be able to track specific lots and interact directly with the Christie’s platform.
Never before has a digital auction from the region brought together so many timepieces of such importance and value. Live online from 24 Marchh to 8 April 8, 2021.
The Dubai-based team of experts has curated close to 200 lots of rare and coveted timepieces
for an estimated total ranging from USD 9,000,000 to 15,000,000
Highlights include the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon reference 5002 in platinum, as well as two others exceptional Patek Philippe timepieces, both of which possibly have unique dials:
the reference 5004R with a ruby dial and the reference 3990P with a light grey dial.
Remy Julia, Director – Head of Watches Middle East – India – Africa – Russia, says: “The Dubai Edit online auction is set to become a game-changer as far as watch auctions go. Never in the history of watch auctions has a 100% online event offered timepieces of such quality, be they modern or vintage. This has been made possible only because of our specialists’ substantial reputation in the industry. Besides being the perfect barometer for gauging current collector demand at the global level, Dubai Edit brings together exceptional watchmaking in one innovative format and positions Dubai as a global tech hub for vintage and contemporary collectable watches.
Among the watches to be auctioned, there will be some of the most in-demand references, from grand complications by Patek Philippe and Gerald Genta to collectable minute repeaters, a selection of Rolex tool watches, from the Dato-Compax reference 6036 to the Rolex Big Crown reference 5510, as well as an impressive line-up of rare watches from one of the most coveted independent watchmakers, F.P Journe.
Patek Philippe Poised To Achieve New Heights
Highlights include the exceptionally rare Ref. 5002P Sky Moon Tourbillon in platinum (est. USD 1,000,000-1,800,000), which was not only the most complicated watch produced by Patek Philippe at the time, but also the first ever double-faced wristwatch in the Geneva manufacturer’s history – and is sure to elicit keen interest on the part of discerning collectors from around the globe.
Two other exceptional Patek Philippe timepieces will also be presented during this auction, both of which possibly have unique dials: the Ref. 3990P with a light grey dial and the Ref. 5004R with a ruby dial. They are joined by a selection of exceptional minute repeaters of the same marque, such as the Ref. 5074P minute repeater perpetual calendar (est. USD 400,000-700,000), the imposing Ref. 5014P semi-skeletonised minute repeater perpetual calendar (est. USD 400,000-600,000), and the elusive pink gold Ref. 5029 minute repeater (est. USD 250,000-350,000) made in 10 pieces per metal (yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum) to commemorate the anniversary of the manufacture in 1997. The Ref. 5071P and the Ref. 5971P lead the impressive selection of highly collectable baguette diamond-set watches that are certain to draw international attention.
Rolex Reigns
Among the vintage Rolex watches highest on the desirability index, an extremely well-preserved Rolex Dato-Compax Ref. 6036, produced circa 1952 (est. USD 100,000-180,000). ‘Collectible Tool Watches’ include a Rolex Submariner Ref. 5510 “Big Crown” (USD 125,000-200,000), a Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 “Patent Pending” (USD 90,000-120,000), and a rare Rolex Ref. 3525 chronograph in astonishing condition (USD 150,000-300,000).
Independent Watchmakers Spiking Up
Trends on point, the team has curated a selection of 7 F.P. Journe watches, including 3 platinum timepieces from before 2004, particularly coveted and recognisable by their rhodium-plated brass movements: Resonance (est. USD 150,000-250,000), Zodiac, of which only 150 pieces were made, (USD 100,000-150,000) and Octa Automatique with an elegant pink dial (USD 100,000-150,000). These have all seen a sharp rise in value over the past 12 months alone.
Minute Repeaters Draw Attention
In addition to the four Patek Philippe minute repeaters, the auction will also feature 3 examples of Grande Complication, and what was at the time among the most complicated and expensive wristwatches in the world: the Gerald Genta Grande Sonnerie and Petite Sonnerie timepieces made in 1994 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Manufacture.
Dazzling Jewellery Watches
Also on offer is an exotic set of six medium-sized Audemars Piguet Royal Oak jewellery watches and a unique diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald-set brooch in white gold indicating three time zones (London, Mecca, and Brunei).
Made For The Middle East
Watches with regional relevance will also be presented. The selection features vintage Rolex Day-Date Ref. 1804 models with Eastern Arabic numerals (also called Hindi numerals) or featuring the official crests of regional royalty or armed forces. Prominent timepieces by independent watchmakers with a strong link to the UAE include MB&F LM1 M.A.D. Dubai limited edition and Richard Mille RM 010 MBZ Abu Dhabi Grand Prix edition.
