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10 Stunning Timepieces for Your Collection

Launch Slideshow

The Important Watches sale in Geneva on Sunday 14 May is led by the exceptional and legendary timepiece Calibre 89 in yellow gold, the most complicated watch ever created when Patek Philippe unveiled it to mark their 150th anniversary. We are honoured to present this exceptional timepiece along with a fine selection of vintage and modern watches from the most prominent brands in the market. The sale will launch the inaugural season at Sotheby’s brand new sales location in Mandarin Oriental, Geneva. Click ahead to see highlights from the sale.

Important Watches
Geneva | 14 May 2017

10 Stunning Timepieces for Your Collection

  • Patek Philippe & Co., Geneva, Reference 989, Movement No. 844000, Case No. 2839425, started in 1980 and completed in 1989 to commemorate Patek Philippe’s 150th Jubilee anniversary.
    Estimate: CHF 6,500,000–10,000,000/$6,500,000–10,000,000.
    After nearly a decade of research and craftsmanship, the legendary Calibre 89 became the most complicated watch ever created when Patek Philippe unveiled it in 1989 to mark their 150th anniversary. One of the most important watches ever to be offered at auction, it remains the brand’s mechanical ambassador.

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  • Audemars Piguet, A Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch with Date And Bracelet. Ref 5402 Case A792 Royal Oak Jumbo, circa 1972.
    Estimate: CHF 15,000–30,000/15,000–30,000.
    This example is the first Royal Oak model which is referred to as ‘A series’ or ‘Jumbo’. The reference 5402 is recognized by the placement of the ‘AP’ logo, as it is above 6 o’clock rather than at 12 o’clock.

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  • Rolex, A Yellow Gold Square Form Chronograph Wristwatch with Spiral Tachymeter Scale and Register. Ref 8206 Gabus, circa 1945.
    Estimate: CHF 40,000–60,000/$40,000–60,000.
    This watch is nicknamed ‘Gabus’ and it is believed to have been produced in a very limited quantity, making it a highly sought-after piece by avid vintage Rolex collectors today.

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  • Cartier, A Rare Platinum Rectangular Bracelet Watch. Mvt 31642 Case 23846 Tank, circa 1930.
    Estimate: CHF 20,000–40,000/$20,000–40,000.
    This watch is an early example of this iconic model and it is accompanied by a Certificate of Origin from Cartier confirming that the year of manufacture is 1930.

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  • Patek Philippe, A Stainless Steel Wristwatch with Two-Tone Dial. Ref 1503 Mvt 925110 Case 633120 Made in 1944.
    Estimate: CHF 15,000–30,000/$15,000–30’000.
    This watch is distinguished by the tear-drop lugs and the two-tone dial making it a highly attractive piece for passionate vintage stainless steel Patek Philippe collectors today.

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  • Greubel Forsey, A Prototype Platinum Asymmetrical 24-Second Inclined Tourbillon Wristwatch with 72-Hour Power Reserve Indication. Case 02053 Proto 3 Tourbillon 24"Incline Made in 2015.
    Estimate: CHF 200,000–300,000/$200,000–300,000.
    What makes this watch exceedingly rare is that it is prototype number 3, which is fantastically indicated on the dial, as PROTO 3.

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  • Omega, A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers and Exotic Racing Dial. Ref 145.022-69 St Mvt 29.609.342 Speedmaster Made in 1970.
    Estimate: CHF 15,000–25,000/$15,000–25,000.
    The remarkable Omega Speedmaster , which is celebrating 60 years this year, is renowned for its high tolerance and reliability, making it no surprise that NASA selected this timepiece for space exploration and lunar landings. This watch is distinguished by the exotic racing dial which has grey and orange indexes, making it one of the most sought-after pieces among vintage chronographs today.

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  • Patek Philippe, A Yellow Gold Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers and Moon-Phases. Ref 2499 Third Series Made in 1977.
    Estimate: CHF 300,000–500,000/$300,000–500,000.
    Reference 2499 is considered one of the most important wristwatches made by Patek Philippe today, as it is the successor to the world’s first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch reference 1518. This watch has remained in the possession of the original owner and is being offered for the first time at auction. It is accompanied by a Patek Philippe presentation case and the Certificate of Origin confirming sale in the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva on the 16th of November 1978.

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  • Vacheron Constantin, A Yellow Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Register. Ref 4072 Mvt 470010 Case 352335 Made in 1957.
    Estimate: CHF 8,000–12,000/$8,000–12,000.
    This reference 4072 from 1957 is one of the most iconic vintage chronograph watches from Vacheron Constantin. The combination of yellow gold along with the chronograph calibre 492 is believed to have been produced in a limited quantity, making it a highly desirable timepiece for watch aficionados today.

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  • Rolex, A Stainless Steel Automatic Anti-Magnetic Wristwatch with Bracelet. Ref 1019 Case 1636603 Milgauss, circa 1967.
    Estimate: CHF 20,000–30,000/$20,000–30,000.
    The model Milgauss originates from a collaboration between Rolex and CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research). The objective was to develop a wristwatch that could endure intense magnetic fields and thus be worn by CERN’s engineers while working in highly magnetic environments. The word Milgauss comes from Latin, ‘Mil’ meaning thousand and ‘gauss’ being a measurement for magnetic induction. 

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