Christie’s will hold Important Watches Featuring Stories in Time: A Collection of Exceptional Watches, a live auction in New York City on 9 June. The sale offers timepieces ranging from vintage models to contemporary creations, with a focus on independent watchmakers.
Leading the auction is a Patek Philippe Ref. 3974R, estimated at $650,000 to $1,350,000. Introduced in 1989 to mark the brand’s 150th anniversary, it was the most complicated wristwatch of its time. Of the 160 examples produced, only around 20 were crafted in pink gold, as the present lot. While the majority were fitted with silvered dials and baton indexes, this piece stands out for its slate-grey dial. Discontinued in 2000, the Ref. 3974 is considered one of the most coveted minute repeating wristwatches of the past three decades.
Rebecca Ross, Head of Sale at Christie’s New York, said the timepieces “symbolize significant moments in history, from groundbreaking explorations to technical advancements that redefine possibilities.”
Additional highlights include a Rolex Ref. 116595RBOW ‘ Rainbow Daytona’, estimated at $250,000 to $450,000, known for its multicolored sapphire-set bezel and diamond-set case. Introduced in Everose gold in 2018, it exemplifies Rolex’s gem-setting and finishing. An Audemars Piguet 18k gold calendar wristwatch with moon phases, estimated at $50,000 to $100,000, is a rare example from 1927, offering a glimpse into the maison’s early complications.
The auction also features a curated selection from Stories in Time: A Collection of Exceptional Watches, an offering of 160 contemporary timepieces spanning 47 brands and independent ateliers, including Greubel Forsey and De Bethune. A centerpiece is the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique, estimated at $120,000 to $220,000. Produced in a limited edition of only 11 examples, each in red gold and platinum, the watch features two engraved gold plates bearing the signatures of Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey. The Double Tourbillon 30° is distinguished by its inclined tourbillon architecture and chronometric performance.
(Press Release)
