Phillips Reveals an Assortment of Rarities for Geneva Auction

If the full-set of Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 models already announced for Phillips first dedicated watch auction of 2021 wasn’t enough, the auction house has just announced a interesting assortment of rare models also going under the hammer.

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIII lots represent not only globally recognised brand but some of the world’s finest independent watchmakers too.

The sale in May is thought to be the first time that a Roger Smith Series One ‘Theo Fennell’ has ever appeared at auction. Of the nine Series One watches created by the Isle of Man watchmaker from 2001 onwards, three were commissioned by London jeweller Theo Fennel as part of his ‘ONELY’ series which bear his monogram at the 12 o’clock position. This white gold example features a retrograde date and small seconds and has an estimate of CHF 40,000 – 80,000 ($43,000 – $86,000 USD).

Also offered is a Harry Winston Opus One in platinum, a watch created for the famed diamond jeweller in 2001 by the then up-and-coming young watchmaker, F.P. Journe. The Opus series was the brainchild of Harry Winston’s then CEO, Max Büsser, who wanted to harness the talents of exciting, emerging watchmakers. He would later turn the concept into a business model by leaving to set up his own watch brand, MB&F or Max Büsser and Friends. The watch has an estimate of CHF 150,000 – 300,000 ($161,300 – $322,600 USD).

But those in the market for ultra-rare Patek Philippe examples won’t be disappointed either, with a stainless steel Ref. 5004 perpetual calendar split second chronograph being offered without reserve. Only 50 pieces were made in stainless steel when the model was discontinued and reserved for the brand’s top clients.

There is also a tourneau-cased Ref. 5950 split second chronograph in pink gold and matching dial, another auction debut, and a spectacular lugless white gold Ref. 3448 perpetual calendar with original 9-link Patek Philippe bracelet. Each of the Patek pieces comes with an estimate of estimate of CHF 200,00 – 400,000 ($215,120 – $430,240 USD).

Rolex pieces include a stainless steel Ref. 6036 ‘Killy’, double-signed by retailer Joyeria Riviera when it was still based in Cuba, estimate CHF 150,000 – 250,000 ($161,340 – $322,680 USD) and No.1 of eight Ref. 1831 automatic platinum Day-Dates fitted inside Oysterquartz case for the Shah of Iran in 1977, estimate CHF140,000 – 280,000 ($150,584 – $301,168 USD).

The auction also boasts a large assortment of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak including a platinum and pink gold skeletonized perpetual calendar wristwatch, one of only 25 pieces ever made, estimate CHF 60,000 – 120,000 ($64,500 – $129,000 USD), and an early E-series Royal Oak Offshore “Beast” in yellow gold CHF 40,000 – 70,000 ($43,000 – $75,300 USD).

Richard Mille features too with a striking red RM022, from the Tourbillon Aerodyne Dual Time Red-White-Blue series that saw 10 limited editions produced in each color, and comes with an estimate of CHF250,000 – 500,000 ($269,000 – $537,800 USD).

The sale, which takes place on May 8 and 9 at Phillips Geneva, also includes watches from A. Lange & Söhne, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, Zenith, Longines and IWC.