Daily thoughts, musings & interests about anything (mostly horology) that currently makes my soul & grey matter tick.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Rare Jaeger-LeCoultre Antiquorum Auction Results
Thursday, March 27, 2008
2008 SIHH Preview: IWC Vintage Collection Jubilee Edition 1868-2008

At this years SIHH IWC will be celebrating 140 years by introducing six “Vintage” series watches as renditions of their past venerable models: the Portuguese, Ingenieur, Pilot’s Watch, Da Vinci, Aquatimer, Portofino. All legends of IWC in their own right they are being reintroduced as modernized new models with careful respect to their vintage roots.

Some are introduced with current series produced models
automatic IWC movements and some with hand-wound pocket watch movements based on the legendary Jones 98-calibre. The evolution of the aesthetic is surely inspired by the original pieces with some updated changes although still very closely mirroring their forefathers. The main distinguishing change in wrist presence and appearance is displayed in increased case sizes over vintage models.

The collection of six watches
is available in stainless steel with a black dial as a regular production and limited numbers in platinum with a silverized dial. First 140 platinum pieces are reserved as a special collectors set of six watches, each collectively numbered, and set in beautiful leather custom case.
Here are the individual pieces specifications from the IWC press file:
Pilot’s Watch Hand-Wound
Ref. IW3254
Features:
Homage to IWC’s first watch specifically for pilots from 1936, with hand-wound pocket watch movement and rotating bezel, platinum model limited to 500 watches
Movement
Caliber 98300
Vibrations 18,000/ h / 2.5 Hz
Jewels: 18
Power reserve: 46 h
Winding: Manual
Case
Materials: platinum, stainless steel.
Glass: sapphire, convex, anti reflective
Back: sapphire glass
Dial: silver-plated, black
Water-resistant: 6 bar
Diameter: 44mm
Height: 12mm
Weight:
Watch in platinum with black calf leather strap 145 g
Watch in stainless steel with black calf leather strap 89 g
Portuguese Hand-wound:
Ref: IW5445

Features:
Homage to the first IWC Portuguese watch of 1939, hand-wound pocket watch movement, platinum model limited to 500 watches.
Movement
Caliber 98295
Vibrations 18,000/ h / 2.5 Hz
Jewels: 18
Power reserve: 46 h
Winding manual:
Case
Materials: platinum, stainless steel
Glass: sapphire, crossed out, anti reflective
Back: sapphire glass
Dial: silver-plated, black
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 44mm
Height: 10mm
Weight
Watch in platinum with black crocodile leather strap 103 g
Watch in stainless steel with black crocodile leather strap 77 g
Ingenieur Automatic
Ref. IW3233

Features:
Homage to the first Ingenieur with automatic movement from 1955, with the 0111-calibre
movement successor with Pellaton winding system, platinum model limited to 500 watches
Movement
Caliber 80111
Vibrations 28,800/h / 4 Hz
Jewels: 28
Power reserve: 44 h
Winding: automatic
Case
Materials: platinum, stainless steel
Glass: sapphire, crossed out, anti reflective
Back: sapphire glass
Dial: silver-plated, black
Water-resistant: 12 bar
Diameter: 42.5mm
Height: 14.5mm
Weight
Watch in platinum with black crocodile leather strap 163 g
Watch in stainless steel with black crocodile leather strap 99 g
Aquatimer Automatic
Ref. IW3231

Features:
Homage to the first IWC diver’s watch, the Aquatimer from 1967, with an inner rotating
bezel and the current 80111-calibre automatic movement with Pellaton winding system,
platinum model limited to 500 watches.
Movement
Caliber 80111
Vibrations 28,800/h / 4 Hz
Jewels: 28
Power reserve: 44 h
Winding: automatic
Case
Materials: platinum, stainless steel
Glass: sapphire, convex, antireflective
Back: sapphire glass
Dial: silver-plated, black
Water-resistant: 12 bar
Diameter: 44mm
Height: 14.5mm
Weight
Watch in platinum with black crocodile leather strap 193 g
Watch in stainless steel with black rubber strap 122 g
DaVinci Automatic
Ref. IW5461

Features:
Homage to the first (electronic) Da Vinci, but with the 80111-calibre automatic movement with Pellaton winding system, platinum model limited to 500 watches.
