20 February 2023 – The bar has been set high for 2023, with 2022 an exception year for watches at Christie’s. While the sustained demand for vintage Rolex and Patek Philippe timepieces was reaffirmed, Christie’s private sales rose by 73% year on year, as Christie’s continued to strengthen its position as the reference for curating exceptional collections and bringing them to market:
- Legendary and Unique Watches sold 100% and achieved a total of US$ 32 million
- The Kairos collection of 128 Patek Philippe watches – 100% sold across sales in Geneva, Hong Kong and New York – fetched a total of US$ 22.2 million
- The Champion Collection Part I – Part 6 which made over HK$ 310 million/US$ 40 million (91% sold by lot)
It is therefore not without a measure of excitement and anticipation that Christie’s is releasing its 2023 Spring Watch Calendar with a total of 8 auctions to be held in Hong Kong, Dubai, Geneva and New York between March and June. The Top of the Time is Hong Kong’s very first online sale and launches the season. This Spring also promises a number of additional firsts including an unprecedented array of 40 F.P. Journe timepieces to be presented at Christie’s Geneva as a Live auction in May.
HONG KONG
10 to 20 March 2023 – Watches Online: Top of the Time
26 May 2023 – Important Watches
In March, the most valuable online sale to date will be hosted, featuring over 100 lots, with two exceptional highlights: a Patek Philippe Ref. 6002G that may well become the most expensive wristwatch ever sold in an online sale, as well as a fabulous Patek Philippe Ref. 5208P.
For its Important Watches Live auction at the end of May, Christie’s Hong Kong will present a masterpiece by Patek Philippe, a Ref. 2523J World Time that could become the most expensive wristwatch ever sold in Asia. On the contemporary side, a spectacular Patek Philippe Ref. 5002, in a unique combination of rose gold, black dial and 12 diamond indexes will be offered, as well as one of the most famous Sky Moon timepieces to be auctioned for the very first time.
Alexandre Bigler, Vice-President, Head of Watches Asia Pacific, shared: “Christie’s Hong Kong will build upon the market vibrancy in Asia and the resounding success of our record-breaking sales last Autumn with the fabulous result of HK$ 310 million made by The Champion Collection, as well as the eased restrictions in the region as we enter a ‘post pandemic normal’. We anticipate an even stronger appetite for fine timepieces and are ideally positioned to serve our collectors with our curated Live auction, Important Watches, and our very first Online sale entitled Top of The Time, which will kick off the Christie’s Watches Spring season and set new records.”
DUBAI
24 April to 4 May – Watches Online: The Dubai Edit
Christie’s Middle East starts its Spring season with a very carefully curated selection of modern, contemporary and vintage timepieces, from must-haves by Patek Philippe, including a fabulous 3970P in platinum with a special black dial and Arabic numerals; Richard Milles and Rolexes including a selection of iconic Daytonas such as Ref. 6263 and Ref. 6265, Rolex day-date with special stone dials including the most sought after Coral Dial; to the most beautiful specimens made specially for the Arabic world such as the unique complication Parmigiani Fleurier Hijri perpetual calendar limited to only 25 pieces.
Remy Julia, Director, Christie’s Watch Specialist, Dubai Head of Watches, commented: “Today more than ever, Dubai, as a global hub for rare and collectible watches, is adapting its offer to the demand for superior quality vintage time pieces and rare contemporary watches.
The most sought-after pieces are rigorously being selected to meet the expectations of quality and expertise required by the most demanding global collectors who are more than ever watchful in their acquisitions, to transact with comfort and trust. This season, too, Watches Online: The Dubai Edit is expected to reach new heights in the US$ 10 million range with an average price over US$ 50,000.”
GENEVA
13 May 2023 – The Art of F.P. Journe
15 May 2023 – Rare Watches
9 to 23 2023 May – Watches Online: The Geneva Edit
Christie’s Geneva, the top selling site for Rolex timepieces, will feature some of the finest and rarest examples of the iconic Daytona chronograph, together with vintage and modern Patek Philippes including a superb “fresh to the market” reference 2499 first series consigned by a private European collector.
A unique moment, Christie’s will also present an unprecedented ensemble of F.P Journe timepieces in a standalone thematical auction. This event will retrace the history of the maker, offering some of the most daring creations of this celebrated watchmaker.
A selection of lots offered in both Live auctions will be exhibited worldwide before their arrival for exhibition at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva prior to the event.
In addition to the Live auctions, the Watches Online: Geneva Edit sale will offer a curated selection of eye-catching timepieces comprising sought-after pieces by Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe, and many more.
Remi Guillemin, Head of Europe Watches, shared: “This Spring season will further strengthen our defining successes we are the leading market for iconic and vintage Rolex watches; and a key market where private collectors entrust their most sought-after possessions. This will be particularly evidenced with a extraordinary Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 Première Série, from the 1950s, which a private collector chose to entrust to Christie’s Geneva and that will be presented during our Rare Watches white glove sale in May.”
NEW YORK
7 June 2023 – Important Watches
30 May to 9 June 2023 – Watches Online
Christie’s New York will close the 2023 Spring season calendar with its Important Watches Live auction and the Watches Online sale, both to be held at the end of May. The two auctions will host highly desirable references of independent watchmakers including F.P.Journe, exciting examples from Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet, and a very attractive selection of vintage and modern Patek Philippe and Rolex watches. One of the key moments of the Live auction will be the presentation of two highly complicated timepieces from the manufacture Breguet.
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 building on last year’s strong participation of 32 countries in our Important Watches sale, during which quality and rare timepieces proved to command strong prices, showing the trust and passion private collectors have in Christie’s.”
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.