A Trio Of Rare And Important Patek Philippe Wristwatches Lead Christie's New York Watches Sale On June 11
Following a record breaking auction season in Hong Kong, which achieved US$19.8 million in sales, while in Geneva a Rolex Ref. 4113 realized SFr. 1,107,750 (US$1,160,922) set a new world record for any Rolex wristwatch – Christie’s New York is pleased to announce highlights of its upcoming sale of Important Watches on June 11. This highly anticipated auction boasts over 360 lots of historical, rare and extremely alluring timepieces. The day-long auction, with public views beginning June 7, is expected to achieve in excess of US$ 6 million.
As a special highlight of the sale, Christie’s previously announced The Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication No. 97912 (pictured at left; estimate: $1,000,000 – 1,500,000). This Patek Philippe Grand Complication 97912 is an 18k pink gold openface minute repeating perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph clockwatch with grande and petite sonnerie, and moon phases, manufactured in 1898. Purchased October 3, 1900, for an impressive SFr. 6,500 by Stephen S. Palmer, the discovery of this Grand Complication is a spectacular addition to scholarship surrounding Patek Philippe and Grand Complications in general. Never before seen in public, and for the first time ever on the auction block, The Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication No. 9791 will be unveiled in Christie’s Rockefeller Center saleroom marking an unprecedented occasion for collectors of the world’s finest timepieces.
Additional highlights include exceptional offerings from Patek Philippe. Launched in 1952, the Reference 2497 in 18K gold, is a perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases and center seconds, (pictured page one, right; estimate: $150,000 – 250,000); the Reference 5004 in platinum, is a perpetual calendar spilt-seconds chronograph wristwatch with moon phases and silvered dial (pictured page one, center; estimate: $200,000 – 300,000); and the Reference 1518 in 18K gold, is a perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases – the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch to be manufactured in series by any firm in the world (pictured page one, left; estimate: $250,000 – 350,000).
Douglas Escribano, Head of Sale, Watches commented: “This has been an incredible season for watch collectors around the world making the upcoming auction in New York that much more exciting. This June, we are offering timepieces from 1680 to present times, with the Stephen S. Palmer Patek Philippe Grand Complication No. 97912 as our premiere lot. This spring, at Christie’s New York, we are excited to present an exceptionally broad view of horology that is sure to entice collectors across a global level.”