Movement
Caliber: 80111
Vibrations 28,800/h / 4 Hz
Jewels: 28
Power reserve: 44 h
Winding: automatic
Case
Materials: platinum, stainless steel
Glass: sapphire, convex, anti reflective
Back: sapphire glass
Dial: silver-plated, black
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 42mm
Height: 13.5mm
Weight
Watch in platinum with black crocodile leather strap 166 g
Watch in stainless steel with black crocodile leather strap 115 g
Portofino Hand-Wound
Ref. IW5448

Features:
Homage to the original Portofino Reference 5251, with pocket watch movement and extremely precise moon phase display, platinum model limited to 500 watches
Movement
Caliber: 98800
Vibrations 18,000/ h / 2.5 Hz
Jewels: 18
Power reserve: 46 h
Winding: manual
Case
Materials: platinum, stainless steel
Glass: sapphire, crossed out, antireflective
Back: sapphire glass
Dial: silver-plated, black
Water-resistant: 3 bar
Diameter: 46mm
Height: 11mm
Weight
Watch in platinum with black crocodile leather strap 121g
Watch in stainless steel with black crocodile leather strap 85 g
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Seven Deadliest ….
Featuring the following watches:
Audemars Piguet 'Grand Complication'
Blancpain '1735'
Franck Muller 'Mega'
I.W.C. 'Grand Complication'
Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Tryptych'
Patek Philippe 'Sky Moon Tourbillon'
Vacheron Constatin 'Tour de L'ile'
From Spring 2008 Vox Magazine / Antiquorum
Brandon Thomas (Director, Horological Expert) - Geneva Office
I have to concur with Brandon’s findings especially his astute conclusion as to the ultimate “winner” (perhaps better to say the preferred choice) in this great company of the magnificent seven achievements of the utmost horological scale. As unattainable to mere mortals are they all - they are non the less, if not even more, impressive to experts and collectors alike. Hope you enjoy the reading.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Antiquorum Monaco Only Watch Auction Results
September 20, Monaco Yacht Show.
In the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Only Watch
07 charity auction of 35 unique timepieces, first in series or prototypes
raised the exceptional sum of € 2,756,500/ USD 3'878'946,/ CHF
4'553'186. All proceeds from this sale, organized by Antiquorum,
will help fund important medical Research on Duchene Muscular
Dystrophy.
Luc Pettavino, President of the Monaco Yacht Show and founder of
the Monegasque Association against Muscular Dystrophy said:
” Sometimes talent comes from really wanting something. Only
Watch has proven this to be true. Everyone who was involved in Only
Watch 07 wanted to be a part of its unique energy and excitement.
In this “second edition” of Only Watch, creativity, celebration,
generosity and professionalism all joined together in an outstanding
charity event that will benefit international research into Duchene
Muscular Dystrophy.
The 2.7 million euros earned will allow the Association Monégasque
contre les Myopathies to continue to support ongoing research programs
and to encourage new ones. Thanks to Only Watch, each new day brings
us closer to finding a therapeutic treatment to relieve the suffering
of children who have Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank: HSH Prince Albert
II, who has sponsored and supported this event with great compassion;
the watchmaking brands; the auction house Antiquorum; the Monaco
Yacht Show; and all our partners.
Only Watch has become a yearly engagement in the world of charity
and Haute Horology. It is familiar and eagerly awaited by collectors
the world over, and it is immensely beneficial. Therefore, it is
with great pleasure that all the participants in Only Watch
07 join me in inviting you to attend the third Only Watch event,
to be held in September 2009: ONLY WATCH 09 - season III."
