Rolex Sports watches continue to generate strongPatek Philippe and Rolex highlight Antiquorum's September Sale
Antiquorum's September auction of Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces totaled 2,792,050 US-Dollar. The auction of 319 collectible timepieces attracted 353 registered internet and phone bidders from around the world. International bidding came from countries such as Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, the Russian Federation, the Netherlands, Canada and the United States. Strong prices were achieved resulting in 78% sold by lot and 119 % sold by value.
The top lot of the sale was the Patek Philippe ref. 2499 [lot 319] which was acquired for 374,500 US-Dollar after several minutes of intense competition between phone, internet and room bidders. Many other complicated Patek Philippe timepieces attained important results; the Patek Philippe ref. 1436 [lot 318], a unique split-second chronograph with transitional dial retailed by Tiffany, sold for 284,500 US-Dollar while the Patek Philippe ref. 3971 [lot 109] obtained 116,500 US-Dollar. The Patek Philippe ref. 5038 [lot 108], a limited edition white gold perpetual calendar, sold for 56,250 US-Dollar.
The outcome for our September auction confirms that Rolex Sports watches continue to generate strong interest among collectors throughout the world," said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO, Antiquorum. " In today's sale we were particularly impressed by the outstanding prices obtained for the Rolex James Bond Big Crown and the Gold Rolex Daytona ref. 6241 retailed by Tiffany." Popular modern and vintage Rolex watches achieved important results as confirmed by the two examples of the Rolex Ref. 6241 offered in the sale; the 18K yellow gold Paul Newman [lot 44] and the 14K yellow gold Daytona retailed by Tiffany & Co. [lot 45]; both realized an impressive 110,500 US-Dollar. Collectors continue to seek out excellent models of vintage Rolex watches complete with box and papers as evidenced by the Rolex ref. 6538 [lot 230], a "James Bond" Big Crown with gilt dial, which sold for 76,900 US-Dollar; the Rolex Ref. 1019 [lot 228] which obtained 45,000 US-Dollar; and the Rolex. Ref. 1655 [lot 31] which fetched 21,875 US-Dollar.
Perhaps in anticipation of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Anniversary in 2012, all Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches achieved notable results, with particularly aggressive bidding for unusual examples such as the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar with anthracite dial [lot 103] which attained 31,250 US-Dollar and the limited edition "City of Sails" [lot 106] which sold for 46,250 US-Dollar.
The Panerai brand remains popular; all models in the sale sold for above their high estimate. This was the case for the Panerai "Mare Nostrum - Slytech" [lot 257] which was offered at 10,000 - 15,000 US-Dollar and ultimately sold for 25,000 US-Dollar.
Finally, the Tudor Monte-Carlo chronograph from the 1970's realized a significant price in the sale. With the re-introduction of the Heritage model in 2009, the demand for original examples has greatly increased; the Tudor ref. 7159 "Monte Carlo" [lot 233] attained 17,500 US-Dollar.