Auction Alert Phillips watches: To offer Rolex Milestone sale in HK
Fine WatchesEventsBy now you probably have heard the rumours or have seen a few of the watches on Instagram already.
Phillips watches is offering this November a Rolex themed sale in Hong Kong called: Rolex Milestones – 38 legendary watches that shaped Rolex history.
It will be curated by none other than John Goldberger. For those that received the Phillips watches Geneva November auction catalogue and had the time to read it to the end, they will have already seen an advert on Page 371. A total of 38 Rolex watches will be offered.
I have not seen any of them yet in person but have received these 8 pictures which I would like to share with you.
Please note I am just sharing the Rolex watches pictures I received. I have no strong opinion on the condition of the watches yet as I have not inspected them. My comments on the condition of the watches come from Phillips lot notes and my own judgement from relying on the pictures only.
In a few weeks when I have had time to look at some if not all of the watches – I will choose my top 5. Here are 8 Rolex watches confirmed by Phillips watches to be in the Rolex Milestone HK sale in November.
(NB: Credit all pictures Phillips watches).
We start with one of two complicated models (time only) that Rolex made. A 1950 Rolex 8171 in steel.
The 8171 (also known as Padellone among collectors) is one of two complicated Rolex models ever made. According to Goldberger this watch remains untouched with a sharp case with all case numbers legible on the back. The dial remains free from any imperfections and is completely original.
Looking at the picture I cannot help but to agree with Goldberger’s comments. The lugs look full and sharp. The dial looks exactly like it should on a superb all original example – I have seen enough of these dials lately to say with confidence – this is a superb one.
Phillips sold one earlier this year (in similar condition) for CHF 905’000. The Rolex world will be watching this one closely.
For another example of a stainless steel reference 8171, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 77.
The next Rolex that will be included in sale is one of my favourite Rolex models of all time. It is the stunning 1952 Rolex 6062 Oyster with star dial.
The 6062 was launched at the Basel fair in 1950, and was the first automatic wristwatch with date and moon phases housed in a waterproof case (source Phillips watches foot notes). As to the condition of this watch – the lume dots are intact as can be seen from this picture – and the dial remains free from any imperfections and in exceptional condition. What is also noticeable on this picture – the Rolex winding crown with the writing Rolex Super Oyster is correct and nice detail to have that is often missing on these watches.
I personally love the 6062 for various reasons 1) It is a two tone dial by nature 2) Rolex 6062 Oysters are among the very few watches to have a moon phase with a face on them 3) it is the most elegant but yet sporty watch Rolex ever made.
In terms of the desirability Star dials remain among the top of collectability (see more info on 6062 and desirability here).
This watch is a personal favourite of my mine and will attract very strong interest. I do believe that these watches are still undervalued (especially relative to the Daytona) – one must not forget that only very few of these watches were ever made (only 3-400 pieces). It is my firm belief that it is only a matter of time before all 6062 models in top condition are million dollar watches.
The estimate for this watch is $310 – 620’000.
For another example of a yellow gold reference 6062 with star-dial, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 89.
We move on to chronographs. A 1971 Rolex 6263 Panda with exotic or Paul Newman dial and with brown outer minute track.
A similar watch was sold this year at Phillips for at the Start stop chronograph auction earlier this year for CHF 929’000. This watch comes with the original guarantee, making it arguably even more collectible. This watch features a Mark II dial according to Phillips (Mark II dials have sharper serifs). Additionally the watch features its original Mark I pushers.
What makes this watch even more outstanding is the original punched guarantee papers from South America dated December 1974.
Among all Daytona’s with screw down pushers, the Panda is my personal favorite (the brown outer ring is just the icing on the cake). It is timeless, masculine and just a very attractive watch. This is going to be another epic bidding battle worth watching.
For another example of a reference 6263 Paul Newman ‘Panda’, please see Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, page 349.
Staying with Chronographs, next up is a 1969 Rolex 6263 exotic dial or Paul Newman.
