Record price for Patek Philippe Le Tour du Monde de MagellanWorld record achieved at Antiquorum Auction in Geneva
Geneva - Antiquorum’s weekend sale of “Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clocks and Horological Tools”, held at the Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva, concluded with an exceptional result of CHF 7’022’000. Of the 466 lots offered at auction, 83% were sold representing 110% by value. The auction enjoyed lively telephone and Internet bidding in addition to room bidding that came from across the globe including the United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Italy, China and Switzerland.
A world-record was achieved for a unique Patek Philippe enamel dome clock “Le Tour du Monde de Magellan” Ref. 797 E (lot 231) which sold to an Asian collector for an impressive CHF 174’000 after very intense bidding over the phone.
“We are thrilled by the excellent results obtained today for our first auction of the season in Geneva”, said William Rohr, COO & Managing Director, “We are especially pleased with the world record achieved for the unique clock from Patek Philippe, «Le Tour du Monde de Magellan» which raised a lot of enthusiasm among the collectors”.
Very sought-after Patek Philippe references obtained outstanding prices, starting with the Ref. 1518, 1st series in pink gold (lot 438) that sold for CHF 420’000, followed by the Ref. 5004P (lot 230) in platinum, which achieved CHF 246’000 and the Ref. 5004R (lot 466) in pink gold selling for CHF 222’000. Another highly collectible Patek Philippe, the Ref. 5050 P (lot 461) in platinum went to an American for CHF 124’800 after aggressive bidding over the phone. Finally, the Ref. 3970 EG, considered a true classic by collectors, attained notable prices with the version in white gold (lot 228) selling for CHF 103’200 while the version in pink gold (lot 464) went for CHF 98’400 and the yellow gold model was acquired for CHF 91’200.
Very rare pocket watches raised a lot of interest, especially within the Asian region with the Zenith Carillon Grande Sonnerie and Minute-Repeating Clockwatch (lot 183) that reached an impressive CHF 48’000 and the Louis Audemars King Umberto I of Italy Presentation (lot 85) that sold for CHF 40’800.
It is further interesting to notice that the biggest growing segment of watch collectors in the world is now China a growing force that will have to be reckoned with within the watch auction world» commented Julien Schaerer, Watch Director & Auctioneer.
The Rolex diving watches also did very well, with the Rolex Ref. 5514, COMEX No.826, Maxi Dial (lot 207) reaching CHF 91’200, while the Ref. 1680, Best COMEX Diver 1977, awarded to Jean-Marc Dutriaux sold for CHF 56’400.
Finally, a selection of modern tourbillon watches attained notable results, such as the Jacob & Co “Crystal Tourbillon, Limited Edition”, no.17/18 (lot 285) that sold for an impressive CHF 420’000 and the Jacob & Co "Napoleon Quadra", No. 06/18 - titanium watch with four tourbillons – (lot 173) that reached CHF 312’000. Other exceptional tourbillon watches include the Audemars Piguet "Millenary - Maserati Anniversary – MC12 Tourbillon and Chronograph”, No. 024/150 (lot 403) acquired for CHF 156’000 and the Louis Moinet Vertalis Tourbillon - Piece Unique No. 01/01 (lot 68) that went for CHF 108’000.
“The strong results reached by modern tourbillon wristwatches today confirm the renewed of collectors for highly complicated timepieces” said Etienne Leménager, Director & Watch Expert.