Preview in Dubai
All lots will be on view at Christie’s, Dubai DIFC Gate Village 5, Podium Level
Between 24 March and 8 April, 2021, by appointment only.
Auction Highlights
LOT 1
PATEK PHILIPPE, AN EXTREMELY RARE PLATINUM DOUBLE DIALED WRISTWATCH WITH 12 COMPLICATIONS, SKY MOON TOURBILLON, REF. 5002P-001
CASE NUMBER: 4’214’430, MOVEMENT NUMBER: 3’350’014
YEAR: 2004
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum, screw-set lugs, case band and minute repeating slide finely engraved with halved Calatrava crosses, two crowns both embossed with a Calatrava cross for winding and setting.
DIAMETER: 43 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Patek Philippe blue CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Front: Opaline dial with Patek Philippe Calatrava cross embossing, applied white gold Roman numerals, four subsidiary dials indicating day, month, leap year and ages of the moon, retrograde date display in red enamel.
Reverse: made of sapphire crystal glass with silvered 24 hours scale and Arabic numerals around inside edge for sidereal time, planisphere of the Northern Hemisphere rotating counterclockwise above the dial, disc with moon-phase display, white lacquered gold feuille hour and minute hands.
MOVEMENT: Cal. RTO 27 QR SID LU CL, manual-winding with tourbillon escapement, 686 parts, COSC-certified chronometer
FUNCTIONS: Time, minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, leap year cycle, retrograde date, sky chart, moon-phase, orbit of the moon, sidereal time
BUCKLE: Patek Philippe platinum buckle
WITH: Leather-bound Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin confirming the date of purchase as October 11, 2004, a Geneva Hallmark Certificate from the Canton of Geneva indicating the COSC test results, original mahogany wood presentation box, and outer packaging.
Ψ The endangered species straps shown here are for display purposes only and is not for sale. Upon sale, each watch will be supplied to the buyer with a black leather strap.
The Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002 is one of the most important watches ever to have been made in modern history. Made between 2001 and 2012, this watch was reserved for Patek Philippe’s most important clients. Prospective owners would have to submit an application to qualify as a prospective buyer. After an interview, prospective buyers would be entered into a waiting list before they got a chance to own this timepiece.
Inspired by the Star Caliber 2000, a double-sided pocketwatch built to commemorate the new millennium, the Sky Moon tourbillon boasts a whopping 12 complications and a movement made up of 686 parts. The complications include the tourbillon, perpetual calendar, moon age, leap year cycle, day of the week, month, date, fly back, minute repeater, sky chart, moon phases and orbit.
The reverse dial reveals the angular progression of the stars and moon from the Northern Hemisphere and allows the wearer to observe the waxing and waning of the Earth’s satellite.
ESTIMATE: US$1,000,000-1,800,000
LOT 21
AUDEMARS PIGUET, A SUPERLATIVE SET OF SIX GOLD BEJEWELLED ROYAL OAK WRISTWATCHES PRESENTED IN ITS ORIGINAL PRESENTATON BOX
REF. 14892BA, A GOLD ROYAL OAK WITH A BEZEL SET WITH 32 BAGUETTE RUBIES
CIRCA: 1990s
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold, bezel set with 32 baguette rubies (2.12 carat), caseback stamped No.1
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Audemars Piguet red CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Gilt satin dial with 3 baguette rubies and 8 diamonds
MOVEMENT: Cal. 2125, automatic
FUNCTION: Time, date
BUCKLE/CLASP: Audemars Piguet 18k yellow gold pin buckle
REF. 14916BA, A GOLD ROYAL OAK WITH DIAMOND LUGS AND A BEZEL SET WITH BAGUETTE RUBIES AND PAVED DIAL
CIRCA: 1990s
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold with 64 brilliant diamonds (0.58 carat) and a bezel set with 32 baguette rubies (2.21 carat)
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Audemars Piguet coral red CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Gilt dial paved with 274 diamonds (1.17 carat), 2 baguette-cut rubies and 8 rubies for the hour markers
MOVEMENT: Cal. 2125, automatic
BUCKLE/ CLASP: Audemars Piguet 18k yellow gold tang buckle
REF. 14892BA, A GOLD ROYAL OAK WITH A BEZEL SET WITH BAGUETTE SAPPHIRES
CIRCA: 1990s
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold, bezel set with 32 baguette-cut sapphires (2.23 carat), caseback stamped No.1
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Audemars Piguet blue CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Gilt satin dial with 3 baguette sapphires and 8 diamonds
MOVEMENT: Caliber 2125, automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, date
BUCKLE: Audemars Piguet 18k yellow gold buckle
REF. 14916BA, A GOLD ROYAL OAK WITH DIAMOND-SET LUGS AND A BEZEL SET WITH BAGUETTE SAPPHIRES AND PAVED DIAL
CIRCA: 1990s
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold with 64 brilliant diamonds (0.58 carat) and a bezel set with 32 baguette sapphires (2.08 carat)
