ANTIQUORUM NOVEMBER 8 th,

GENEVA AUCTION RESULTS

The Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces Geneva auction achieved more than CHF 7 Million with 85% of lots sold (CHF 7,012,445 incl. buyer’s premium).

GENEVA (November 11 th, 2020) – Last Sunday, November 8th, Antiquorum auction was held in closed-doors following the rigorous sanitary cautiousness instructions.

The world’s premier auctioneers of modern and vintage timepieces, established in Geneva in 1974 broadcasted the auction online and registered well above a thousand bidders worldwide equally divided: 25% North America, 25% Europe, 25% Middle East and 25% Asia.

After an intense 11 hours and 45 minutes of auction Antiquorum yield more than CHF 7 Million, a remarkable global result with 85% of lots sold and some memorable individual bidding performances as detailed below.

“As the CEO of Antiquorum in a year full on instability and surprises, it has been challenging to adapt our business model which requires a lot of personal contact and intense travelling “not quite a social distancing business model”. I am therefore immensely proud of the accomplishment of our team in succeeding to organize and offer this November 8th, a splendid auction in Geneva with a remarkably rich timepieces selection. Antiquorum digital evolution started this March 2020 by being the first international auction house to broadcast online. Since then, we have been able to launch the “Virtual Valuation Days” with our internationally based experts virtually meeting with clients and analyzing pieces 24h/7 throughout the world.” said Romain Rea, Antiquorum CEO.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS

Highly expected before the auction, LOT 59 – Omega Ref. 166.077 Seamaster Ploprof Prototype achied a record price beyond 11 times its low estimate. The historically important and extremely rare self-winding staintless steel prototype diver’s wristwatch was directly consigned from the family of Mr Bonnici. A lucky bidder grasped the almost unique opportunity to acquire a prototype Ploprof from the best provenance one could ever wish for.

The current “PROTOTYPE” Ploprof, as per its caseback engraving, is part of the initial series given to members of the Cousteau team to be tested during their dives. Omega archives, testifies that all these prototypes carries a batch number. In this case these Seamaster 600 prototypes were part of batch 4, and then followed by the watch issue number starting at 100, making this example inscribed 4-100, the first one ever made in this batch. Rarities, the watch came with its Omega Life book inscribed: Life Book, Ploprof No. 4-100, Serie 0, which gives instructions on how to use the watch and has a dive log book at the back that details each dive with comments on issues, defects to report back to Omega (some comments read: “ hard to read at -100m, bracelet breaking before dive, hard to use the crown under water, until its last entry on February 10, 1972 where it is commented movement no longer running”). Fitted with anearly dial featuring the word Professional above Seamaster 600 and a graining on the case, typical of the very early versions as well as the large lume hour hand, it has all the characteristics just like the day it was delivered in July 1971.

Estimation CHF 20’000 – 40’000
Sold for : CHF 131’250

After the World-Record set by Antiquorum earlier this year, with a Rolex Ref. 1680 Submariner, COMEX from 1979 sold CHF 524’000 incl. premium’s buyer, LOT 374 – Rolex Ref. 5514 Submariner COMEX from 1976 in stainless steel was under the spotlights and did not disappoint with a hammered price well above the high estimation.

The reference 5514 is the only one created by Rolex for COMEX exclusively (COMEX stands for Compagnie Maritime d’EXpertise). Indeed, the other COMEX references are modifications of other original Rolex pieces. This is one of the reason why, the submarine 5514 has now overtaken other COMEX references as the most sought-after.

Estimation CHF 100’000 – 150’000
Sold for : CHF 187’500

Through the 11hours and 45mintutes of the auction, LOT 359 did not go unnoticed and for good cause Isaac Daniel Piguet, Geneve THE LESSON from 1800 is an extremely fine and rare, large, 18K gold and painted on enamel, musical watch with concealed erotic automaton scene, activated with the music on demand by pressing the pendant.

Estimation CHF 10’000 – 20’000
Sold for : CHF 100’000

Every auction in greater demand, Audemars Piguet attractiveness was once again illustrated in particular by LOT 118 and LOT 405.

LOT 405– Audemars Piguet Ref. 5402 Jumbo Royal Oak, B series in 18K yellow gold

Debuted in 1972, designed by the iconic Gérald Genta, it was first produced in four series marked A, B, C and D, each with changes to the movement or the bracelet. The B-Series was limited to 1000 pieces and features the original caliber 2121 produced by JaegerLeCoultre. Sold in June 1974 this 18k yellow gold wristwatch B12789 Serial N°040 with its gray “litte tapestry” pattern dial in exceptionally good condition is highly appealing for collectors considering that on top of what has already been mentioned above, the gold version of this reference is rarest than steel models. – interesting fact: the folding buckle is also in 18K yellow gold.

