Topline
A set of greater than 128 modern Patek Philippe watches acquired by a single collector are anticipated to usher in greater than $15 million when they’re bought over the following few months, based on Christie’s, which known as the items the “most interesting assortment of Patek Philippe modern timepieces ever to look at public sale.”
Key Details
The primary 30 watches will go to public sale in Geneva on Might 9, together with a Ref. 5959R-001 Cut up-Seconds Chronograph in rose gold with black dial and a Ref. 5074R-001 Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in the identical coloration scheme.
Christie’s Hong Kong will current one other 30 watches on Might 24, together with uncommon items like a platinum Ref. 5951P-012 Perpetual Calendar Cut up-Seconds Chronograph and a rose gold Minute Repeater Ref. 5078R-001.
The final 68 items will hit the public sale block in New York on June 8, together with a number of watches with double-signed dials by Patek Philippe and Tiffany & Co., based on Christie’s.
The vendor—who selected to stay nameless—has collected watches for greater than 35 years, based on Christie’s, and possessed the “means to amass the rarest of things.”
The watches have been dubbed the “Kairos” assortment, utilizing the traditional Greek phrase to seek advice from opportune or crucial timing.
Key Background
Excessive-end luxurious watch gross sales are on the rise after being battered by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Final yr, the highest three watch public sale homes—Phillips, Christie’s and Sotheby’s—all recorded report turnovers for timepieces. Phillips had probably the most profitable yr within the historical past of watch auctions with $209.3 million in gross sales, whereas Sotheby’s and Christie’s each had their finest years ever, promoting $205 million and $148 million, respectively. All three made extra in gross sales than in 2019, earlier than the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Huge Quantity
$31 million. That’s how a lot the most costly Patek Philippe watch to ever promote at public sale fetched in 2019 in Geneva. The one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A was additionally the most costly watch ever bought, and the proceeds went to a charity that helps analysis into Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative muscle illness that largely impacts boys in early childhood.
Additional Studying
Phillips, Sotheby’s And Christie’s Clock A Mixed $562-Million In Watch Gross sales In 2021, A Report 12 months (Forbes)
Meet The World’s Most Costly Watch: $31 Million Patek Philippe Units World Report At Solely Watch Public sale (Forbes)