Antiquorum’s December auction of “Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces” in New York totaled $4,633,937, representing the highest total for an Antiquorum New York sale in 2013.
The outstanding collection of 343 timepieces, with estimates ranging from several hundred dollars to nearly one million dollars, sold 114% by value based on its low estimate.
Along with the many telephone, room, and commission bidders, there were 532 registered internet bidders competing for the sought-after watches offered in the sale. Strong international participation came from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, Italy and the United States.
“We are extremely pleased by the outstanding results for our last auction of the year,” said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO, Antiquorum.
“We look forward to continued success in 2014 and are excited to celebrate Antiquorum’s 40th anniversary with exceptional timepieces, unparalleled expertise and extraordinary events around the world.”
Highlighting the sale was the exceptional Patek Philippe Ref. 5207 [lot 161]. Three phone bidders fiercely competed for the platinum minute-repeating perpetual calendar with honey gold dial, which ultimately sold to a Chinese bidder for an outstanding $843,750 in the December auction.
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Equally as exciting was the impassioned bidding for the Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 [lot 343] in platinum.
The rare minute-repeater perpetual calendar elicited great enthusiasm from international collectors and sparked a bidding war between five phone bidders finally selling for $795,750.
Other rare Patek Philippe wristwatches also performed well in the sale. After intense competition between phone and internet bidders, the Patek Philippe“Celestial,” Ref. 5102 in 18K yellow gold [lot 160] brought $219,750.
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Furthermore, the Patek Philippe Ref. 3971 [lot 342], a perpetual calendar with rare snap-back case in 18K yellow gold, attained $105,750; while the Patek Philippe Ref. 3970 in yellow gold [lot 340] sold for $81,250.
“Highly complicated timepieces continue to be in great demand by collectors worldwide,” said Saori Omura, New York Watch Director, Antiquorum.
“In today’s sale we were especially delighted by the exceptional prices attained for the Patek Philippe Ref. 5207 and the Patek Philippe Ref. 3974.”
Additionally, Rolex Paul Newman Daytonas continue to drive important results at auction. The Rolex Ref. 6263 in steel [lot 152] sold to a room bidder for an outstanding $183,750, over double its high estimate; while the Rolex Ref. 6239 with black dial in steel [lot 153] also generated global attention and sold for $93,750. Furthermore, the Rolex Ref. 6264 in steel [lot 151] obtained an impressive $90,000.
Exceptional pocket watches remain popular with collectors. The Vacheron Constantin Minute Repeater Chronograph [lot 213] captured bidders’ interest and sold for $30,000, exceeding its high estimate by 50%; and the A. Lange & Söhne 18K yellow gold pocket watch [lot 211] attained $11,250, more than double its low estimate.
Longines also saw significant results in the sale; the Longines Ref. 7042 Legend Diver [lot 124] sold for a remarkable $ 13,750, over double its high estimate.
Antiquorum looks forward to our next auction on February 22nd in Hong Kong, featuring an impressive collection of modern and vintage collectible timepieces including a Patek Philippe Ref. 5004 in steel made in a limited edition of 50 pieces in 2012.
The “top lots” for Antiquorum’s December 11th New York sale are as follows:
Lot 161
Patek Philippe Ref. 5207 Tourbillon Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Honey Gold Dial Platinum.
Sold on November 10th, 2009. Extremely fine, rare and important, astronomic, minute-repeating, platinum wristwatch with one-minute tourbillon regulator, instantaneous perpetual calendar, moon phases, honey gold dial, and a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by a mahogany fitted box, Certificate of Origin, additional platinum caseback, setting pin, COSC, technical and instructional documents in leather folio.
Sold for: 843,750 USD
Lot 343
Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 Minute-Repeating Perpetual Calendar Platinum.
Made in 1992, sold March 18th, 1993. Extremely fine and rare, astronomic, minute repeating, self-winding, platinum wristwatch with perpetual calendar, leap year indication, moon phases and a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by a service box, the Extract of the Archives, correspondence from Patek Philippe and various booklets
Sold for: 795,750 USD
Lot 341
Patek Philippe Ref 5033 Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar Platinum.
Extremely rare, fine and important, tonneau-shaped, Art Deco-style, minute-repeating, self- winding, platinum wristwatch with annual calendar and a platinum Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by a mahogany fitted box, setting pin, the certificate of Origin, an additional platinum caseback, technical and instructional documents in leather folio.