More than 300 people attended the auction, including
personalities such as Philippe Starck and Formula One driver Felipe
Massa. Fierce bidding in the room competing with hundreds of bidders
from all over the world via the Internet and over the telephone. This
is the largest sum ever achieved by a charity event in Monaco.
Here the lots in alphabetical order (please click on the image for high definition picture):
Lot 1
Audemars Piguet ” Royal Oak
Offshore Volcano”, first in series.
A very fine, self-winding, stainless steel gentleman’s wristwatch with
approximately 60-hour power reserve chronograph, 30 minute and 12 hour registers,
date and tachometer.
Sold:
40,000 EUR
Lot 2
Blancpain “Ultra-Thin” Pièce
Unique.
A very fine and exceptional 18k yellow gold keyless dress watch with ultra-thin
(1.9mm) mechanical movement and approximately 40-hours power reserve.
Sold:
70,000 EUR
Lot 3
Breguet ”Chronograph Classique
A Rattrapante” No.
1 of a limited edition of 7 pieces.
A very fine and important, 18k yellow gold gentleman’s wristwatch
with split-seconds chronograph, 30-minute register, tachometer and
enamel dial.
Sold:
90,000 EUR
Lot 4
Chopard “L.U.C. Chrono One Prototype” Fleurier
et Genève,
Prototype No. 1 of 2.
An exceptionally rare and interesting self-winding 18k white gold gentleman’s
wristwatch with approximately 60-hour power reserve fly-back chronograph, 30-minute
and 12-hour registers, date and a partially skeletonized dial.
Sold:
32,000 EUR
Lot 5
Corum Admiral's Cup Challenge 44 Regatta,
number 1 in a special edition
A very fine and important 18k pink gold self-winding gentleman’s wristwatch
with approximately 42-hour power reserve, reserve split-seconds chronograph,
30-minute and 12-hour registers, date and an 18k pink gold, and rubber bracelet.
Sold:
22,000 EUR
Lot 6
Daniel Roth “Tourbillon
Date Retrograde Double Face” Pièce
Unique.
A very fine 18k pink gold double-dialled gentleman’s wristwatch
with one-minute tourbillon regulator, retrograde date, 64-hour power
reserve indicator and 18k pink gold dial.
Sold:
42,000 EUR
Lot 7
De Bethune “Time-Zone No.00”Pièce
Unique.
A very fine and important titanium and platinum gentleman’s
wristwatch with differential winding - sport and statics, 6-days
power-reserve indication and triple anti-shock system.
Sold:
45,000 EUR
Lot 8
deLaCour ”Saqra Weekend Graphite”Pièce
Unique.
A very fine and interesting graphite and 18k pink gold self-winding
gentleman’s
wristwatch with day, date and 40-hour power-reserve indication.
Sold:
14,000 EUR
Lot 9
DeWitt and Jean-Michel
Wilmotte. “Incognito 2008” One-of-a-kind model.
Time and Creation, united in the shared vision of Jean-Michel Wilmotte for the
design and DeWitt for the horological substance. One-minute flying tourbillion
regulator and 21-day power-reserve. To be unveiled in January 2008.
Sold:
400,000 EUR
Lot 10
Eterna “Madison” No.1
in a limited edition of 75 pieces.
A fine and special 18k pink gold centre seconds gentleman’s
wristwatch with deployant clasp.
Sold:
9,000 EUR
Lot 11
Franck Muller, “Totally Crazy
Monaco”,
Pièce Unique.
A very fine and amusing 18k white gold self-winding wristwatch with
random jumping hours, date and the Monegasque coat of arms on the dial.
Sold:
180,000 EUR
Lot 12
Frédérique Constant ”Heart
Beat Zerodur”, Pièce Unique.
A fine and important 18k pink gold astronomic gentleman’s
wristwatch with date, moon-phase indicator, innovative Zerodur
balance and Silicium escape wheel.
Sold:
11,000 EUR
Lot 13
Gerald Charles “Gérald Genta celebrates César” Pièce
Unique.
