01.11.2022 - Investment

Coveted timepieces up for grabs in live Christie’s auction 

Been waiting patiently to get hold of a certain rare treasure?

Now might be your chance as Christie’s Watches is back with some incredible offerings at its live auction from Geneva.

Organisers say that ‘Legendary and Unique Watches’, held at Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues on November 6, will be the most significant single owner collection auction ever held in Switzerland.

With 112 creations up for grabs including 1 of 1 pieces, personalised dials and limited editions, it’s a dream opportunity for collectors everywhere.

And not one of these coveted timepieces has been up for auction before…

What is going under the hammer?

The collection is currently on a tour of the world, calling in for previews in New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, London, Jakarta, Los Angeles and finally lands in Geneva this week.

On offer are some early models from independent watchmakers including some beautiful Patek Philippe references, amongst others.

The auction is expected to fetch more than £17 million. 

Richard Mille (limited edition) reference RM56-01

This stunning timepiece is the first of its kind to be offered at an international auction and we’re sure it will get snapped up.

The case alone took 40 x 24-hour days to create (and 350 hours to polish) as it is crafted from Sapphire Crystal which is incredibly difficult to machine. But what would you expect from Richard MiIle?

The tourbillon is in its element here within a transparent dial with titanium minute ring and luminous hour indexes.  A push-button in the crown allows for winding, neutral or hands, and are displayed by a small indicator at 4 o’clock.

The RM56-01 calibre, made from sapphire crystal and titanium, is immune to temperature variations and wear, ensures excellent stability and offers exemplary chronometric performance.

Rolex Daytona – Paul Newman champagne dial – reference 6241

An exceptional 18K gold Daytona with a champagne ‘Paul Newman’ dial  is also going under the gavel and will be expected to fetch up to £871,000.

This particular dial and bracelet is a rare chronograph only produced between 1966 and 1969, with only300 ever made in 18k gold.

The Rolex timepiece is fitted with non-screw-down chronograph buttons and a bezel with a black plastic insert and the tachymeter scale printed in white.

 Vacheron Constantin – Mercator – reference 43050

A platinum automatic wristwatch with “Ferrari Enzo” cloisonné enamel dial is also on offer.

First released in 1994 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the passing of the 16th century cartographer Gerardus Mercator, Vacheron Constantin’s distinctive “Mercator” was a revelation.

The watch could display time via a double retrograde mechanism with hands in the form of a cartographer’s proportional divider.

Fitted with a special 21K skeletonized gold rotor, the movement is just as unique.

The auction starts at 5pm on November 6.

Need help to find your dream watch?

If you’d like us to source your favourite watch, we do love a challenge. Give our buying team a call on 0203 397 1596 and we will see if we can help!