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Audemars Piguet blue CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Gilt dial paved with 274 diamonds (1.17 carat), 2 baguette-cut sapphires and 8 sapphires for the hour markers
MOVEMENT: Cal. 2125, automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, date
BUCKLE: Audemars Piguet 18k yellow gold pin buckle
REF. 14892BA, A GOLD ROYAL OAK WITH A BEZEL SET WITH BAGUETTE EMERALDS
CIRCA: 1990s
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold with a bezel set with 32 baguette emeralds (1.55 carat), caseback stamped No.1
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Audemars Piguet green CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Gilt satin dial with 3 baguette-cut emeralds and 8 diamonds for the hour markers
MOVEMENT: Cal. 2125, automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, date
BUCKLE: Audemars Piguet 18k yellow gold pin buckle
REF. 14961BA, A GOLD ROYAL OAK WITH DIAMOND LUGS AND A BEZEL SET WITH BAGUETTE EMERALDS AND PAVED DIAL
CIRCA: 1990s
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold with 64 brilliant diamonds (0.60 carat) and a bezel set with 32 baguette emeralds (1.54 carat)
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Audemars Piguet green CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Gilt dial paved with 274 diamonds (1.17 carat), 2 baguette-cut emeralds and 8 emeralds for the hour markers
MOVEMENT: Cal. 2125, automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, date
BUCKLE: Audemars Piguet 18k yellow gold pin buckle
WITH: An original Certificate of Warranty from Almar Watches, Burlington Arcade, London, confirming the date of purchase as 31 May, 2016
Ψ The endangered species straps shown here are for display purposes only and is not for sale. Upon sale, each watch will be supplied to the buyer with a black leather strap
Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak is a design icon and is best known for heralding the age of the luxury steel sports watch. However, here in a special and extremely collectible set of six timepieces, it is interpretated as a stunning set of six bejwelled watches housed in a special signed wooden presentation box. Each of these high jewellery timepieces sees the Royal Oak’s characteristic octagonal bezel set with either 32 baguette emeralds, baguette saphhires, or baguette rubies. Three of the watches are further distinguised by lugs studded with 64 brilliant diamonds and dials paved with diamonds and precious stones. According the archivists at Audemars Piguet, this exotic set was first sold in London in 1994. All six timepieces are presented with an official Certificate of Warranty from renowned London retailer Almar that confirms the sale of the set on 31 May, 2016.
ESTIMATE: US$125,000-225,000
LOT 51
ROLEX, A PLATINUM OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE WITH DIAMOND-SET BEZEL AND ARABIC CALENDAR AND NUMERALS, REF. 1804
CIRCA: 1960
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum with diamond-set bezel
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
BRACELET: Platinum Rolex President bracelet, overall length 190 mm.
DIAL: Silvered with white gold applied Arabic numerals
MOVEMENT: Caliber 1555, automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, day, date
CLASP: Folding deployant clasp
The present timepiece is a rare example of the Reference 1804 in platinum with Eastern Arabic numeral, day and date. The presence of the Arabic calendar disc and numerals gives would have given this watch an exotic vibe in the 1960s.
Introduced to the market at the Basel Fair in 1956, the Day-Date has been one of Rolex’s flagship models and enjoys continuous popularity. Symbol of luxury and prestige, the model was particularly appreciated by Middle Eastern clientele, often presented by the rulers as gifts or token of esteem.
ESTIMATE: US$120,000-220,000
LOT 101
PATEK PHILIPPE, A RARE PERPETUAL CALENDAR SPLIT-SECONDS CHRONOGRAPH WITH RUBY HOUR-MARKERS, REF. 5004R
CASE NUMBER: 4’146’775, MOVEMENT NUMBER: 879’861
CIRCA: 2001
CASE MATERIAL: 18k rose gold
DIAMETER: 36.5 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Patek Philippe brown CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Opaline white dial with a baguette-cut ruby set in a gold chaton at 12 o’ clock, 10 ruby stones set in square gold chatons, three subsidiary dials – one at 9 o’ clock that combines the running seconds and a 24-hour register, another at 3 o’ clock combing the minutes and leap year indication, and the 6 o’ clock combing the date ring and moon-phase indication
MOVEMENT: Cal. CHR 27-70 Q, manual
FUNCTIONS: Time, perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph, moon-phase, leap year indicator, 24 hours (AM/PM) indicator
CLASP: Patek Philippe 18k rose gold deployant clasp
WITH: Patek Philippe Extract from the Archive confirming 2001 as year of manufacture and 8 October, 2001, as date of sale
Ψ The endangered species straps shown here are for display purposes only and is not for sale. Upon sale, each watch will be supplied to the buyer with a black leather strap.
