‘Legendary and Unique Watches’ auction Sets a Sensational Milestone, Bringing Together The Watch And Motor Sport Communities
13 watches selling above CHF 1 million
Total close to CHF32 million
The collection sold 100%
Parts of the proceeds will be benefitting charities
REF. RM56-01 AN SAPHIR/PR00, NO. 011, 2013
Geneva, 06 November 2022 – The Legendary and Unique Watches 111 timepieces have been considered rare treasures by collectors (watch and motor racing aficionados) around the world as none of these watches have ever been offered at auction before. One-off creations, personalised dials, prototypes and the No.1 of limited editions – many watches stood out and represented a unique opportunity for collectors and the watch and motorsport communities.
Following a month-long world preview and collector dinners in the Middle East, US, Asia and Europe increased the suspense for the live auction in Geneva at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, which was 100% and raised close to CHF32 million. Top lot of the auction was the sapphire and titanium Richard Mille RM56-01; selling for CHF3,654,000.
Francis Belin, President Christie’s Asia Pacific and Luxury Group commented: Presenting these stunning 111 timepieces confirm our know-how and solid international network in the promotion of important and exceptional private watch collections. The teamwork across departments in Geneva, Hong Kong, Dubai and New York to highlight this fabulous offering throughout the world has been fantastic. The program of exhibitions and private dinners allowed us to promote each watch, in a premium environment, to the great collectors and aficionados of motor sport. I would like to extend a thank you to first-time buyers as well as loyal collectors for engaging with this auction.
Remi Guillemin, Head of Christie’s Geneva Watch department concluded: It was a true honour for Christie’s to be entrusted with the sale of such a competitive and magnificent collection. Linking the worlds of watchmaking and car racing, the sale offered iconic timepieces, with provenance from legendary pilots and sport heroes, at every price point. It has been an honour and privilege for me and the Christies team to transmit our passion to the most exigent international collectors in Geneva, the nest of fine watchmaking. Adding to the above, our deepest gratitude goes to our international collectors, with whom we embarked on this journey and share many memorable moments.
The watch offering attracted 23% new bidders, 30% of lots sold above the high estimate with bidding coming from 35 countries. The auction was expected to fetch in the region of CHF 20 million and made CHF31,877,418 – $31,679,596 – EUR 32, 357,839 with 13 lots selling above CHF 1 million.
Richard Mille, Limited Edition, REF. RM56-01 AN SAPHIR/PR00, NO. 011, 2013
To the best of our knowledge, this magnificent timepiece was the first example ever to be offered at international auction and set a new world auction price at CHF 3, 654,000
Estimate: CHF 2,500,000-4,500,000
Sold for: CHF3,654,000 – $3,631, 324 – EUR 3,709,069
F.P. Joune UNIQUE GRANDE ET PETITE SONNERIE, January 2009
Made as a very special and personal bespoke piece for the collector, it is without doubt one of the most individual watches of the entire Sonnerie Souveraine collection, sold for CHF 3,054,000
Estimated: CHF2,400,000-4,400,000
Sold for CHF3,054,000 – $ 3,035, 048 – EUR 3,100, 027
F.P. Journe
A unique piece, it was specially made for the man who inspired and contributed to the very conception of the Centigraphe model, sold for CHF 1,974,000
Estimated: CHF800,000-1,400,000
Sold for CHF1,974,000 – $ 1,961,750 – EUR 2,003,750
About Christie’s
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business. Renowned and trusted for its expert live and online auctions, as well as its bespoke private sales, Christie’s offers a full portfolio of global services to its clients, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s has a physical presence in 46 countries, throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. It also is the only international auction house authorized to hold sales in mainland China (Shanghai). Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $200 to over $100 million. In recent years, Christie’s has achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction (Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, 2017), for a 20th century artwork (Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn, 2022) and for a work by a living artist (Jeff Koons’ Rabbit, 2019). Christie’s is also recognised as a reference for prestigious single owner collections, having auctioned 8 of the 10 most important collections in history. Christie’s Private Sales offers a seamless service for buying and selling art, jewellery and watches outside of the auction calendar, working exclusively with Christie’s specialists at a client’s individual pace. Recent innovations at Christie’s include groundbreaking sale of the first NFT for a digital work of art ever offered at a major auction house (Beeple’s Everydays, March 2021), with the unprecedented acceptance of cryptocurrency as a means of payment. As an industry leader in digital innovation, Christie’s also continues to pioneer new technologies that are redefining the business of art, including the use of hologram technology to tour life-size 3D objects around the world, and the creation of viewing and bidding experiences that integrate augmented reality, global livestreaming, buy-now channels, and hybrid sales formats. Christie’s is dedicated to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide, including achieving sustainability through net zero carbon emissions by 2030, and actively using its platform in the art world to amplify under-represented voices and support positive change. Browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at: www.christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps.
*Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are reported net of applicable fees.