Auctions
Independents 2023 Auction by Ineichen Auctioneers
Auctions
Independents 2023 Auction by Ineichen Auctioneers
Ineichen Auctioneers
Ineichen Auctioneers gained a name for themselves in historically significant pocket watches. When the Swiss watch industry found itself struggling to adapt to the changes in quartz watch technology and mass production in the 1980s, Ineichen Auctioneers branched out to include a publishing branch; it gained its reputation with a book about Patek Philippe wristwatches by Martin Huber and Alan Banbery that is still a respected guide to this day.
The auction house met some challenges with the rapid adoption of online retailing and advertising. They wanted to stay true to their traditional business model of antique and vintage watches as a sign of loyalty to their devoted customers, but with the changing times, they started to look for a new leadership with more modern ideas.
Artemy Lechbinsky, with his historian’s knowledge and collector’s love of watches from beautiful antiques to modern independent watchmakers’ timepieces, brought a transformative vision for Ineichen Auctioneers. Lechbinsky bought the auction house from Frank Ineichen in 2017 and began a full redesign of the shopfronts, the business model and the philosophy.
The Independents Auction
The first Independents 2023 auction by the Ineichen Auctioneers is set to occur in Geneva this spring on May 9, 10 and 11th and includes preview and pre-auction sale on May 9th and 10th followed by a physical auction of the lots starting at 2 p.m. on May 11th. The auction will be hosted at the iconic 5-star Hotel du Président Wilson overlooking Lake Geneva and minutes from the parks and boutiques of the famous rue du Rhône and participants will be treated to a cocktail party on May 11th as a part of the event.
So, why there is a dedicated auction and website for independent brands and watchmakers? Ineichen Auctioneers explain, “Currently, we are seeing a significant increase in the interest of collectors in watches created by independent watchmakers and small creative brands. We intend to support this trend through our work – in searching for important and attractive timepieces, in making accurate assessments of their prospects, and in researching and providing information that we publish while presenting watches we have selected for auction. Watchmaking, and above all the works of independent watchmakers and small creative brands, needs explaining and a good amount of publicity. Without this, how else can one explain the value and difference between a timepiece produced by an independent watchmaker and an ordinary watch bought in a regular store?”
This first auction will be focused on some of the exciting independent watch brands that are driving creative and innovative approaches to watchmaking in the industry. Work of over 30 well known and regarded independent watchmakers are featured in this thematic auction, including F.P. Journe, Kari Voutilainen, Gerald Genta, Vianney Halter, Roger Dubuis, Alain Silberstein, Daniel Roth and De Bethune. We picked four interesting lots from the Ineichen Independents 2023 catalog:
Voutilainen 28TI Piece Unique
The lot starting price is set for CHF 130,000 and the Buy Now price is set to CHF 350,000.
F.P.Journe T30
In 2004, F. P. Journe stopped the production of watches with movements made from brass. Instead, since 2004, almost all new watches from the brand have been equipped with movements made of 18k pink gold without coating. Nevertheless, the mainplate and bridges of the present example are made of brass, because François-Paul Journe, in conceiving this release, set out to reproduce the execution of his first pocket watch as faithfully as possible. The brass parts of the caliber 1412 are decorated with gilding in the traditional frosted finish technique, just as it was done on his first pocket watch of 1983.
The lot starting price is set for CHF 250,000 and the Buy Now price is set to CHF 550,000.
Daniel Roth Chronograph Numero 7
The lot starting price is set for CHF 45,000 and the Buy Now price is set to CHF 100,000.
Czapek & Cie Antarctique Chronograph Rattrapante Silver Grey
Launched in 2020, The Antarctique Chronograph Rattrapante Silver Grey is the first complicated model of the Antarctique collection. It is a uniquely-designed split chronograph with an open dial and a chronograph movement mounted on the side, allowing the watch owner to observe the operation of the complex mechanical device without removing the watch from the wrist. The brand claims that the open-worked split-second chronograph on the dial side is a world premiere.
The lot starting price is set for CHF 30,000 and the Buy Now price is set to CHF 70,000.
You can view all the lots and register to bid for the May 11th auction here.