“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.” – Confucius

Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: XX is 9-10 November in Geneva. The two days will include two sessions, including more than 195 of the world’s finest watches.

UPDATE – 11 November: Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Realise CHF 50.5/USD 58 Million in Combined Results for ‘Reloaded: The Rebirth Of Mechanical Watchmaking, 1980-1999’, and The Geneva Watch Auction: XX. Results of the below highlights:

Lot 188: Patek Philippe, Ref. 1518, pink gold, sold: CHF 876,300

Lot 233: Cartier Crash “London”, sold: CHF 609,600

Early September we went to see a few highlights from the ‘Reloaded: The Rebirth of Mechanical Watchmaking 1980-1999’ auction, and this week we had the chance to discover the preview of the Geneva Watch Auction: XX.

Lot 188 – Patek Philippe, Ref. 1518, pink gold

Estimate: CHF500,000 – 1,000,000

There are 32 Patek Philippe models in the sale, and two 1518 references. The famous Ref. 1518 is Patek Philippe’s (and the world’s) first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced in a series. Only 281 were created over the course of a little over a decade (between 1941 and 1954), encased in various metals: yellow gold, pink gold and steel. The 1518 established the new class of perpetual chronographs and paved the road for later References, such as the 2499, 3970, 5970 and the 5270 introduced in 2011. (See a great example of a 1518 reference in steel here.)

The lot 188 perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases is from 1951, in a 35mm pink gold case and accompanied by Patek Philippe Extract from the Archives confirming production with raised hour markers in gold in 1951 and sale on July 2nd, 1953.

As Phillips underlines that this timepiece is preserved in noteworthy condition – the case is also remarkable and displays contrasting satin and polished finishes. The hallmark on the caseband is crisp, defined and sharp, as is the second hallmark beneath the lug.

Lot 233 – Cartier Crash “London”

Cartier is a different league when it comes to design. Throughout its history, the luxury company has put down original shapes on graphite and no matter how daring they looked, craftsmen could cast it in metal and stone. The exceptionally recognisable Crash model first saw the sunlight in London in 1967, and it has come back in various limited editions irregularly ever since.

The Cartier ‘Rare Watches’ exhibition in Geneva in 2022 dedicated a chapter to this design icon, including a Crash London model – please see it here.

The lot 233 is part of a very limited number of examples produced by Cartier London beginning in 1967, featuring London hallmarks on the case back interior, and its original Cartier deployant buckle with similar London hallmarks both further stamped ‘JC’ for Jean-Jacques Cartier. It has a 43mm x 25mm yellow gold case, many models have smaller cases, measuring 38 mm long.

The watch is accompanied by Cartier Certificate of authenticity confirming its production in 1988.

Lot 233 – Cartier Crash \”London\”

Photo credits: Loupiosity.com
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