Category: Auctions

Almost Vintage… Christie’s To Auction Online Three Of The Earliest URWERK Watches

Almost vintage… Indeed, this might be a bit provocative, however do consider that what you see here is a time-capsule, enclosing 20 years of history. That’s right, the everlasting young and creative brand URWERK is celebrating this year two decades of bold and unchained horological creations. So, well, vintage… Maybe not! Extremely collectible… Most definitely, as Christie’s Watches Online is now having for sale three of the earliest URWERK watches, which is quite a rare opportunity to get your hands on a piece of the independent scene’s history.

7 years ago

Auction Report – Moser & Christie’s Raise CHF 100,000 In Support Of Traditional Swiss Watchmaking (with their weird cheese-watch)

As reported to you here a few weeks ago, Moser, in association with auction house Christie’s, was about to donate two of its most provocative watches, however with a loyal goal hidden behind: preserving the traditions of the Swiss Watchmaking industry and making sure that this expertise, unique in the world, will survive – and as you know, Moser is a fervent defender of the Swiss production, but not of the Swiss Made label. Yesterday, the final amount realised as the hammer fell was rather impressive. 

8 years ago

Auction Report – Moser & Christie’s Raise CHF 100,000 In Support Of Traditional Swiss Watchmaking (with their weird cheese-watch)

As reported to you here a few weeks ago, Moser, in association with auction house Christie’s, was about to donate two of its most provocative watches, however with a loyal goal hidden behind: preserving the traditions of the Swiss Watchmaking industry and making sure that this expertise, unique in the world, will survive – and as you know, Moser is a fervent defender of the Swiss production, but not of the Swiss Made label. Yesterday, the final amount realised as the hammer fell was rather impressive. 

8 years ago

FOUND: What COULD Be A Never-Seen-Before Rolex Rattrapante Pocket Watch?

Here is the story: Dr. Crott Auctioneers is about to auction what COULD be (and that “could” is extremely important to keep in mind…) a Rolex Rattrapante Pocket Watch. This combination Rolex / Rattrapante / Pocket Watch is, considering the immense literature about Rolex, something never seen before. So what do we have here? Potentially one of the rarest and most important Rolex watches ever? A superb example of limited (maybe unique) production by the Crown? Or an example of re-encasing work done by one of those vintage magicians? What is certain though, is that we are facing a highly interesting mystery (found thanks to watch journalist Gregory Pons).

8 years ago

Christie’s To Auction H. Moser & Cie. Cheese Swiss Mad Watch and Swiss Alp Watch Prototype (To Promote Swiss Watchmaking)

Since a few months now, you probably heard about the #MakeSwissMadeGreatAgain concept launched by independent watchmaker H. Moser & Cie. With a certain love for unconventional marketing gimmicks and an ironical way of exposing the reality of the Swiss Made label, the brand made some noise. Yet, behind this, there’s a wish of promoting the real Swiss Watchmaking industry, the one we all love as collectors. Today, in order to preserve Swiss watchmaking traditions, Christie’s and H. Moser & Cie. join forces, with an upcoming auction of the Cheese Swiss Mad Watch and Swiss Alp Watch Prototype (as a start of a long term relation).

8 years ago

Novelist Jackie Collins Was A Surprising Lover Of Fine Watches As Bonhams Auction Reveals

In the 1980s you may have read perhaps a few entertaining books by Jackie Collins, who passed away on September 19, 2015 at the age of 77. She was a very wealthy woman after 47 years of publishing bestselling romance novels, and now Bonhams is set to auction her estate of 1,000 lots for an estimated total of $3 million on May 16 and 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, and there are a few interesting watches included. In fact, I’d say surprising watches.

8 years ago

Exotic (Not Rolex Or Patek Philippe) Timepieces Up For Auction At Christie’s In Dubai, Including Unique Boucheron Hawk Powered By Girard-Perregaux Three Bridges Tourbillon

Many watch auctions appear to be dominated by notable sales of Rolex and Patek Philippe timepieces. And I’ve nothing against those two lovely brands, but the world of big auctions is becoming ever more monotone. Here are some genuinely exotic, decidedly out-of-the-ordinary timepieces currently on offer at Christie’s Important Watches auction, which takes place in Dubai on March 19, 2017.

8 years ago

My First Auction Purchase: Alain Silberstein Pendant Watch (Archive)

I have attended the odd auction. I have even gone to auctions with the intent to bid on a watch. But that hadn’t yet worked out for me. Not until I saw that Parisian auction house Artcurial was auctioning off what was left of Alain Silberstein’s inventory and put in an absentee bid on a long shot. I had little hope.

8 years ago

Year-End Auctions 2016: I Came, I Saw, I Learned, I Bought

This is the second year in a row that I’ve had the opportunity to attend the November watch auctions in Geneva. On last year’s trip, a good friend and I had the pleasure of participating in several events organized by Patek Philippe as well as the biennial OnlyWatch auction. This year, we returned for the previews and salesroom action at major houses including Phillips, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s.

8 years ago

Wrap Up Of Geneva Watch Auctions of November 2016

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS AT – PHILLIPS (BACS & RUSSO), CHRISTIE’S, SOTHEBY’S & ANTIQUORUM Chart – RECAP ON NOVEMBER 2016 WATCH AUCTIONS – GENEVA AUCTION HOUSE TTL LOTS* QTY SOLD SOLD % TOTAL VALUE AVG. PRICE PHILLIPS (Bacs & Russo) 191 177 93% CHF 27.513.625 CHF 155.444 Christie’s 323 276 85% CHF 14.702.500 CHF 53.270 Sotheby’s […]

8 years ago