This season’s Geneva watch auctions have proved two things: that the wealthy are not feeling the squeeze as inflation rages, and that they have almost unlimited budgets for the rarest timepieces.
That makes the line-up of watches at Phillips New York’s SEVEN auction all the more exciting, because it includes several lots that look certain to sell for seven figures.
A George Daniels Anniversary watch is a prime example of a watch that will get extra attention after collectors battled for other models at Phillips’ Geneva sale.
A George Daniels Spring Case Tourbillon sold for CHF 4,083,500, a new world record for any watch sold at auction by a British watchmaker and represents the second highest price achieved by any independent watchmaker.
Two other Daniels watches – a Millennium and an Anniversary made in collaboration with his one and only apprentice Roger Smith — sold for CHF 828,600 (a world record for the reference) and CHF 693,000.
In New York, Phillips is offering another George Daniels Anniversary watch, one of only 35 pieces finished by Roger Smith in yellow gold.
It goes to auction with an estimate of $400,000 to $1 million.
Geneva auctions also demonstrated the enduring demand for vintage Patek Philippe complications and contemporary Nautilus watches.
New York will pick up the baton with a possibly unique Patek Philippe Ref. 2499, retailed by Howes in 1973.
It goes to sale with an estimate of $400,000 to $800,000.
Making its first appearance since it was sold at public auction over two decades ago, it has resided unaltered in an important American collection since then.
Signed by the American retailer Howes, it is the only Howes-signed reference 2499 known, and thus one of the rarest ref. 2499s to ever be offered.
Cartier continues its rise as an auction room darling, particularly rare pieces from Cartier London or Cartier Paris in the 1970s.
Phillips New York is offering a rare, historically important, and early yellow Cartier London Crash with presentation box, offered by the family of the original owner.
Estimate is $400,000 to $800,000.
A Complete Set of Patek Philippe Ref. 5131s will be sold as four separate lots with estimates around the $100,000 mark.
There are two in yellow gold, one in white gold and one in platinum. They are all being sold by a single owner who bought them all new.
The Phillips New York SEVEN auction takes place from December 10 to 11.