Auctions
Povey’s Picks – Christie’s Rare Watches Geneva May 2019
Auctions
Povey’s Picks – Christie’s Rare Watches Geneva May 2019
True Gems
There is something about the chronograph that lends itself to being gem-set. Bling is no longer the preserve of rappers and drug lords, but is now almost de rigueur in a serious watch collection. Trust me, I’ve seen the world’s most pre-eminent vintage Rolex collectors (think owners of multiple Big Crowns, MilSubs, Comex and Paul Newmans) enjoying an iced Day Date or sapphire-encrusted Sub. Lot 85 is a watch that I admit to being completely smitten by. If I could own only one Rolex watch it would be this. The Perpetual Daytona is an important watch in Rolex’s catalog, especially when driven by Rolex’s in-house caliber 4130 movement. Lot 85 is a reference 116589 SACI and in this example it has a sodalite dial with brilliant-cut diamond hour markers. In my mind, the blue sodalite dial framed by the sky blue baguette-cut sapphire bezel is the most beautiful combination and my ultimate Daytona. I’m really not hiding my love for this watch, I’m proudly wearing it on my sleeve. In fact, I’d dearly love to actually wear it under my sleeve and maybe I will at the preview… if only for a minute or two!
Famous Faces
Lot 193 was the former property of the legendary artist Andy Warhol. The Rolex Oyster chronograph reference 3525 demonstrates that not only was Warhol a master artist but also a connoisseur of fine wristwatches. The steel watch with pink gold bezel and winding crown is in beautiful unrestored condition. The dial’s patina is graceful as are the proportions of the watch. The watch is featured in John Goldberger’s book 100 Superlative Watches and I remember seeing the watch in the book many years ago and being captivated not only by its beauty but also the fascinating provenance. The combination of the watch’s stunning and original condition coupled with its celebrity history will possibly widen the market to art collectors, who seem to have unfathomably deep pockets. I expect this watch will do very well.
The Daddies
It is impossible to decisively say which watches are the ‘top of the tree’ for a watch brand. There are far too many deciding factors in making such a choice. However, there are some references that are maybe even more important that the brand itself. Lot 255 has the headliner slot and is an example of a third-series Patek Philippe chronograph reference 2499. These watches have always been record-breakers and we have seen a number of well known double-signed examples over the past couple of years. The example that Christie’s are offering is fresh-to-market and has resided in a private collection for many years. Made in 1977 and sold in 1978 (as confirmed in the Patek archive extract), it features an aged silvered dial that has recently been cleaned. The 2499 was produced for 35 years in only 349 examples; that’s around nine pieces per year. It’s at the end of the catalog, which is fitting for such an end-game wristwatch.