Sotheby’s Important Watches Auction In New York Featured The First Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime … [+] To Market
Sotheby’s
This week concluded the Sotheby’s Important Watches auction in New York, which grossed over $17 million. The auctioned contained a variety of watches, from the rare to the vintage and even the exceptional. For those who want the highlights and most impressive lots, then look no further than this article.
$5.4 Million For Stallone’s Incredible Patek Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300G-010
Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300G-010
Sotheby’s
Lot 57 was undeniably the highlight of the auction, and the anticipation caused quite the stir. Sylvester Stallone had decided to sell what was referred to as the finest watch in the world, Patek Philippe’s Grandmaster Chime. Why he would do such a thing is not what this article is here to discuss, but instead the reason as to why this watch fetched such a pricey sum.
Reference 6300G is the most complicated wristwatch ever created by Patek Philippe, boasting a total of 20 different complications, including grande and petite sonnerie, minute repeater, alarm with strike time, instantaneous perpetual calendar and a great deal more which we can’t fit on this page. The watch also has a reversible case with two independent dials, one of which is focused on timekeeping and chiming complications, and the other focused on the perpetual calendar. Over 100,000 hours of research and development went into the creation of the Grandmaster Chime, with the watch boasting a total of six patents.
$564,000 For a Rare Third Series Patek Ref. 2499
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 2499
Sotheby’s
Lot 103 presented us with a fine example of the highly important Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph reference 2499, of which only 349 pieces were ever produced over its 35 year lifetime. This particular example from 1977 formed part of the tail end of third series of production of the reference, as it neared the inception of the fourth and final series just three years later in 1980.
Cased by Wenger in yellow gold, the model features robust and shorter lugs, as well as a 37.5mm diameter with the key number one on the inside of the case back. Like other third series models, the silvered dial features a simplified look with no tachymeter and baton hour marker indexes.
It is thought that around 170 examples of the 2499 were third series models, with just under 100 of them having appeared at auction. Despite most of them cased in yellow gold, this particular piece remains a highly collectable example of a truly important Patek Philippe reference.
$492,000 For a Rare Patek Diamond Set Nautilus Ref 5711/1300A
Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1300A
Sotheby’s
Lot 56 wasn’t far behind either. Reference 5711 has always been a favourite for Patek collectors, yet there has been a huge number of different variations across the 15 or so years of its production. Whilst the hierarchy of these models is somewhat subjective, some are hands down superior to others.
The present ref. 5711 goes by the suffix /1300A, indicating that it constructed from stainless steel, and boasts a dial in the most perfect olive tone. Furthermore we see a total of 32 baguette-cut diamonds adorning the bezel, which may seem unusual on a stainless steel watch. However, despite its ordinary nature we all know that Patek uses steel for very special occasions as well.
The 1300A was released in 2021 as a final send off for the ref. 5711, and was produced for one year to mark the end of an era for a truly iconic and important watch in the history of Patek. This particular one was also part of Stallone’s collection.
$408,000 For a Unique Voutilainen Decimal Minute Repeater
Voutilainen Unique Decimal Minute Repeater
Sotheby’s
Despite lot 66 being our only non Patek in this article, its importance remains known. Watches produced by Finnish Kari Voutilainen are some of the most sought after independent pieces on the market. Known for his excellently finished in house cases, dials and movements, the present Voutilainen is no exception.
Dated 2013, this minute repeating wristwatch is completely unique and takes inspiration from Breguet’s history of decimal minute repeaters. Unlike a regular repeater which chimes the hours followed by the quarters and minutes, a decimal repeater replaces the quarter chimes with 10 minute intervals instead. The movement was designed from the ground up and placed in a 39.5mm Vingt-8 white gold case. The dial is a guilloché which features a power reserve indicator and Breguet hands.
$408,000 For a Vintage Pink on Pink Patek Split Seconds Chronograph Ref. 1436
Patek Philippe Split Seconds Chronograph Ref. 1436
Sotheby’s
Lot 102 is a superb example of a vintage Patek Philippe Chronograph, which are some of the most sought after pieces for high end collectors. Reference 1436 is truly important being the first ever serially produced split seconds chronograph from Patek Philippe. Cased at 33mm in diameter it certainly isn’t large, but instead echoes the style and essence of the era in which it was produced back in 1942.
Only 140 examples of the reference 1436 are thought to exist, with just nine of them cased in pink gold. Unlike today, pink gold was an uncommon material 70 years ago and was dwarfed by the classic yellow gold. Of these nine pink gold cased 1436’s, a tiny amount are in the pink on pink configuration of the present lot, featuring the pink gold case and dial. The dial also features the correct and long PATEK PHILIPPE & CO GENÈVE signature for models produced before 1948.
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