Following the record-breaking Spring season which established Phillips as the global market leader in watch auctions, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is delighted to announce a double evening sale dedicated once again to the world’s finest collectible timepieces. Taking place on November 12th and 13th of this year at Hôtel La Réserve in Genève, highlights from the sale will be on exhibition in Hong Kong —Oct. 1-5—, New York —Oct. 13-17— and London —Oct. 22-24— prior to the pre-sale exhibition in Genève beginning on November 10th, 2016. The top lot, a stainless steel Patek Philippe reference 1518 will be available during the viewing dates. Along with the star of the auction, the Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR will feature an unprecedented triad of all metals of the Patek Philippe reference 1518, amongst many other superb timepieces. Of course we will be bringing you our usual live pictures of the highlights of the auction here at WCL.
Faithful to its relentless focus on quality, the Phillips Watches team of specialists is proud to offer, for the first time ever in a single sale, all case material configurations produced for the historical Patek Philippe reference 1518. Each example is amongst the finest known in the international community in terms of provenance, originality, and their immaculately well-preserved condition. The world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph produced in series, only 281 examples were made —the vast majority in yellow gold, approximately 44 known in pink gold, and only four known in stainless steel.
The timepieces are individually estimated at:
- Patek Philippe in Stainless Steel reference 1518: CHF 3 million Swiss Francs
- Patek Philippe Pink Gold reference 1518: CHF 600,000 to 1.2 million Swiss Francs
- Patek Philippe Yellow gold reference 1518: CHF 250,000 to 500,000 Swiss Francs
Another big highlight of this upcoming Phillips Geneva Watch Auction FOUR is the Rolex reference 6085 'The Dragon' with an estimate between 500,000 and one million Swiss Francs. The present reference 6085 is a highly important, possibly unique Rolex wristwatch fitted with a spectacular cloisonné dial depicting a coveted dragon. Rolex wristwatches fitted with cloisonné enamel dials are amongst the world’s most desirable collectible watches. Those depicting a dragon are considered the ultimate motif for the most discerning collectors. Scholarship indicates that only five Dragon dial Rolex models are known to date, each housed in a different reference making this reference 6085 most likely unique. This example’s stunning beauty, uniqueness, and exceptional craftsmanship demonstrate in every way that this was a true Rolex masterpiece when made in 1951. Over 60 years later, it remains a treasure worthy of crowning the world’s finest collections.
Another extremely important watch that will be auctioned in November is the Rolex reference 3330 'The Perfect Rose' with an estimate between 300,000 and 600,000 Swiss Francs. The Rolex reference 3330, along with the reference 3335, is considered amongst the rarest and largest pre-Oyster Rolex chronographs ever produced by the brand. Produced in the 1940s, they boasted large cases, unique for the majority of watch brands during this time period, with a diameter of 37 mm. Only a handful of the reference have appeared at auction in the past 15 years, underscoring this model’s utter exclusivity, and the present example in pink gold is, without exaggeration, the world’s most beautiful and best preserved example of the reference one could hope to obtain. Fitted with its original rose-colored, multi-scale dial, every element of the watch is in absolutely pristine condition likely having spent its lifetime of 70 years unused in a safe.
Then we have a Rolex Submariner reference 6538 made in the 1950s, Rolex reference 6538 is known by two nick names, the 'James Bond' due to the watch’s appearance on Sean Connery’s wrist in Dr. No, and also by the name 'Big Crown' due to its oversized winding crown. A rare and highly desirable four-liner variant referring to the four lines of text found on the dial at 6 o’clock, this watch is in our opinion, the most important reference 6538 known in the collecting community due to the spectacular “tropical” dial having aged to a superb and uniform shade of tropical brown. Due to its overall immaculate state of preservation, the present watch holds the record for the highest price ever realized at auction for a Submariner, further highlighting its importance. It is an ultimate trophy for collectors of rare Rolex sports watches. Estimate betwen 300,000 to 600,000 Swiss Francs.
Just as if all the previous watches were not impressive and special enough, Phillips will also be auctioning a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman Panda' ref. 6263 with Tiffany & Co. signed dial. The estimate between a quarter to half a million Swiss Francs for this fresh-to-the-auction market and previously unknown reference 6263 Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman Panda' is according to scholarship, the only known and correct example retailed by Tiffany & Co. Rolex’s exotic dial for the Cosmograph Daytona, with its Art Deco-inspired flare, became known as the 'Paul Newman' after the famous actor who wore one for many years. Its combination of utter rarity, exclusivity, and superb state of preservation make this one of the most important and valuable Daytonas in the collecting community, and a trophy watch worthy of a prominent place in the world’s finest collections.
Continuing with these highlights, Phillips will also auction an ultra rare Patek Philippe ref. 565 nicknamed the 'The Night Watchman'. With an estimate between 200,000 and 400,000 Swiss Francs, this is a superb and unique stainless steel example of Patek Philippe's reference 565 — one of the brand’s most iconic time-only watches from the 1940s. The original owner of this timepiece was a night watchman for Patek Philippe who was gifted the present watch by the firm in recognition of his work and dedication. The black dial with radium numerals and hands was made for ease of use in low light during the guard's night shifts. Preserved in stunning condition, it is the only known example of its type, making it a unique piece.
Another Daytona up for auction is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239 'Linz Paul Newman' with an estimate between 200,000 and 400,000 Swiss Francs. Exceptionally rare and stunning, the present Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, reference 6239, is fitted with the only known Paul Newman dial bearing the prestigious “LINZ” retailer signature. This Texas-based retailer was founded in 1877 and for generations, was one of the U.S.’s earliest and most influential luxury watch retailers. Made in 1968, it is one of the rarest examples of the Daytona reference 6239 known to exist. Linz’s unforgettable logo, with the letter N printed backwards, adds an eccentric and enchanting element to the dial that makes it extremely desirable to collectors.
Lastly, a Rolex Dato Compax ref. 4767 'Killy' in gold and a Rolex Monoblocco ref. 3525 from the descendant of the original owner. With an estimate between 200,000 and 400,000 Swiss Francs for the Dato Compax and 50,000 to 80,000 Swiss Francs for the Monoblocco. An absolutely fresh-to-the-market pair of complicated vintage Rolex chronograph watches coming from the descendent of their original owner, each superb examples, and each purchased from the same Croatia-based retailer, Enrico Nattich. The first is one of the most exciting Dato Compax examples to appear on the market in recent memory. Launched in 1947 and known as the 'Jean Claude Killy', the reference 4767 Dato Compax was Rolex’s first triple calendar chronograph wristwatch in an Oyster case and one of the most complicated watches ever made by the brand. The original owner enjoyed wearing this beautifully preserved watch, fitted with a rare champagne dial, only on weekends.
Then, during the week, the original owner chose to wear the stainless steel Rolex reference 3525 presented here as his 'everyday' watch. Clearly a gentleman of exquisite taste, this reference 3525 is as stunning as the reference 4767 he selected, with a rare black dial that has aged to a wonderful shade of dark brown. Both come accompanied with their original, signed Enrico Nattich Rolex boxes, and each is exceptionally well preserved and in superb condition.
The auction will also feature a world-class selection of important and historic military watches made by Rolex for Officine Panerai. The selection includes a very rare reference 3646 Type D made in 1944, a highly desirable reference 6152/1 made in 1955, and an extremely rare reference 6154. Also known as the “Egiziano Piccolo”, less than 20 reference 6154 examples were produced in 1954. Surviving in original, unrestored condition, due to its stunning tropical dial and case condition, no other 6154 is as well documented and prominently published throughout literature as this example.
For more info on Phillips Watches and the rest of the lots click here.
