Phillips Watches, Geneva Auction Five – my Patek Philippe favourites

Aurel Bacs and his team at Phillips Watches again put together an outstanding offer for the Geneva sale of 13 and 14 May 2017.

My choice is of watches I would offer to clients without hesitation, and which touch me most: three Patek Philippe dress watches, three with complications and three chronographs.

Dress watches

Reference 570

The 570 Calatrava is one of my favourite Patek Philippe dress watches, and the two examples I chose represent it very well.

The pink-on-pink with two-tone dial, Lot 72, estimate 40,000–80,000 CHF, is very rare and, as the catalogue says, in amazing condition, with the case probably unpolished.

The white gold example, Lot 115, estimate 40,000–80,000 CHF, is in probably unpolished condition, as stated in the catalogue, and comes with the Certificat d’Origine, original presentation box and original strap. A white gold 570 in good condition sold at Phillips in May 2015 (Lot 94) for 77,000 CHF hammer price.

Reference 2551

White gold with a black dial and diamond-set hour markers, Lot 166, estimate 80,000–140,000 CHF. The discreet presence is wonderful, and I could imagine it on a tailor-made Harris Tweed suit. I particularly like white metal cases with black dials, and, as the catalogue states, this combination is probably unique.

Complications

Reference 1415

The 1415, Lot 181, estimate 60,000–90,000 CHF, was the first worldtime wristwatch made by Patek Philippe. This example is in pink gold, of which only 14 are known of the second series with silver dial. As the catalogue notes, it was last sold in 2001.

Reference 1526

The first perpetual calendar produced by Patek in series, in pink gold. Lot 214, estimate 150,000–250,000 CHF. It is in exceptional condition and one of the best-preserved examples to have appeared; the catalogue says it “appears to be in virtually unworn condition”. I do not know why the 1526 is still underrated: its historical importance is much the same as that of the 1518, the first perpetual calendar chronograph, yet it has not received the attention it deserves. The design is wonderful and the presence on the wrist, at 34 mm, perfect.

Reference 2497

The successor of the 1526, in pink gold, Lot 171, estimate 400,000–800,000 CHF. It was unknown to the market, comes from the family of the first owner, is in remarkable condition, has luminous hands and comes with its original pink gold Milanese bracelet.

Chronographs

Reference 1463

The 1463 with its two-tone Pulsation scale dial, Lot 31, estimate 150,000–250,000 CHF. Not known to the market before, it combines magnificent condition with rarity. I like the sporty case design and the pushers of the 1463.

Reference 591

A chronograph one hears about less often, but one I like a lot. Lot 34, estimate 40,000–70,000 CHF. It is estimated that only 34 were made, which makes it the rarest chronograph Patek Philippe built, and the example is in superb condition.

Reference 1518

The first perpetual calendar chronograph built in series. Together with the 1526, one of the most important watches made by Patek Philippe. Lot 215, estimate 300,000–500,000 CHF. As stated in the catalogue, this example last appeared on the market in 1987, thirty years earlier.

Photographs: Phillips Watches.