These lots have been imported from outside of the UAE for sale. Should the lots be released into GCC/UAE free circulation, duty will be payable at 5% on the low estimate. Duty paid in Dubai is treated as final duty payment as per GCC”s customs laws. VAT at 5% will be applied to the hammer and buyer’s premium.
ESTIMATE : USD 300,000 – USD 500,000
LOT 126
GÉRALD GENTA, UNIQUE PINK GOLD GRAND SONNERIE, No. 1 REF. G0026.6
CASE NUMBER: 69’800, MOVEMENT STAMPED NO. 1
Details: YEAR: 1994
CASE MATERIAL: 18k pink gold, octagonal stepped case,
DIAMETER: 40 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Maroon CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Mother-of-pearl dial with applied Arabic and luminous dot numerals, luminous hands, inner concentric retrograde date sector, five subsidiary dials indicating the power reserve for the striking and going-train, seconds, indication for Grande or Petite Sonnerie and Silence or Chime, windows for day, month and leap year indication.
MOVEMENT: Cal. 31000, self-winding, engraved and gilded with three-arm polished steel tourbillon carriage with Geneva Hallmark
FUNCTION: Time, minute repeater, perpetual calendar with retrograde date, power reserve indicator for the going train and striking mechanism, one-minute tourbillon
BUCKLE: Steel tang buckle
WITH: Gérald Genta Certificate of Origin, a humidity regulator, a polished wooden presentation box, and outer packaging
Ψ The endangered species straps shown here are for display purposes only and is not for sale. Upon sale, each watch will be supplied to the buyer with a black leather strap.
When it was introduced in 1994, the Gérald Genta Grand Sonnerie was the most complicated wristwatch in the world. With its characteristic pyramidal stacked case design and immensely complicated Cal. 31000 – composed of more than 1,000 parts in variants like this particular lot with retrograde date indicator – there was nothing quite like this wristwatch in the 1990s. The development of the movement was led by Pierre-Michel Golay, the brand’s technical director and co-founder, who would later go on to work for Franck Muller.
It is believed that about 24 Grand Sonnerie wristwatches were made during this period, most of them were one-offs when it came to case material and dial design. If you look closely on the engraved movement bridge, you can see Genta’s signature and the No.1 engraving, since all these watches were one-off. All these movements also carry the prestigious Geneva Hallmark (Poinçon de Genève) and feature haute horology finshing techniques like black polishing (on the tourbillon bridges).The mechanical watch renaissance, which began in the mid-1980s, had gathered enough momentum by the time Genta unveiled these pieces in 1994 to mark the 25th anniversary of this eponymous watch brand.
ESTIMATE: US$50,000-70,000
LOT 127
GÉRALD GENTA, A UNIQUE YELLOW GOLD GRAND SONNERIE, No. 3, REF. G0025.7
CASE NUMBER: 66’744, MOVEMENT STAMPED NO. 1
Details: YEAR: 1994
CASE MATERIAL: 18k yellow gold, octagonal stepped case with glazed caseback, “Vendôme” lugs with fluted middle portion
DIAMETER: 40 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Black CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Mother of pearl dial tritium dot hour markers, eight subdials for (starting at 12 o’clock) 24-hour display, power reserve indicator for the striking mechanism, months of the four year leap cycle with green circle indicating the current year in the cycle, power reserve indicator for the going train, date concentric with subsidiary seconds, Grande or Petite Sonnerie indication, days of the week and silence or striking indications, green baton hands for the subdials, red baton hand for the running seconds
MOVEMENT: Cal. 3100, self-winding, engraved and gilded with three-arm polished steel tourbillon carriage
FUNCTIONS: Minute-repeater, perpetual calendar, 24-hour additional display, 48-hour power reserve indicator, power reserve indicator for the striking mechanism, and with one-minute tourbillon
BUCKLE: Steel pin buckle
When it was introduced in 1994, the Gérald Genta Grand Sonnerie was the most complicated wristwatch in the world. With its characteristic pyramidal stacked case design and immensely complicated Cal. 31000 – composed of more than 800 parts – there was nothing quite like this wristwatch in the 1990s. The development of the movement was led by Pierre-Michel Golay, the brand’s technical director and co-founder, who would later go on to work for Franck Muller.