Estimation CHF 60’000 – 120’000
Sold for : CHF 150’000

LOT 118 Audemars Piguet, Ref. 25554st, Royal Oak, Perpetual Calendar, Steel, 40mm diameter, from 1985, Case number D1490/ No. 041, beat much further its conservative estimate due to the original non-matching parts assembled by the Swiss watchmaker owner.

Estimation CHF 15’000 – 25’000
Sold for : CHF 143’750

Rare occurence at an auction, collectors were thrilled to have access to two gorgeous Tudor Ref. 9411 Submariner Snowflake in New Old Stock condition with original boxes and warranties: LOT 492 & 493.

Estimation CHF 10’000 – 15’000
Sold for : CHF 27’500

The auctioneer also presented an interesting selection of Rolex with rare and colorful dials realizing interesting results as per below:

LOT 490 Rolex Ref. 1601 Datejust in 18k yellow gold wristwatch ,from 1976, with tiger-eye dial.

Estimation CHF 10’000 – 15’000 Sold for : CHF 42’500

LOT 544 Rolex, Ref. 1802, Day-Date, «Octopussy» in 18K White Gold, blue dial with double diamond indexes, from 1960.

Estimation CHF 50’000 – 70’000 Sold for : CHF 61’250

LOT 546 Rolex, Ref, 18208 Day-Date, in 18K yellow gold and a coral dial, with its original box and warranty, sold in September 1996.

Estimation CHF 100’000 – 150’000 Sold for : CHF 118’750

LOT 195 Rolex, Ref. 6098, Oyster Perpetual, in Stainless Steel with a honeycomb Star Dial, from 1952.

Estimation CHF 30’000 – 50’000 Sold for : CHF 68’750

LOT 295 – Rolex Ref. 6264 Cosmograph Paul Newman Daytona in stainless steel

Estimation CHF 120’000 – 220’000

Sold for : CHF 262’500

One of the rarest Cosmograph models, reference 6264 was produced for a few years only in the early 1970s. It is understood that only some 1,700 examples in stainless steel were ever made of reference 6264. Along with the rarity of the model, the present watch is also eye catching due to the “Paul Newman PANDA” dial (watch nicknamed “Paul Newman” Daytonas in the 80’s after a picture of the famous actor wearing the watch was found).

Together with reference 6262, it was the last Rolex chronograph watch to be fitted with pump pushers but its caliber 727 boasts a higher frequency beat improving its precision.

Never offer on the market before, this watch was purchased new at Grassy retailer in Madrid by the father of the current owner for his 16th birthday. Still fitted on its original bracelet, the watch was worn regularly but has been kept in great condition with no service marks inside the caseback and more importantly its dial has been kept in near mint condition, making this rare reference always a collector’s item.

LOT 555 – Rolex, Ref. 6239, Gold Daytona, Cream «Paul Newman» Dial in 18K yellow gold

Extremely fine and rare theRef.6239 in 18K yellow gold has been made in approximately 300 pieces, that makes it one of the rarest yellow gold Daytona chronograph. Antiquorum experts estimate that only 10 percent of these were equipped with the exotic “so called” Paul Newman dial. To unearth such a well-preserved piece from 1968 with its full set and all the service history was a tough challenged awarded last Sunday by a notable result CHF 350’000.

Estimation CHF 300’000 – 500’000

Sold for : CHF 350’000

ABOUT ANTIQUORUM

Antiquorum, The World’s Premier Auctioneers of Modern and Vintage Timepieces, established in Geneva in 1974, Antiquorum has carved its own unparalleled niche in the auction world by cultivating a thriving collector’s market for timepieces worldwide and consistently obtains the highest prices for timepieces, auctions timepieces with exceptional provenance and rarity and has set many world records. Resolutely avant-garde, Antiquorum was the first auction house to offer full online service with the possibility to place absentee bids or register to bid in real time during the auction. Antiquorum holds auctions in Geneva, Hong Kong and Monaco with previews held in major cities worldwide. With its internationally recognized staff of watch experts providing unsurpassed expertise and services and its dedicated pursuit of innovative auction methods, Antiquorum continues, more than ever before, to make history in time.

For more information, please visit https://www.antiquorum.swiss