The geneva auction season will open its doors like previous years and it will be again a great event for worlwide watch collectors. Upon these circumstances, we are happy to present you a new series of topics on the AW Blog « The collector’s eye » where we selected some intriguing pieces that will attract your collector’s eye like mine as well. This series of auction in Geneva will surely be of great interest to you !
LOT 59
AW Blog takes you first to Sotheby’s with a rare Rolex edition on the collection of antique watches from its founder Hans Wilsdorf, lot 59 of the auction to take place on May 14th. This rare book called Montres et Emaux de Genève is signed on one of the first pages with a hand written note from Hans Wilsdorf himself. Please note that you will find in this book the pair to the Mandolin green enamel with music and automatons presented at Antiquorum this week end in Geneva. Dated 1944, its estimate range is 1000 to 2000$.
LOT 46
Following our exploration into the world of curiosities, the Phillips auction, once again showing a great selection, hides a real gem in this Tudor with a prototype dial. This rare piece will be presented under lot 46 and might well be the next world record if we look back to the last Tudor that fetched an incredible result at Only Watch in 2015. This is a rare reference 7032/0 but most of all its prototype unique dial with such particular combination gives it an amazing appeal just like the Rolex cosmograph « Yachting ».
LOT 282
Now let’s have a close look at Christie’s auction and most particularly on lot 282, which demonstrates how crucial it is today to have all accessories for vintage wristwatches. This is really a great example of the Rolex Daytona « Khanjar » offered by the Sultan of Oman himself. This Daytona ref. 6263 would not be the same for the collector’s eye if did not have its original price tag, warranty, leaflets, as well as its presentation box, original pictures, custum duties paperwork from the UK, and finally copy of the original diary dated 28th March 1974 from the original owner. With an estimate range of 320 000 $ to 420 000 $, we can hope that a keen collector’s eye will make the best offer !
LOT 350
On the finish line of this last selection, we found especially for you the lot 350 at Antiquorum. It reminds me of a very specific watch which I had the privilege to sell at Sotheby’s on May 15th 2011 for 122 500 $ which also had the same reference 16528 with an error on the dial on the number 15 stamped instead 13, the so called « Daytona 13 » with a confirmation letter from Rolex CEO at the time, circa 1989. This time again, this example has a mistake on the dial with the number 35 instead of 30 which explains its new and great nickname « Lucky 35 ». This shows us again that nobody’s perfect, even Rolex which made as a trademark perfection and excellence, it gives us hope, watches are made by human beings. The lucky number might be the new record price for this reference, a unique occasion is waiting for strong bidders between 55 000 and 75 000 $ !
We are happy to explore with you new collectors trend through a new angle, hoping you will find as well in this new topic the best way to complete « The expert’s eye » and «The market’s eye ».
Thanks to all of you for your great support and advice, especially to an old friend of mine, “JD” who inspired this new section while having lunch together at Artcurial Caffe.
AW Blog wishes you a great auction week-end !
Geoffroy Ader