Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Split-Seconds Chronograph 5951P Black (5951P-013)

 
Antiquorum's November auction of "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces", held on Sunday, November 13 at the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva, concluded with an outstanding result of CHF 11'675'347. This brings the total for Antiquorum auctions held in Geneva in 2011 to CHF 25'809'284, an increase of 28% in comparison to 2010.
 
b prices were achieved with 76% of the lots sold, representing 148% by value. The auction of 603 collectible timepieces enjoyed competitive bidding thanks to active internet participation, with 355 registered bidders in addition to the many telephone bidders and b in-room presence. International participation came from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, the Russian Federation, the United States, Germany and Japan.
 
"We were delighted with the last Geneva sale of the year. The combination of consignments that are fresh to the market with the new fantastic showroom allowed potential bidders to view their future purchases in comfort and style", commented Julien Schaerer, Managing Director and Auctioneer at Antiquorum Geneva.

 
The top lot of the auction was unquestionably the recently discovered Patek Philippe full 24-hour repeating pocket watch (lot 603). This previously unknown highly complicated pocket watch has in addition to the unique 24 hour repeater, an unusual type of five minute repeating. This exceptional timepiece sold for an astounding CHF 2'098'500.
 
The other highlight of the sale was the collection of exclusive Patek Philippe timepieces (lots 586 to 595), property of the original owner, a respected Japanese Collector, which totalled CHF 911'000, more than double the high estimate, with all lots sold. Appearing for the first time at auction, the Ref. 885/7 (lot 590),a lovely champleve enamel hunting cased pendant watch, obtained CHF 50'000. Also to be noted lot 591, the Patek Philippe Ref. 894, a very fine and rare skeletonised dress watch, circa 1980, realized more than four times its high estimate at CHF 86'500. The Piece Unique Ref. 1339 "Musique de Chambre Quatuor" (lot 595), a solar-powered and electro-mechanical, brass table clock with cloisonne enamel panels, sold for CHF 182'500. Not to be missed was the Patek Philippe Ref. 866/8, an exquisite dress watch with a unique enamel miniature portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Suzanne Rohr (lot 589), which drew great interest among collectors, selling for CHF 236'500.
 
Patek Philippe collectors also actively competed to acquire lot 176, a Ref. 1518, first series, made in 1948, which brought a remarkable CHF 326'500.
 
Antiquorum was also pleased to offer the Rolex Ref. 6284 (lot 597), one of the only six examples made circa 1950, property of the family of the original owner. This exceptionally rare timepiece, with a cloisonne enamel dial by Marguerite Koch featuring a map of the two Americas, sold for CHF 242'500.
 
Not to be overlooked, the Vacheron Constantin Ref. 30020 "Repetition Minutes Quantieme Perpetuel" (lot 451). This extremely fine, astronomic, minute-repeating and platinum wristwatch obtained CHF 182'500.
 
The auction preview was held in Antiquorum's new showroom, located 3 rue du Mont-Blanc in Geneva, offering more than 100 square meters of exhibition space as well as a special Lounge for customers. The collection of 603 exceptional vintage and modern timepieces and the selection of clocks attracted many visitors.
 
Antiquorum's final auction of the year will be held in New York on December 7.