Auction: Antiquorum, Geneva, 11 & 12 November 2006

Antiquorum’s November sale to offer extremely rare Patek Philippe Ref. 1579 and timepieces of astonishing technical and historical importance.

Antiquorum, the world’s leading auctioneer in the field of horology, present its November sale entitled Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, Clocks & Horological Tools to be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva on November 11&12. The sale will offer 380 extraordinary timepieces, including numerous private collections, spanning several centuries of fine watch making. Previews are to be held in Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong before returning to Geneva to be hosted in Antiquorum’s Showroom.

The incontestable highlight of the sale is an extremely rare and important Patek Philippe “Ref. 1579” wristwatch in stainless steel with square button chronograph. This spectacular wristwatch, was made in 1943 and is the first Patek Philippe Ref. 1579 in stainless steel to be sold at auction.

Watches from private collections always provide a special additional value to buyers and in this sale several such timepieces are for sale.  A remarkably private European collection of Geneva watches made for the Chinese market in the beginning of the 19th century includes outstanding pieces by Piguet & Meylan.  Moreover, exceptionally fine Rolex watches are part of an important collection compiled by an Asian collector, including a very rare and fine Ref. 6062 in stainless steel with star dial. The watch is in perfect condition and estimated between CHF 180,000 – 220,000.

Furthermore technically and historically interesting timepieces such as the first decimal marine watch that was made for the Chevalier de Borda the famous mathematician, physicist, political scientist, sailor and father of the standard “Metre”- the basis of the metric system. This pocket watch was made by Berthoud in the late 18th century and considered by him to be the most important chronometer that he ever made. The estimation is Sfr. 300,000 – 400,000.

Further, and formerly included in the estate of Alfred Nobel, is a very fine and historically important pocket watch with minute repeater and chronograph made by Le Roy & Fils in 1880. Its excellent condition leads it to an estimate of Sfr. 23,000 – 28,000.

Auction:
Hotel Mandarin Oriental Hotel de Rhone
Saturday, November 11 at 19h00 Sunday, November 12 at 11h00 and 14h00

Source: Antiquorum

www.antiquorum.com

Contact : [email protected]

(Please credit europastar.com)