Christie’s is expecting its Watches Online: Dubai Edit auction, which is live now and runs until April 8, to generate up to $15 million from sales of almost 200 lots.
The business says it is the greatest assortment of watches ever compiled for a purely online auction.
Watches that would once have only graced a Geneva sale room are now deemed appropriate for an international online auction including a Patek Philippe Ref. 5002P Sky Moon Tourbillon in platinum (est. $1,000,000 to $1,800,000), which was not only the most complicated watch produced by the watchmaker at the time, but also the first ever double-faced wristwatch in the Geneva manufacturer’s history.
Also from Patek Philippe are a Ref. 3990P with a light grey dial and a Ref. 5004R with a ruby dial, a Ref. 5074P minute repeater perpetual calendar (est. USD 400,000-700,000), a Ref. 5014P semi-skeletonised minute repeater perpetual calendar (est. $400,000-600,000), and the a pink gold Ref. 5029 minute repeater (est. USD 250,000-350,000) made in 10 pieces per metal (yellow gold, pink gold, white gold and platinum) to commemorate the anniversary of the manufacture in 1997.
Rolex is well-represented with a good condition Rolex Dato-Compax Ref. 6036, produced circa 1952 (est. $100,000-180,000), a Rolex Submariner Ref. 5510 “Big Crown” ($125,000-200,000), a Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 1665 “Patent Pending” ($90,000-120,000), and a rare Rolex Ref. 3525 chronograph ($150,000-300,000).
Rocketing popularity and prices for independent watchmakers have auctioneer clamouring to source them. Christie’s has come up with a selection of seven F.P. Journe watches, including three platinum timepieces from before 2004, particularly coveted and recognisable by their rhodium-plated brass movements: Resonance (est. $150,000-250,000), Zodiac, of which only 150 pieces were made, ($100,000-150,000) and Octa Automatique with an elegant pink dial ($100,000-150,000).
Remy Julia, Director – Head of Watches Middle East – India – Africa – Russia, says: “The Dubai Edit online auction is set to become a game-changer as far as watch auctions go. Never in the history of watch auctions has a 100% online event offered timepieces of such quality, be they modern or vintage. This has been made possible only because of our specialists’ substantial reputation in the industry. Besides being the perfect barometer for gauging current collector demand at the global level, Dubai Edit brings together exceptional watchmaking in one innovative format and positions Dubai as a global tech hub for vintage and contemporary collectible watches.”