It is believed that about 24 Grand Sonnerie wristwatches were made during this period, most of them were one-offs when it came to case material and dial design. If you look closely on the engraved movement bridge, you can see Genta’s signature and the engraving No.1, since all these watches were one-off. All these movements also carry the prestigious Geneva Hallmark (Poinçon de Genève) and feature haute horology finshing techniques like black polishing (on the tourbillon bridges).The mechanical watch renaissance, which began in the mid-1980s, had gathered enough momentum by the time Genta unveiled these pieces in 1994 to mark the 25th anniversary of this eponymous watch brand. Manufactured in 1994, this yellow gold Grand Sonnerie is part of a series of only four examples: one in yellow gold (this lot), one in pink gold, one in white gold and one in platinum.
US$30,000-60,000
LOT 128
GÉRALD GENTA, A PLATINUM GRAND SONNERIE, No. 1, REF. G0025.7
Details: YEAR: 1994
CASE MATERIAL: Platinum, octagonal stepped case with glazed caseback
DIMENSION: Width 39 mm., thickness 15 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: Grey leather strap
DIAL: Mother of pearl dial with four subsidiary dials, tritium dot indexes, four auxiliary sectors with silent mode at 10 o’ clock, power reserve for chiming indication and going train, Grande et Petite Sonnerie indicator at 8, second 24-hour time zone, white gold tritium-coated hands
MOVEMENT: Cal. 31000, self-winding, rhodium-plated brass movement with Geneva Hallmark and tourbillon escapement
FUNCTIONS: Alarm, calendar, minute repeater, power reserve indicator, tourbillon, dual time
BUCKLE: Steel buckle
WITH: Additional original platinum bracelet and clasp
ESTIMATE: USD30,000-60,000
LOT 131
RICHARD MILLE, A TITANIUM RM010 TO MARK 1st ABU DHABI F1 GRAND PRIX 2009, MBZ LIMITED EDITION 081/200
CASE STAMPED: RM010 AI Ti/2793
CIRCA: 2009
CASE MATERIAL: Grade 5 Titanium
STRAP MATERIAL: Richard Mille black rubber strap
DIAL: Openworked dial with applied lume plots on the hour markers. The track layout of the Yas Marina circuit a print of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and MBZ010 in seen on the dial.
MOVEMENT: CAL. RMAS7, automatic
FUNCTIONS: Time, date
CLASP: Titanium Richard Mille folding clasp
This particular Richard Mille was gifted to important dignitaries by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan to mark the first Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix in 2009.
ESTIMATE: US$100,000-150,000
LOT 133
MB&F, A LIMITED EDITION TITANIUM LEGACY MACHINE NO. 1 M.A.D. DUBAI, 01/13
Details: CIRCA: 2016
CASE MATERIAL: Titanium, caseback stamped 1/13
DIAMETER: 44 mm.
STRAP MATERIAL: MB&F; black CROCODILE leather strap
DIAL: Green with dual time zones displayed on two dials (left with Roman numerals and right with Arabic Hindi numerals)
MOVEMENT: Manual
FUNCTIONS: Dual time, power reserve
BUCKLE: MB&F titanium buckle
WITH: Original presentation box and certificate of warranty dated 30 November 2016 and instruction manual
A limited edition of just 13 pieces, the Legacy Machine No. 1 in titanium has a manual-winding movement developed for MB&F by Chronode with bridge design and finishing specified by renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.
ESTIMATE: US$80,000-120,000
LOT 136
ROLEX, A RARE STEEL TRIPLE CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH “DATO COMPAX”, REF. 6036
CIRCA: 1952
CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel
DIAMETER: 36 mm.
BRACELET: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet
DIAL: Silvered dial with gold numerals at 12 and 8 faceted square hour markers and gold hands, outer date ring with blue Arabic numerals, calendar indications in the Spanish language
MOVEMENT: Cal. 72C, manual
FUNCTIONS: Time, day, date, month, chronograph
CLASP: Rolex steel folding clasp
Reference 6036, the third generation of the celebrated “Dato Compax” Oyster triple calendar chronograph model presented by Rolex, was available with various dial layouts, cased mainly in yellow gold and in stainless steel. The highly collectible Rolex Oyster triple calendar chronograph watches, also known as “Dato Compax” models, consist of four different series. Famed French Olympic skiing legend and Rolex enthusiast Jean-Claude Killy has sported a Dato Compax in the past and the model hence has been dubbed by watch enthusiasts the “Jean-Claude Killy”.
ESTIMATE: US$100,000-180,000