Very fine and interesting 18k white, pink and yellow gold “Compression
de Cesar” self-winding gentleman’s wristwatch with sliding-hours.
Sold:
40,000 EUR
Lot 14
Girard-Perregaux “World Time-Perpetual
Calendar-Financial”, Pièce Unique.
A very fine 18k pink gold astronomic gentleman’s wristwatch with
Perpetual calendar world-time with 24 global locations, “trading-time” indication
for the major markets in the world and moon phase.
Sold:
17,000 EUR
Lot 15
Glashütte Original, “Prince’s
Palace of Monaco”,
Pièce Unique.
An exceptional 18k rose gold self-winding gentleman’s wristwatch
with a Meissen porcelain dial with a polychrome depiction of the ““Prince’s
Palace of Monaco”.
Sold:
30,000 EUR
Lot 16
Harry Winston “Avenue Exotic Birds - Set n°1
of a limited edition of 5”
A very fine set of four 18k white gold gem-set lady’s wristwatches
with gem set cloisonné enamel dials; this new mini-collection
is a fresh artistic and romantic interpretation of the Exotic Birds
theme.
Sold:
80,000 EUR
Lot 17
Hublot ”Big Bang Only Watch” Pièce
Unique.
A very fine, oversized black ceramic and titanium gentleman’s
wristwatch with chronograph, 30-min and 12-hour registers and date.
Sold:
28,000 EUR
Lot 18
Instrument et Mesures
de Temps “Instrument de mesure de
Régularité”, Genève, Pièce Unique.
A very fine and important 18k pink gold gentleman’s wristwatch
with split-seconds chronograph 30-minute and 12 hour registers, date
and a triple pointer chronograph with different coloured hands corresponding
to 3 timing scales.
Sold:
26,000 EUR
Lot 19
International Watch Co. Schaffhausen “Fliegeruhr
5026, Perpetual Calendar” Pièce
Unique.
Very fine stainless steel astronomic gentleman’s wristwatch
with secular perpetual calendar and phases of the moon.
Sold:
80,000 EUR
Lot 20
Jaeger-LeCoultre“Joaillerie 101 Etrier”, Pièce
Unique.
An exceptionally fine18k white gold diamond and pink sapphire set
lady”s
back wound wristwatch.
Sold:
28,000 EUR
Lot 21
Jaquet Droz“Les
Douze Villes Monaco”,
Pièce unique.
An exceptional oversized 18k white
gold world-time wristwatch with jump-hour and time correction for
12 cities
Sold:
32,000 EUR
Lot 22
Louis Vuitton “Tambour
18 Mandarine Watch”, Pièce Unique.
Very fine and important 18k yellow gold diamond set lady’s
wristwatch with diamond set orange mother-of-pearl dial. Accompanied
by a Louis Vuitton “Mini-Trunk” designed in collaboration
with Paul Pettavino. 11 years old.
Sold:
66,000 EUR
Lot 23
Mauboussin “Oryx
Tourbillon”, No.1 in a special edition.
A very important 18k white gold gentleman’s skeletonized
wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator.
Sold:
130,000 EUR
Lot 24
Omega “De Ville Hour Vision, Only
Watch”, Pièce Unique.
A very fine 18k red gold gentleman’s wristwatch
with two barrels and co-axel escapement, the case with sapphire crystal
body to view the movement.
Sold:
25,000 EUR
Lot 25
Officine Panerai ”RADIOMIR 10 Days GMT PINK GOLD” Pièce
Unique.
A very fine and important, gentleman’s
wristwatch with 10-day power reserve indicator, 24-hour dial and
day, night indication with special blue dial.
Sold:
44,000 EUR
Lot 26
Patek Philippe, Ref 5712T “Nautilus Titanium”, Genève,
Pièce Unique.
