Phillips Geneva Auction Two, November 2015

After the outstanding “Geneva Auction One”, Aurel Bacs and his team created another sale, “Geneva Auction Two”, held on 7 and 8 November 2015. Choosing from it is a challenge. The sale is on the Phillips website.

Vacheron & Constantin 6026, pink gold

An extremely rare and beautiful 6026 in pink gold, 36 mm. Only 25 were made of this reference, and only six in pink gold. Lot 178, estimate 30,000–50,000 CHF.

Vacheron & Constantin 6087, yellow gold

The legendary 6087 with cornes de vache lugs, in a yellow gold case of which only 28 are known. Lot 131, estimate 50,000–100,000 CHF.

Rose gold chronograph with cream dial and sub-dials on a light brown strap — Vacheron & Constantin 6087 with cornes de vache lugs

Audemars Piguet minute repeater, 1929

I love early minute repeaters, and this is a special one: a platinum minute repeater by Audemars Piguet from 1929, retailed by Cartier, which belonged to Henry Haven Windsor Jr. and bears the engraving “H.H. WINDSOR 200 E. ONTARIO ST. CHICAGO” on the back. It looks to be in stunning condition for its age. Lot 233, estimate 300,000–600,000 CHF.

White tonneau wristwatch with silver dial, Arabic numerals and bracelet — Audemars Piguet minute repeater in platinum, 1929, retailed by Cartier

Universal Genève Tri-Compax

A Universal Genève Tri-Compax. In the first sale in May, Phillips offered one with the original Gay Frères bracelet, which sold for 24,000 (hammer price). Lot 202, estimate 6,000–9,000 CHF.

Record split-seconds chronograph, 1945

A split-seconds chronograph by Record from 1945. The 37.5 mm case was large for its time and is a good size today. I like the clean two-tone dial with gold hour indexes matching the gold hands. Lot 228, estimate 12,000–18,000 CHF.

Steel chronograph with cream dial and sub-dials on a black strap, angled view — Record split-seconds chronograph, 1945

Rolex 4048

The first Oyster chronograph by Rolex, in very good condition by all appearances. Lot 161, estimate 60,000–90,000 CHF.

Steel chronograph with cream dial and brown strap, angled view with pushers — Rolex 4048, the first Oyster chronograph

Rolex 3525

Another legendary Rolex reference, with a beautifully patinated yellow gold case, a black gilt dial and a yellow gold bracelet. Lot 223, estimate 200,000–400,000 CHF.

Gold bracelet chronograph with black dial, gold sub-dials and gold pushers — Rolex 3525 in yellow gold with black gilt dial

Patek Philippe 565, steel

The 565 is one of my favourite Patek Philippe references. This one is in steel with a black dial, fresh to the market. The black dial with Arabic and dot numerals had never been seen before, and the black dial is confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. Lot 251, estimate 100,000–200,000 CHF.

Steel wristwatch with black dial, Arabic numerals and small seconds on a brown strap — Patek Philippe 565 in steel with black dial

Patek Philippe 530, steel

A 530 in steel with a multitone dial and Breguet numerals, featured in John Goldberger’s book “Patek Philippe Steel Watches”. Lot 269, estimate 200,000–400,000 CHF.

Steel wristwatch with silver guilloché dial, Arabic numerals and brown strap — Patek Philippe 530 in steel with multitone dial

Patek Philippe 3700/1A Nautilus, Gübelin

The last of my choices: a 3700/1A Nautilus with Gübelin signature, of which only three signed examples are known. It comes with its original box and service hang tag. Lot 107, estimate 20,000–30,000 CHF.

Steel Nautilus wristwatch with blue dial and bracelet, next to a Patek Philippe box — Patek Philippe 3700/1A Nautilus with Gübelin signature

Photographs: Phillips Watches.

Phillips Watches, Geneva Auction Two – my picks