Timepieces with stories to tell at Christie’s
New York Important Watches
Live Auction | 6 June 2023 | 86 lots | Low Estimate US$ 4.5 Million
New York, 26 May 2023 – After the successful auctions of last year, Christie’s New York Spring/Summer season promises to maintain the momentum with an Online sale from 30 May to 9 June, together with a Live sale to be held on 6 June.
Among the Live auction’s show stoppers, two spectacular, fresh-to-market timepieces from the same carefully curated family collection: a Patek Philippe Nautilus model Ref. 3700/1 o to a World War II Italian hero in recognition for his valiant resistance against Mussolini’s regime before he became a successful businessman in the leather business – set at US$100,000-200,000; and (still) the thinnest Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel ever, one of the earliest known examples of the Ref. 5554/25554ST Royal Oak to be brought to auction – its production number is 21 and it is estimated at US$150,000-250,000.
Rebecca Ross, Specialist, Head of Sale, shared: “There is no doubt that New York will delight the most discerning collectors this season with our edited selection of vintage and modern must-haves. We are proud to be trusted by family owners with timepieces, completely fresh to market, that are of great history.”
Lot 44 – Fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, this Patek Philippe Nautilus model Ref. 3700/1, belonged to a successful businessman, dedicated philanthropist, and a true hero to his family.
Born in Italy in the early 1920s, the original owner of this piece grew up in a quiet town in Sardinia. When the Second World War broke out, like many young men of his generation, he joined the fight against Mussolini’s regime in the Alps. Following the war, having lost most of his family, he decided to study industrial design and left Europe to embark for South America. There he joined a company in the leather business, and having spent many years designing and consulting for different tanneries, he was gifted this Patek Philippe in recognition of his dedication and loyalty.
Proudly enjoyed over the subsequent decades, this watch developed a distinctive ‘tropical’ patina under the South American sun. Parts of the silvered blue dial have become golden and sparkle in the light, further evoking the timepiece’s nautical quintessence, as the sun’s rays reflect off the ocean. The dial is also signed by famed retailer Gübelin, adding to the incredible rarity and desirability of this complete-set wristwatch.
(Est: US$ 100,000-200,000)
Lot 40 – Also fresh to market and from the family of the original owner, this Audemars Piguet is one of the earliest known Ref. 5554/25554ST Royal Oaks to be publicly offered. Its number: 21.
The ‘Extract from the Archives’ confirms the watch was purchased on the 6th of June, 1984. With a case measuring 39mm in a diameter, it is incredibly slim at just 7.5mm, which makes this watch the thinnest Royal Oak Quantième Perpétuel produced to this day. Being the first of its kind, the silver dial on this model eschews a leap year indicator, providing a balanced, uniform aesthetic complementing the beguiling, multi-faceted case. Powering the timepiece is the Audemars Piguet ultra-thin calibre 2120/2800, often regarded as one of the most innovative and impressive movements ever created. The present lot is a wonderful opportunity to own a legendary timepiece that reimagined and revitalised the world of luxury watches.
(Est: US$ 150,000-250,000)All pieces included in the Live sale will be displayed for public viewing during Christie’s Luxury Marquee week at the Rockefeller Center between June 2nd and June 5th.
Watches Online: The New York Edit
Online Auction | 30 May – 9 June 2023 | 118 lots | Low Estimate US$ 1 Million
Christie’s New York Online Watches auction will be going live for bidding from 30 May to 9 June, and will offer esteemed timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet and many more.
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).
auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 8 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, including the Paul G. Allen Collection—the most valuable collection ever offered at auction (November 2022). In recent years, Christie’s also 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 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.
Following the groundbreaking 2021 sale of the first digital art NFT ever offered by a global auction house (Beeple’s Everydays), Christie’s recently launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art. 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.