From Rare Rolexes to a Unique Richard Mille, Antiquorum’s Monaco Watch Auction Is Bringing the Heat
Watch collectors, warn your accountants.
Antiquorum is taking over the Monaco Yacht Club next week to auction $25 million worth of luxury watches, including pieces from the holy trinity—Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet—and two of the hottest independents in the pre-owned market: F.P. Journe and Richard Mille. The live auction takes place on July 19. There are 373 lots, the majority of which were sourced from three collections in Switzerland, Monaco and the Middle East. The total estimate of the sale is 15 to 25 million CHF (about the equivalent in US dollars).
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The top Patek Philippe lots are, not surprisingly, both Nautilus references. One is a Ref. 3800/001 in platinum with an original platinum bracelet, and the other is a Ref. 3700/1 in 18-karat yellow gold that comes with a matching set of cuff links. Both are estimated to sell for between $200,000 and $400,000. Another Patek model growing in popularity is the vintage Calatrava, and this sale includes a Ref. 565 in steel, double signed by American retailer Black Starr & Gorham, with an exotic leather and metal strap. It is estimated at $50,000 to $80,000.
Antiquorum
Key Rolexes in the auction are also the usual suspects, including two Paul Newman Daytonas, one a Ref. 6263 in steel (estimated at $300,000 to $500,000) and the other in 18-karat yellow gold, a Ref. 6264, estimated at $700,000 to $1,200,000.
The two main independents in the sale, F.P. Journe and Richard Mille, are hot tickets on the secondary market right now. According to a review of the watch auction market in 2021 by The Mercury Project, there were 1,052 watches sold in the six-figure category in 2021, which accounted for 43 percent of total sales. “As usual, Patek Philippe comes out on top with 40 percent of the lots (417 timepieces), but it is followed by a core trio of brands: Rolex, with 188 pieces, Audemars Piguet with 134 pieces and F.P. Journe with 110 pieces. All other watch brands contributed 20 percent, including Cartier (27 lots) Richard Mille (24 lots) and A. Lange & Söhne (23 lots).”
With the five Richard Mille watches in the sale, Antiquorum will set a record for itself: the 100th Richard Mille sold by the auction house. “For the past five years, on the second-hand market, Richard Mille, master of independent watchmakers, challenges continuously the big three—Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet, says Antiquorum CEO Romain Rea. “He is becoming one of the giants of watchmaking history, and Antiquorum is proud to take part in this journey.”
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Leading the pack is a one-of-a-kind Skull Tourbillon Vanitas Vanitatum Ref. RM 52-01 tourbillon, one of 21 pieces made. The plate and bridges of the openworked movement are designed as a skull, and the movement is linked to the case by four bridges inspired by the crossed bones that appear on the flags of pirate ships. The case is made of brown sapphire. There is no estimate on this one, but Antiquorum says each of the watches sold for “more or less” $500,000 when it was made in 2012.
Antiquorum
Also on deck from Richard Mille is the very unusual RM-053 AM TI, a tourbillon with a suit-of-armor-like case made of titanium. It was designed for polo players, with two raised arcs on a 30-degree incline, opening on two viewing windows, one for hours and minutes, the other for the tourbillon carriage and seconds hand. It is estimated at $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 and Antiquorum says it is one of 15 made.
Antiquorum
The leading lot from F.P. Journe is a Chronomètre à Resonance in platinum, of which 10 examples were made, with a yellow dial and silver subdials. It is estimated at $300,000 to $500,000.
Antiquorum
Among the top lots are two in-demand Royal Oak models, including a Jumbo B series Ref. 5402 in steel with a caramel tapisserie dial (estimated at $70,000-$100,000) and a skeletonized perpetual calendar Ref. 25829PT, known as “The 007” estimated at $200,000 to $400,000.
There will be previews at the Monaco Automobile Club this Friday, July 15 (a cocktail preview) and at the Monaco Yacht Club July 17 and 18.
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