See the Top Lots in Christie’s Upcoming Rare Watch Sale
According to Christie’s, the auction is its most important single-owner watch collection ever.
Later this fall, Christie’s Geneva will offer more than 100 watches it says have never appeared at auction.
“Legendary and Unique Watches: The Collection of a Lifetime,” is Christie’s most important single-owner watch collection ever presented, the auction house said.
Comprising 112 watches, the collection features one-off timepieces, watches with personalized dials, prototypes, and some timepieces that are No. 1 in a series of limited editions.
The collection’s private owner amassed the timepieces over four decades, gathering rare references from sought-after brands like Patek Philippe and Rolex.
Highlights are the limited-edition Richard Mille Ref. RM56-01; the Rolex Ref. 6421 Daytona; and the Vacheron Constantin Ref. 43050 Mercator.
According to Christie’s, the limited-edition Richard Mille Ref. RM56-01 AN SAPHIR/PR00, No. 011, (pictured at top of article), is the first of its kind to appear at international auction.
Released in 2013, the case is crafted from single blocks of sapphire crystal. Calculating the total hours to manufacture, it took approximately 40 days, or 960 hours, plus an additional 350 hours (more than 14 days) to polish.
The transparent dial reveals the tourbillion, titanium minute ring and hour indexes.
The timepiece is expected to sell for between approximately $2.6 million and $4.6 million.
The Rolex Ref. 6241 Daytona is crafted in 18-karat gold. Circa 1968, it features a champagne-colored “Paul Newman” dial.
The reference was produced between 1966 and 1969. A total of 2,250 pieces were produced in stainless steel, 300 in 18-karat gold and 450 in 14-karat gold.
These watches featured “non-Oyster,” or “non-screw-down,” chronograph buttons and bezel with black plastic insert.
This timepiece is estimated to sell for between $613,000 and $1 million.
Another watch in the sale, the Vacheron Constantin Ref. 43050 Mercator, is crafted in platinum and features a Metiers d’Art “Ferrari Enzo” cloisonne enamel dial.
The watch debuted in 1994 as a tribute to 16th-century cartographer Gerardus Mercator.
It displays time with a double retrograde mechanism with hands that mimic the shape of a cartographer’s tool.
When the hour hands hits 12 o’clock, it releases back to the starting position. The same happens for the second hand when it reaches 60.
The watch is expected to garner between approximately $100,000 and $200,000.
“Legendary and Unique Watches: The Collection of a Lifetime” is in New York City from Oct. 1 to 5.
It will stop in several cities before hitting the auction block in Geneva at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues on Nov. 22.
Christie’s expects the sale to earn around $20.5 million total.
An undisclosed portion of sale proceeds will benefit charity.
The Latest
There is a willingness to comply with new government-mandated regulations, with an insistence that they should be practical and realistic.
A combination of factors is driving growth in the industry despite the precipitous drop in prices across the board.
The zone’s modernization will enhance and increase India’s jewelry manufacturing capabilities while aiding small and mid-sized businesses.
For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
The company plans to invest $25 million in marketing initiatives to boost awareness around its namesake and licensed brands.
Optimism about the current state of the economy was offset by anxiety around inflation and the political environment.
Ho Brothers offers scalable solutions for the future of custom jewelry.
The former WJA executive director is MFM’s new managing director.
DDG encourages retailers to educate customers on the positive impact of purchasing natural diamonds.
Highlighting the most iconic Tiffany collections, it’s inspired by the company’s late window designer, Gene Moore.
Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen explore how jewelers can save time and money by using AI to analyze engagement and create content.
The retailer previously turned down an $8.4 billion offer in 2018.
The Florida store’s owner Miguel Gonzalez is retiring.
The lab stresses the importance of accurate identification, as the difference in price is “substantial.”
The brand also plans to expand its retail footprint from 138 to 200 stores over the next three years.
One is reserved for a NAJA member, the other for a non-member.
Longtime employees Carie Lehrke and Megan Mattice have received promotions.
Three guests joined National Jeweler and Jewelers of America to discuss trending time periods, spotting reproductions, and more.
Chris Clipper and Robert Lepere join the company with 50 years of combined experience.
The trendy, metallic earrings wink at classic spring colors.
JSA said a man and woman pulled the safe out of an Oakland jewelry store but couldn’t quite get it into their van.
The miner’s March auction generated $19 million.
Helen McCluskey will succeed H. Todd Stitzer when he meets his 12-year term limit in June.
“Chopard x Julia Roberts” showcases the first gems cut from the 6,000-carat-plus “Insofu Emerald."
The jewelry giant also posted a double-digit drop in same-store sales for the full year.
The Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design was presented to a graduate of the GIA school in Taipei.