Phillips Geneva Watch Auction XI: Get Ready For Owning A Bit Of Biver

Jean-Claude Biver gave us very recently an insight into his private collection of watches. A unique experience, as the man who resurrected Blancpain and turned Hublot into a watchmaking powerhouse, is known for his exquisite taste. Now serving as non-executive President of the LVMH Group Watch Division, he is as retired as he will ever be and able to dedicating part of his time to sharing his passion for watchmaking as a whole. In collaboration with auctioneer Phillips, he is now selling four pieces from his private collection, allowing you to own a bit of Biver.

As could be expected, the watches are all of impeccable quality, combining rarity with a superb condition. What makes the event even more exciting is that collectors and connoisseurs not only have the opportunity of obtaining a watch that was personally curated by one of the biggest names in watchmaking, but they are also of the kind that rarely comes up for auction.

All four watches represent the best of Patek Philippe, the first being a Reference 96HU, a pre-production prototype of the first world time watch of the brand. As this complication would play an important role in the history of the brand, this watch is all the more desirable. It is matched in rarity by the Reference 1579 that Biver is also selling. This chronograph is only one of three watches from this reference that features a platinum case. As all these three watches have different dials, each one is, in essence, a piece unique.

The two other watches are also landmark creations by Patek Philippe. The first is a Reference 1518 from 1948. This model is particularly important because it was the very first perpetual calendar fitted with a chronograph that was ever produced in series. Given its time of production, not many where made, and the vast majority got a yellow gold case. Pink gold is far more rare,  especially in combination with a pink dial, of which only 13 pieces are recorded. What makes this watch even more special is that Jean-Claude Biver only the second owner from new. Also on auction is a Reference 2499, the successor of the Reference 1518. This watch is of the second series, featuring the very rare combination of a yellow gold case with a dial with applied batons. Only 20 of these watches are known to exist, making it another timepiece that rarely comes up for auction, let alone one owned by one of the most prominent figures in watchmaking.

The four watches from the collection of Jean-Claude Biver will be offered for sale at The Geneva Watch Auction: XI, which is held by Phillips in May 2020 at Hôtel la Reserve, Geneva.