TAG Heuer - Museum-quality collection auctioned at Bonhams
Bonhams, one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques, presented and auctioned the Arno Haslinger Collection of rare Heuer timepieces on Wednesday 15th December 2011 in its New Bond Street salesroom in London.
Several timepieces sold for much more than expected. The timepiece which achieved the highest selling price was an extremely rare 1974 Monaco with black PVD coated case, which sold for £48,000 (estimate: £10,000-£15,000). Other top pieces included £30,000 for a 1969 Autavia (estimate £10,000-£15,000) and £22,800 for a 1972 Carrera in 18ct gold (estimate £7,000-£9,000).
The sale, which helped raise funds for Green Cross International, was part of TAG Heuer's 150th Anniversary celebrations. A special photo session was held on December 13th, followed by a private cocktail for collectors, journalists and special guests on December 14th.
The collection of 81 watches included many of TAG Heuer's most iconic models, including rare editions of the Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Daytona and Monaco. TAG Heuer purchased several pieces that were missing from its own collection, including an extremely rare "Chronomatic" Carrera, which will go on display at the TAG Heuer Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.
The Swiss watchmaker also created a unique red, Jack Heuer, Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph especially for the auction. Estimated at £5,000-£7,000, which sold for £10,000. The dial on the special piece is inscribed with the signature of Jack Heuer, the Honorary Chairman of TAG Heuer and the man responsible for the original Silverstone design of 1974. All proceeds from the Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph sale were donated to Green Cross International — an organisation closely supported by TAG Heuer through their brand ambassador Leonardo DiCaprio. The charity was founded in 1993 under the initiative of Mikhail Gorbachev to help ensure a sustainable and secure future.
TAG Heuer's long association with motorsports — it celebrates "15O Years of Motor Racing" in 2011 — was bly evident in the collection. Many of the models were worn by TAG Heuer-endorsed racing drivers such as Jo Siffert, Clay Regazzoni, Jim Clark and Jacky Ickx. Highlights included a Viceroy Autavia issued by the Israel Defence Force; a 'Jo Siffert' white dial Autavia; vintage 'Steve McQueen' Monacos like those seen in the classic film Le Mans; and Indy 500 Carreras.
TAG Heuer - Unique 150th anniversary
Funds to go to Green Cross International, supported by Tag Heuer through Leonardo DiCaprio partnership Bonhams is proud to present the unique red Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph designed as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of TAG Heuer, and to be auctioned for charity on Wednesday 15th December. The watch is estimated to fetch £6,000-8,000 and will be sold alongside The Haslinger Collection of fine and rare Heuer watches at Bonhams New Bond Street saleroom.This special chronograph is based on the newly launched Heuer Silverstone re-edition. The original Silverstone first appeared in the company's 1974 catalogue worn by Clay Regazzoni. It is hugely popular amongst collectors and is the second most valuable series of Heuer watches after the Monaco. The Silverstone gets its name from the famous UK racetrack which has a special place in TAG Heuer's heart as many of its racing ambassadors and F1 team partners scored career-making victories on it: Emmanuel de Graffenried in 1949, Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956, Jo Siffert in 1968, Alain Prost in 1985 and 1989, Ayrton Senna in 1988, David Coulthard in 1999 and 2000, Mika Hakkinen in 2001 and Lewis Hamilton with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Benz in 2008.
The Silverstone's distinctive and vintage design, a squared case with rounded edges in polished stainless steel, is one of Heuer's purest designs and most emblematic creations. The TAG Heuer 2010 re-edition is faithful to the original — not just the same bold mix of round and square and the distinctive technical features, but with details such as the same vintage "Heuer" logo and "Silverstone" lettering at 12 o'clock, and a strap in top-grade perforated alligator.
Bonhams exceptional new chronograph has been designed with a red dial incorporating Jack Heuer's signature and a "SILVERSTONE-UNIQUE PIECE 1/1 - CALIBRE 11 - 150th ANNIVERSARY 1860-2010 - SWISS MADE" exclusive engraving on the case back, making it a true one-off for the discerning collector.
All proceeds from its sale will be donated to Green Cross International - an organisation closely supported by TAG Heuer through their brand ambassador Leonardo di Caprio. The charity was founded in 1993 under the initiative of Mikhail Gorbachev to respond to the combined challenges of security, poverty and environmental degradation to ensure a sustainable and secure future for all. Paul Maudsley, Director of the Watch Department comments, "We are delighted that TAG Heuer have made this unique watch for the Haslinger Collection Auction. Having such an iconic and one of a kind creation with Jack Heuer's signature on the dial makes this a true 'trophy watch' for the discerning watch and motorsport collector."
Notes for EditorsBonhams Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further five throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Boston in the USA; Toronto, Canada; and France, Monaco, Hong Kong, Australia and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 57 specialist areas. By the end of 2009, Bonhams had become UK market leaders in ten key specialist collecting areas.For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com (February 2010). Arno Michael Haslinger Arno Michael Haslinger has been collecting Heuer watches for many years. Alongside vintage watches, his other passion is for motor sports. After studying at the Vienna University of Economics he pursued a career in the luxury and automobile industries; working in Frankfurt, Paris and London. He was previously in the Chairman's Team of Ford's Luxury Arm 'Premier Automotive Group' consisting of the luxury car brands Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln Mercury and Volvo. He has recently written the definitive guide to Heuer watches. Paul Maudsley Paul Maudsley joined Bonhams in 1998 as a cataloguer for sales of clocks and watches at Knightsbridge. In 2000 he instigated separate sales for each category, and was appointed Director of Watches. Since then Paul has transformed Bonhams' Watch Department into the UK's market leader for specialist watch auctions, and now look after auctions in London, New York and Hong Kong.
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