Phillips
The New York Watch Auction: X by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is full of the usual coveted icons, including a Patek Philippe Ref. 1518, a Rolex Daytona “John Player Special,” and a rare platinum Duality from the master of independents, Philippe Dufour. There are also some fun, more accessible collectibles in the sale. Two Cartier Crash models stand out for their unusual twists on an already unusual design (lot 98 has a burgundy lacquer dial, and lot 4 is a unique piece with green Roman numerals). And for those whose budget doesn’t include a Rolex “John Player Special,” there are two steel Rolex Paul Newman Daytonas in the sale estimated under the $500,000 mark. There are also a handful of Patek Philippe Nautiluses with estimates under $100,000. And just for fun, check out the rarely seen diamond-studded Vacheron Constantin 1972 model (lot 33) with dual time zones, with a high estimate of just $30,000.
Amidst some trepidation about sales in both the primary and secondary watch markets for 2024 (and mild panic over the website hack at Christie’s), the auction market in general seems to be ticking along. The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX held over the weekend by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, totaled $39,667,167, and Christie’s Rare Watches sale in Geneva reached just over $25 million. According to the Hammertrack report on 2023 watch auctions, sales were down 13 percent last year, but 2022 was a record year and this year is looking better, so staying the course in 2024 would be no cause for panic. Here are some of the newly added highlights on offer at Phillips New York Watch Auction: X on June 8 and 9.
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Cartier Crash Lot 4 ($30,000-$60,000)
Image Credit: Cartier This Crash from 2023, Ref. WGCH0087, is thought to be a possibly unique special order. It is in unworn condition and comes with its original box, papers, and accessories. This is a larger size of the model at 42 mm by 21 mm.
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Cartier Crash Lot 98 ($100,000-$200,000)
Image Credit: Cartier While its red lacquer dial and bold white Roman numerals won’t be for everyone, this 2001 Crash also comes with the silver dial that originally was fitted in the watch. It was purchased by the consignor at auction, who replaced the dial with the current cherry-hued dial from Cartier Japan. No doumentation, however, was kept of this replacement.
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Cartier Oval Maxi Lot 99 ($100,000 – $200,000)
Image Credit: Phillips Cartier shaped watches are getting a lot of traction at auction lately, particularly those made by Cartier London in the 1960s and ’70s. The Oval Maxi was part of the Baignoire Allongée series, particularly prized by collectors. It is one of two known examples with an interesting black/blue dial. It is stamped JC, which means Jacques Cartier designed it.
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Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 Lot 30 ($400,000 – $800,000)
Image Credit: Phillips Only 281 of the Ref. 1518, Patek’s first perpetual calendar chronograph models were made, between 1941 and 1954. Most (215) were made of yellow gold, including this model. It’s the steel models, of which only four were made, that score high at auction: Phillips sold one in 2016 for just over $11 million. Among the 58 made in pink gold, one was sold by Phillips in 2021 for $9.6 million. This one was in the same family for two generations.
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Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 5402 ST Lot 109 ($80,000 – $160,000)
Image Credit: Phillisps The Sultans of Omar were fond of commissioning special editions with various Khanjar references, the emblem of Oman. In this example, the dial was decorated with a pair of crossed Khanjar daggers. The black dial is devoid of the customary tapisserie motif and is set with diamond markers. It was made in 1973, just one year after the Royal Oak was introduced. Phillips believes it to be one of only six.
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Patek Philippe Ref. 5208P Lot 151 ($500,000 – $1,000,00)
Image Credit: Phillips Made in 2017, this platinum minute repeater/perpetual calendar/chronograph is described by Phillips as “never worn.” It was an ”application” piece, sold to top customers on approval only, and said to be frequently worn by Patek president Thierry Stern himself. The platinum model was discontinued in 2018 and the 5208 is now only sold in pink gold editions.
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