Current auctions in Geneva concluded with a relative bang. Eye-watering outcomes occurred for some really uncommon items. For a lot of watches, although, the gross sales have been strong however not awe-inspiring. I’ll kick off right now’s article with my ideas in the marketplace, after which we’ll take a look at a number of tons.
My colleague Lex lately penned an article concerning the present gross sales hunch the worldwide watch market is going through. Specifically, he means the marketplace for new watches. The buying and selling flooring promoting uncommon pre-owned and classic watches, nevertheless, is barely busier. Current auctions present that there’s vibrant curiosity in really uncommon and particular items, however there’s nonetheless a special feeling for my part.
Picture: Phillips
A quieter roar
Throughout the previous decade, we’ve witnessed unprecedented outcomes at watch auctions. Moreover, there’s extra mainstream protection of the occasions when a well-known watch is ready to cross the block. In post-pandemic instances, although, the auctions really feel totally different. Sturdy outcomes are now not a “lay-up,” and I usually really feel {that a} important quantity of nice watches are being held again till general curiosity improves. Heck, perhaps my tastes have modified (or others’ tastes have), however I usually battle to discover a single lot that leaves me chomping on the bit. Like I stated, although, the outcomes are first rate, and even when the times of persistently blowing by way of the reserves are over, good watches are nonetheless in demand.
Picture: Phillips
Phillips — The Geneva Watch Public sale: XX
Phillips at all times hosts auctions with probably the most hype and, sometimes, the costliest tons. Let’s begin with Lot 122, the F.P.Journe Tourbillon Souverain. This watch bought for CHF 1,041,400, which is a improbable outcome for a model that had some quiet outcomes over the previous yr. After all, this watch is reportedly considered one of six made with a shiny pink gold dial. That apparently made the distinction regardless of the beautiful tourbillon with a remontoire.
Picture: Phillips
Lot 111 — Patek Philippe 2499/100
From the “I want Patek nonetheless made watches like this” division was a new-old-stock 2499/100 from 1980. Lot 111 had an estimate of CHF 500,000–1,000,000 and hammered for CHF 876,300. This 37.5mm yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph hasn’t been in the marketplace since 2015. It’s a part of the final collection ever made and is actually a museum piece. I’d need to put on it, although.
Picture: Phillips
Lot 115 — Rolex Daytona 6264 “Paul Newman Lemon”
Lot 115 was a beautiful Daytona 6264 “Paul Newman Lemon.” The Phillips description calls out lower than a dozen identified examples of those watches. That reality, the situation of the watch, and the papers helped propel it to a report gross sales worth of CHF 2,480,000. The marketplace for classic Rolex Daytonas has been painfully gradual for the final a number of years. I don’t suppose this watch indicators the operating of the bulls fairly but at watch auctions, however I believe that good Daytonas will begin to awaken them.
Picture: Antiquorum
Antiquorum — Geneva, November ninth–tenth
I really like sifting by way of Antiquorum auctions. There’s a little bit of the whole lot in a single, and so long as you’re snug taking a bet, there are offers to be discovered. The primary watch that made my checklist was Lot 194, an exquisite Audemars Piguet 5007 ST supposedly designed by Gérald Genta. This 35mm stainless magnificence from 1953 incorporates the legendary VZSSC hand-winding caliber. It additionally stands up effectively towards the 570 Calatrava from Patek Philippe. The watch bought for CHF 25,000, which was under the CHF 30,000–50,000 expectations. That looks like a deal to me.
Picture: Antiquorum
Lot 268 — Longines pocket watch
Pocket watches are quietly scorching proper now. Classic items will seemingly by no means be on the quilt of any public sale home’s catalog, however collectors are now not resistant to the immense worth inside these anachronistic relics. Lot 268 was a black-dialed Longines pocket watch from 1941 with a 37.9 ABC caliber. I personal a number of silver-dialed fashions, and the craftsmanship is gorgeous. This piece hammered for CHF 1,400, which is a comparatively robust outcome. Not way back, this piece would seemingly have bought for lower than a grand. Pocket watches is probably not sensible, however they’re wildly cool.
Picture: Christie’s
Christie’s — Geneva, November eleventh
Weirdly, Lot 9 at Christie’s acquired little or no consideration. The millionth MoonSwatch produced was a blue Mission to Neptune with a Moonshine Gold-plated central chronograph hand. It was made in 2022, which tells us how profitable these have been for Swatch and Omega. The estimate on this lot was a chuckle-worthy CHF 500–1,000. The outcome was CHF 69,300. Wow!
Picture: Christie’s
Lot 139 — Cartier Tank Normale
The ultimate piece I loved from the Geneva auctions was Lot 139 at Christie’s. It’s no secret that I’ve a crush on the Cartier Tank Normale, however the watch in Geneva was particular. It was from 1931, making it a uncommon early mannequin. The piece had a top-end estimate of CHF 30,000 and bought for CHF 37,800. That’s not a Crash-esque shattering of the public sale world, but it surely exhibits that Cartier continues to be doing effectively with collectors.
Picture: Phillips
Last ideas on the Geneva auctions
Massive tons at Phillips made information earlier in November, however as I discussed, most of the tons I checked out bought in the course of the estimate vary. That’s higher than seeing handed tons, and there have been nonetheless some good surprises. For those who adopted the auctions, have been there any tons that caught your eye?