Watch made of titanium incorporating the automatic Calibre 240 with
hour & minute indicator, seconds' between 4 and 5 o'clock, power
reserve, date and moon phase display. This Nautilus Titanium is water-resistant
to 60 meters and features a two-colour dial with a horizontally embossed
pattern, a composite material strap, and a safety fold-over clasp in
titanium.
Sold:
525,000 EUR
Lot 27
Piaget, “Altiplano, Prince Albert
II” Pièce Unique.
A very fine 18k white gold diamond-set gentleman’s wristwatch
with diamond-set dial replicating the fingerprint of H.S.H Prince Albert
II of Monaco.
Sold:
38,000 EUR
Lot 28
Pierre Kunz, “Chrono Sport Monaco” Genève,
Pièce Unique.
A very fine and important stainless steel gentleman’s wristwatch
with chronograph, skeletonized retrograde 30-minute and 12-hour registers,
day/night indication and red “Texalium” dial.
Sold:
12,000 EUR
Lot 29
Richard Mille and Philippe
Starck “An
integral interpretation in titanium”, Piéce
Unique.
A very fine skeletonized Titanium self-winding gentleman’s
wristwatch with fly-back chronograph, annual calendar, oversize
date, month, 12-hour register, 60-minute countdown time and approximately
55-hour power reserve (without chronograph running).
Sold:
320,000 EUR
Lot 30
Rodolphe ”Instinct
Chrono 180° Only Watch”,
Pièce Unique, Unique Inscription and Unique Dial.
An unusual PVD coated gentleman’s wristwatch with two movements,
one for the chronograph with constant seconds, date, 30-minute and
12-hour recorders and the other for the time functions.
Sold:
7,000 EUR
Lot 31
Swatch, “Pearly Pink”, Piece Unique.
A
stylish pink crystal set steel lady’s
quartz wristwatch.
Sold:
4,500 EUR
Lot 32
Ulysse Nardin“Maxi Marine Diver
Only Watch 2007 Set”, unique Set.
A very fine stainless steel and white gold gentleman’s wristwatch
with date and power-reserve indicator (approximately 42-hours). Accompanied
by a barometer and a copy of the book “Making of a Masterpiece”.
Sold:
24,000 EUR
Lot 33
Vacheron Constantin, “Malte Tourbillon Platinum” Pièce
Unique.
An exceptionally rare gentleman's platinum tourbillon regulator tonneau-shaped
wristwatch with date and 40-hour power reserve indicator. Also featuring
a carriage bridge in platinum (a first for Vacheron Constantin). The
case, dial, strap stitching and buckle are equally in platinum.
Sold:
130,000 EUR
Lot 34
Van Cleef & Arpels “Lady Arpels Féerie”,
Pièce Unique
A very fine 18k white gold diamond-set (D-E-F) lady’s wristwatch
with a purple guilloché dial. The delicate white gold and
diamonds fairy indicates the time thanks to an hour and minute retrograde
mechanical movement.
Sold:
70,000 EUR
Lot 35
Zenith “Defy Extreme Stealth 1000m Only Watch 2007”, Pièce
Unique.
A very fine titanium divers wristwatch with revolving graduated bezel,
chronograph, 30-minute register, central power reserve indicator and
partially skeletonized dial.
Sold:
45,000 EUR
Antiquorum is, unquestionably, the world’s leading
watch auctioneer; Of the 62 watches ever sold publicly by major auction
houses above SFR. 1,000,000, Antiquorum claims an impressive 44 .
In 2002, Antiquorum established the all-time world record price for
a wristwatch at auction when it sold a platinum Patek Phililppe World
Time Ref. 1415 from 1939 for an astounding CHF 6,603,500 (US$ 4,026,524).
This record-breaking price more than doubled the previous world record
price for a wrist watch at auction. Another record price for a modern
watch was achieved in 2004, the unique white gold Calibre 89, also
by Patek Philipe, was sold for SFr. 6,603,500 (US$ 5,002,652).
Info by Antiquorum
Daily thoughts, musings & interests about anything (mostly horology) that currently makes my soul & grey matter tick.









