Christie’s Exclusive: Haute Time’s Highlights From the Upcoming Geneva Important Watches Auction

This week Haute Time had the chance to visit Christie’s headquarters at New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza. We sat down with Reginald Brack, the luxury auction house’s Vice President and Director of Private Sales – Watches.

Brack, who has many years of experience as an auction consultant and curator of world-class private collections, was the perfect guide to show us pieces from Christie’s upcoming Important Watches. The auction will take place in Geneva, Switzerland on May 12, but we’ve got an exclusive sneak peek with photos of our favorite highlights!

Patek Philippe Reference 5002 Sky Moon Tourbillon (Lot 48)
This Sky Moon Tourbillon is housed in a 44mm 18K gold case and features a double-dial. It boasts 12 complications, including a minute repeater, tourbillon, perpetual calendar, retrograde date, moon age, sidereal time, sky chart and moon orbit display. Manufactured in 2001, it is the most complicated wristwatch ever produced by Patek Philippe since the manufacture was founded in 1839. It is estimated to fetch between $854,806 – $1,367,689.

Patek Philippe Reference 1463 ‘Caran d’Ache’ (Lot 181)
This 34.5mm Ref. 1463 stainless steel chronograph wristwatch was manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1942, and based on the date of its sale in 1945, it is assumed that its first owner was Arnold Schweizer, founder of Caran d’Ache, the famous Swiss manufacturer of high quality writing instruments. It is signed Patek Philippe & Co. and is accompanied by the original Patek Philippe letter dated June 15, 1995 confirming that the present watch bearing movement no. 863’089 was sold to “Mr. Caran d’Ache”. It is estimated to fetch between $205,153 – $341,922.

Patek Philippe Reference 570 (Lot 50)
This 36.2mm Patek Philippe Ref. 570 was manufactured in 1950. Fresh to the market, this Calatrava is believed to be one of only three examples of reference 570 in stainless steel with this particular dial layout to appear in public to date. It is estimated to fetch between $34,192 – $56,987.

A. Lange & Söhne Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” (Lot 392)
This 38.5mm white gold one minute tourbillon wristwatch with chain fusée was manufactured by A. Lange & Söhne in 1998. Number 101 of a limited edition of 150 pieces of the Tourbillon “Pour le Mérite” model in gold, and according to Christie’s it is the only one with a special black silver dial and white rhodium-plated dagger numerals. It was purchased by its present owner, one of A. Lange & Söhne’s loyal clients, in 1998. It is estimated to fetch between $170,961 – $284,935.

Patek Philippe Reference 3450/4 (Lot 439)
This Patek Philippe Ref. 3450/4 automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch is housed in a 38mm 18K gold case. According to Christie’s, it is one of only four examples of the celebrated reference 3450 with an integral bracelet (and consequently no lugs) to appear in public to date. Furthermore, it’s the only one with this particular bracelet texture and this exact reference number. Functions include moon phases and Roman leap year indicator. Manufactured in 1983, it is accompanied by its original certificate and is signed Patek Philippe. It is estimated to fetch between $170,961 – $284,935.

Audemars Piguet for Vacheron Constantin (Lot 230)
This rare 18K gold pocket watch was made by Audemars Piguet for Vacheron Constantin. The white enamel dial features hours, minutes and split seconds, as well as four subdials: the month, leap year indicator and a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, the date at 3 o’clock, constant seconds and moon phase at 6 o’clock, and the day at 9 o’clock. It was manufactured in 1894 and is signed Vacheron & Constantin. It is estimated to fetch between $56,000 – $89,000.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on these pieces when they go under the gavel! Haute Time will also be bringing you an exclusive look at Christie’s upcoming New York Important Watches auction in the weeks to come!

Photo credit: Haute Time.