A yellow gold Patek Philippe perpetual calendar, once owned by Andy Warhol, is the star lot at Christie’s New York’s upcoming Important Watches auction.
The sale takes place online and in person on December 5.
The 1977 Patek Philippe Ref. 3448 Perpetual Calendar in 18ct gold was sold in 1988, following Andy Warhol’s death, and remained with its buyer until 2014 before being solda gain to its current owner.
It goes under the hammer with an estimate of $ 350,000 to $600,000.
Christie’s has 107 watches crossing the block at its December auction including rare pieces from independents F.P. Journe, MB&F, De Bethune and Grönefeld.
Cartier London’s iconic pieces from the 1960s and 70s also feature, including a Cartier Baignoire Allongée Maxi Oval in 18ct gold, signed Cartier London, 1968.
Star watches at Christie’s New York auction
(Pictures, descriptions and estimates from Christie’s)
Andy Warhol’s Patek Philippe
A highly desirable and rare vintage wristwatch in itself, this superb Patek Philippe Reference 3448 also has the distinction of having been previously owned by Andy Warhol, one of the most famous and influential artists of the 20th century, and an avid collector himself.
Collectors today place a high premium on uniqueness and distinctiveness of ownership, especially when it comes to the sophisticated realm of intricate Patek Philippe creations.
This particular timepiece, with its Andy Warhol provenance, is one of the most personal and elusive of the eminent classics to be auctioned.
The watch is in superb overall condition. Featuring a last series dial with a satin opaline finish, a hallmark of Stern Frères, it displays the ‘Aprior’ trademark on either side of ‘Swiss’ at 6 o’clock.
Introduced in 1962, the Reference 3448 was the market’s first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. Scholarly sources indicate that only 586 units were produced: approximately 450 in yellow gold, about 130 in white gold, two in platinum, and one in rose gold.
This model was equipped with the revered calibre 27-460, recognized as one of the most advanced and opulently crafted automatic movements ever developed.
Estimate: $350,000 t0 $600,000.
Cartier Baignoire Allongée Maxi Oval
For aficionados and collectors of Cartier, watches that originated from the London ateliers hold an allure that is unparalleled.
The Baignoire Allongée, an exquisite iteration of the fabled Baignoire, is an elongated version, earning it the sobriquet of ‘Maxi Oval.’
Meticulously handmade in a very limited edition, it has remained a rarity, with only four appearing at auction over the past 25 years.
Presented by a renowned collector for auction at Christie’s, this particular Baignoire Allongée is a prime example of Cartier’s most compelling and coveted designs.
The substantial gold casing, bearing the full London hallmarks from 1968, and a matching numbered gold deployant clasp, make it an exquisite find.
The 1960s in London were a time of exhilarating innovation, and Jean-Jacques Cartier’s vision for the London workshops was to craft timepieces that mirrored the era’s vivacious character.
The creations from this period, including the ‘Crash’ and this Baignoire Allongée, were not just ahead of their time; they were intentionally striking, standing in stark contrast to the conventional designs of the era.
Estimate: US$ 100,000-200,000
Patek Philippe
An extremely rare ref. 5002P platinum double-dial watch with twelve complications including cathedral minute repeating tourbillon, perpetual calendar with retrograde date.
Produced from 2001 to 2011 with an extremely rarefied output of only around 10 watches per year, reference 5002 is doubtlessly one of the most important wristwatches of our time. It is believed that only 40 pieces were produced in platinum from which 17 are known from the market.
Estimate: $1,200,000 to $2,200,000.
MB&F Legacy Machine No.2
Released in 2013, the Legacy Machine No’ 2 features two independent “flying” balances which utilize a planetary differential system to regulate each escapement beating at its own rate.
The bespoke 11mm three-dimensional “flying” balances are suspended above the dial, each supported by incredible double-arc mirror-polished bridges.
To accommodate and emphasize this main feature and design, an oversized bubble sapphire crystal is fitted to the timepiece, allowing for a fuller view and appreciation of this wonderful achievement. The one-of-a-kind movement powering the Legacy Machine No’ 2 is none other than the masterworks from legendary watchmakers Jean-François Mojon at Chronode and Kari Voutilainen.
Its rear is just as beautiful as the front featuring 19th century style hand-finishing decoration including Côtes de Genève, anglage, and black-mirror polishing.
Estimate $60,000 to $120,000
