Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo unveils highlights ahead of The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII. Highlights from the sale will tour to the public in New York, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, and London.

The preview will open in Geneva on 10 May before the live auction on 13 and 14 May at the Hôtel La Réserve.

Patek Philippe

The sale presents an exceptional group of watches by Patek Philippe, led by the perpetual calendar chronograph reference 2499, considered by collectors to be a true horological grail.

Firstly, Phillips is offering a first series in yellow gold from the family of the original owner (estimate CHF 800,000-1,600,000).

Other important timepieces by Patek Philippe include an incredible second series in pink gold, one of only a handful of examples known (estimate CHF 1,500,000-3,000,000).

Finally, a third series formerly belonging to Mel Blanc, the world-renowned voice actor best known for his work with Loony Tunes as the voice of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck (estimate CHF 350,000-500,000).

Another impressive timepiece from Patek Philippe is a possibly unique white gold reference 3448 perpetual calendar, complete with its original certificate of origin (estimate CHF 500,000-1,000,000).

Amongst the selection of modern Patek Philippe timepieces is a superb trio of chiming watches: reference 5016 in pink gold featuring a minute repeater, perpetual calendar and tourbillon (estimate CHF 250,000-500,000); a recently unsealed reference 5074 in platinum featuring a cathedral gong minute repeater with perpetual calendar (estimate CHF 350,000-700,000); and the reference 5531 in pink gold, a world time minute repeater with polychrome enamel dial depicting the Lake of Geneva, which is singled sealed (estimate CHF 900,000-1,800,000).

Rolex

The leading Rolex model in this auction is the reference 6270, an extremely rare yellow gold manual Daytona with lavishly set baguette diamonds and pavé dial. Estimate CHF 1,200,000-2,400,000.

Phillips is also offering an extraordinary reference 6541 Milgauss, originally made for the scientists at CERN. It comes with original guarantee, hang tag, chronometer certificate and preserved in exceptional condition. Estimate CHF 500,000-1,000,000.

Also available is a fresh to market reference 6232 two counter chronograph in pink gold offered by the son of the original owner. This is one of Rolex’s most elusive models as only 12 examples are known. Estimate CHF 150,000-300,000.

Vacheron Constantin

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII will be offering a 222 “Jumbo” in white gold, a previously unknown model. It is the only example known in white gold, as confirmed by the Vacheron Constantin Certificate of Authenticity. Estimate CHF 100,000-200,000.

Audemars Piguet

Phillips is offering an exceptionally well-preserved Audemars Piguet chronograph with full calendar indications in yellow gold, of which only eight examples are known. Estimate CHF 150,000-300,000.

A. Lange & Söhne

A further highlight is the A. Lange & Söhne Platinum Datograph made as a 10-piece limited edition for Milan based retailer Pisa in 2004. This model is the only limited edition Datograph ever made and sits apart from the regular production pieces with its monochrome silver dial. Estimate: CHF 100,000-200,000.

Independent Watchmaking

Once again, Phillips is offering a wide selection of rare, hard-to-find creations from some of the greatest independent watchmakers.

An exceptional highlight includes the Philippe Dufour Grande & Petite Sonnerie pocket watch N°1. Made for Audemars Piguet in the early 1980s, it is the very first watch ever made by Dufour and signed on the top plate under the dial (estimate CHF 400,000-800,000).

The sale will also feature an iconic Simplicity in a white gold 34 mm case (estimate CHF 250,000-500,000).

Also on offer is an original Observatoire watch by Kari Voutilainen housing a fully reworked Peseux 260 caliber (estimate CHF 60,000-120,000).

Phillips is also offering one of the most elusive watches of the past years, the Naissance d’Une Montre 2.

Spearheaded by Robert Greubel & Stephen Forsey of Greubel Forsey and Felix Baumgartner & Martin Frei of Urwerk and undertaken by two young end extremely talented watchmakers (Dominique Buser and Cyrano Devanthey), the Naissance d’Une Montre 2 is a unique white gold wristwatch featuring a constant force regulating system, fully made by hand using traditional techniques.

All of the proceeds from the sale of this lot, including the buyer’s premium, will go to Time Aeon Foundation to help preserve and pass on the art of traditional watchmaking to the next generation of watchmakers (estimate CHF 200,000-400,000).

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

• Session I: 13 May 2023, 2pm
• Session II: 14 May 2023, 2pm
• Location: Hôtel La Réserve, Bellevue, Geneva

Highlight Tour

• New-York: 31 March – 2 April Location: 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
• Hong Kong: 2 – 5 April Location: G/F, WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, No. 8 Austin Road West, Kowloon
• Taipei: 13 – 15 April Location: 12F., Unit B, No.89, Songren Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110
• Singapore: 20-22 April Location: The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Rd, Singapore 247911
• London: 13 – 16 April Location: 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX
• Geneva: 10 – 14 May Location: Hôtel La Réserve, Bellevue, Geneva