Over the weekend, Sotheby's held its bi-annual Important Watches Sale and the Treasures of Time auction in Geneva. Both auctions raised a combined total of 20,135,400 CHF (approximately $22.9 million USD), setting the best result for the auction house in a decade. Additionally, Sotheby's also set four world records with two Patek Philippe watches, a Cartier Tank, and a Rolex Coin watch.
Naibenta sa halagang 3.36 milyon CHF (humigit-kumulang $3.82 milyon USD), ang natatanging Patek Philippe Ref. 1563 na ito ay ngayon ang pinakamahal na bersyon ng modelong naibenta sa isang auction. Tinagurian ng Sotheby’s bilang “ang sukdulan ng pagiging bihira,” dahil mayroon lamang dalawa pang kilalang variant. Nakabalot sa 18k dilaw na ginto na may silvered na dial, split-second chronograph, at mga luminous na Breguet numerals, tampok din ng orasang ito ang isang inukit na likod ng case na nagpapakita ng kasaysayan ng mga nagdaang nagmay-ari nito.
Also setting a record was a Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 with a black dial, where this Third Series wristwatch sold for 2.28 million CHF ($2.59 million USD). Housed in a yellow gold case, it is a perpetual calendar chronograph with moonphases and a lacquered dial. It is also the only known third-series 2499J yellow gold example with a black dial, making it rare to collect and in high demand.
A yellow gold Cartier London Tank Oblique from the ’70s sold for 168,000 CHF (approximately $19,150 USD), well below its initial estimate of 30,000 – 60,000 CHF ($34,196 – $68,393 USD). Meanwhile, the Rolex Coin watch “50 Pesos” with reference number 3612 sold for 84,000 CHF (approximately $95,750 USD). A rare, limited and truly unique model, this timepiece is shaped like an 1821-1947 50 peso gold coin that opens to reveal a Cellini dial with matching gilt.
