Antique Rolex Prince watches

As per usual, several Patek Philippe timepieces drew some of the most interest and highest bids. The notables included a Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 (lot 612), a rare perpetual calendar chronograph watch from the model’s First Series, made in 1951, which was bought for CHF 266, 500 (including buyer’s premium), and a Ref. 2499 perpetual calendar chronograph (lot 511), which sold for CHF 290, 500 (including buyer’s premium).

Perhaps the most historically important Patek in the auction was an extremely rare Ref. 1463 (lot 582), with a steel case, round-button chronograph and the only asthmometer dial known to exist, which was created, and once owned, by a famous Patek Philippe watchmaker, Jacques Golay. The un-numbered case and unusual dial indicate that the watch was finished by Golay for himself rather than for commercial sale. After some intense bidding, it sold to an Asian collector for CHF 194, 500 (including buyer’s premium), more than 50% its pre-sale estimate. The second-selling lot, after the Rolex Single Red Submariner, was a rare Royal Presentation Musical Fan with a concealed watch from Piguet & Capt (lot 189). Originally a gift from Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to Vicomte de Morais, it fetched CHF 386, 500 (including buyer’s premium).

A while ago on our WatchTime blog, we previewed the extremely rare Patek Philippe Ref. 2499/100, from the personal collection of legendary guitarist Eric Clapton, which was to go on the block at Christie’s “Autumn Sale of Important Watches, ” held on November 12 in Geneva. The watch, a perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases in a platinum case, manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1987, did not disappoint, fetching an astounding $3, 635, 808, a new world record price for this reference at auction.