Christie's Sets World Auction Record for a Vintage Vacheron Constantin Wristwatch Christie's sale of Important Pocket Watches & Wristwatches today realized $5,381,900 and was 80% sold by lot, 83% sold by value.
News-Antique.com - Oct 23,2007 - Christie's sale of Important Pocket Watches & Wristwatches today realized $5,381,900 and was 80% sold by lot, 83% sold by value.
A world auction record for a vintage Vacheron Constantin wristwatch was set today with the top lot of the day - an extremely rare Ref. 4293 in 18k pink gold that realized $457,000. Combining the complications of minute repeating, triple calendar and phases of the moon, this magnificent and probably unique wristwatch is arguably one of the most historically important Vacheron Constantin wristwatches to ever come to auction, and it inspired fevered bidding that ended with a contest between 4 telephone bidders in the US and Europe.
Important Pocket Watches & Wristwatches
New York – Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Sale no: 1891 – Top Ten
[All sold prices include buyer’s premium]
Sold: $5,381,900 £2,651,182 €3,970,070
Lots Sold: 299 Lots Offered: 374 Sold by Lot: 80% Sold by $: 83%
Exchange Rate: $ =£2.03 / € 1.42
Lot Description
Estimate ($)
Purchase Price
Buyer
97 Vacheron Constantin. An 18k pink gold minute repeater triple calendar wristwatch with two-tone dial and moon phases
World Auction Record for a Vintage Vacheron Constantin Wristwatch
250,000-500,000 $457,000
£225,123
€321,831 Anonymous
376 Patek Philippe. A platinum minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with enamel dial
250,000-350,000
$403,000
£198,522
€283,803 Anonymous
279 Patek Philippe. An 18k pink gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases
150,000-300,000
$205,000
£100,985
€144,366 Anonymous
177 Lange & Söhne. A limited edition oversized platinum tourbillon wristwatch with date and power reserve 100,000-150,000 $163,000
£80,296
€114,789 European Private
150 Breguet. A limited edition platinum half-hunter case tourbillon wristwatch 110,000-150,000
$127,000
£62,562
€89,437 European Collector
274 Patek Philippe. An 18k gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases 80,000-120,000
$121,000
£59,606
€85,211 Asian Collector
74 Rolex. A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, original box and papers 50,000-80,000 $121,000
£59,606
€85,211 European Private
106 Vacheron Constantin. An18k gold tonneau skeletonized tourbillon wristwatch with date and power reserve 90,000-120,000 $106,600
£52,512
€75,070 European Collector
75 Rolex. A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial 40,000-60,000 $103,000
£50,739
€72,535 European Collector
226 Audemars Piguet. An 18k gold and platinum cushion minute repeating wristwatch with Breguet numerals
80,000-120,000
$97,000
£47,783
€68,310 Anonymous
Comment: “Today Christie’s set a world auction record for a vintage Vacheron Constantin wristwatch,” said Adrienne Hines, Head of Watch Sales at Christie’s New York. “This historic timepiece was a supremely fine example that sparked great interest among collectors and inspired fevered bidding that ended with a contest between 4 telephone bidders in the US and Europe. The sale result today represents one of the strongest for Christie’s New York and attests not only to the strength of the market, but Christie’s dominance therein. My colleagues and I are now looking forward to continued success in our upcoming fall sales in Dubai, Geneva and Hong Kong. ”
Press Contact: Kate Swan +1 212 636 2676 kswan@christies.com
Next Sale Date: The next Important Watch sale will take place in Dubai on November 1st.