This watch features the very rare and elusive Oyster Sotto dial which is considered the non plus ultra for Rolex Daytona collectors. According to Phillips less than 20 examples ever appeared on the market. All luminous dots remain in-tact and the watch retains also the original mark I millerighe pushers. Earlier this year Phillips sold another Oyster Sotto but with tropical dial for CHF 1.985million.
It will be interesting to see what this watch will achieve. If history is any indication – this watch will be fiercely fought after.
For another example of a reference 6263 ‘Oyster Sotto’, please Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, page 344.
Next up is this rare 1975 Rolex 6263 with UAE coat of Arms dial.
This watch is also known as the UAE desert Eagle, with the watch signed and made for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (the current ruler of Dubai). According to Phillipswatches, ‘Rolex watches have long been favored by Sheiks, army officials and the ruling party in the Middle East. It comes as no surprise that these timepieces were also their gift of choice, particularly in the 1970s. During this time, Rolex received a number of special orders for dials featuring the coat of arms, or the names of the royal family’.
This watch is all correct and only one serial number from the other UAE coat of Arms that sold at Start stop reset that sold for CHF 605’000 in May earlier this year.
A similar example is prominently illustrated in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, page 400.
We move on to Rolex sportswatches with this 1972 Rolex 1665 sea dweller made for the Sultan of Oman.
As one would expect with a watch made for the Sultan- this watch carries the much sought after dial, the Khanjar symbol, part of the national symbol of Oman. This watch furthermore comes with the original guarantee and original box and was retailed (as often was by these special Royal orders) by Asprey in London. The Asprey stamp is also found on the case back of this watch.
According to Goldberger the condition of this watch is superb and all correct.
For another example of a reference 1665 with ‘Khanjar’ dial, please see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 218.
The next Rolex is clearly my personal favourite in terms of the model. It is a 1960 Rolex 6234 predaytona.
The 6234 with the multi-scale dial that includes a tachymeter and telemeter dial is 100% my taste. This watch originally came with black lacquer dial which is has turned brown with time. Black lacquer dials are sought after by collectors and when they turn brown it is a true marvel – as with this watch. According to Goldberger all the luminous dots remain in-tact on this watch.
Having studied many dials of the 6234 recently (I am writing an in-depth report on the 6234 Rolex series as we speak) – I can only agree with Goldberger on his comments on condition here. The dial appears to be exceptional and free of any imperfections whatsoever (again judging only from the pictures). The dial signed only Swiss is absolutely correct for a watch of this period (1960). So are the dagger hands and the Valjoux movement 72A.
This watch will no doubt attract much interest. (This very watch is illustrated in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, page 87).
We save the most complicated Rolex for last. The 1951 Rolex 6036 also known as the Jean Claude Killy.
Rolex made very few triple calendar chronographs and they become even more sought after when they are cased in Pink Gold. This watch comes with a dial that is furthermore signed with the famous Venezuelan retailer Serpico & Laino. According to Goldberger – this watch has never been offered before at an auction and is in exceptional condition. The dial all original and two tone in appearance. The case shows all hallmarks present and the case back still the reference number, and case maker Spillmann SA engraved on the back.
The watch comes with a Gay Freres bracelet and is also stamped S&L on the clasp. This Killy also comes with the original guarantee.
Along with the 6062 and the 6234 this has to be among my favourite Rolex models Phillips is offering – simply due to the complication (it is a chronograph and triple calendar) as well as extreme elegance of this pink gold case. This watch is for a true connoisseur and sophisticated Rolex collector – and I hope it lands into a world class collection.
It is a trophy watch in my opinion.
For a smililar 6036 in pink gold see Goldbergers 100 superlative Rolex book page Nr 154.
Concluding remarks
I have only seen (on pictures) about one third of what Phillips is offering in their HK sale.
With Goldberger curating the sale and this being a Phillips watches auction, it is no surprise that the watches I have seen are very strong. This post only confirms this fact: Phillips again got out their big guns.
This post was designed to give you a sneak peek of what you should expect in terms of quality and style out of Phillips watches in the coming weeks as we learn more about the special Rolex milestone sale in HK.
So far it is safe to say, I do like what I see. Stay tuned.
(Special thank you to Aurel Bacs for his patience and professionalism).
