Antiquorum is known for very large catalogues. Thankfully this one is only 559 lots.
There is usually something nice for everyone. This year is no exception. I found four interesting watches that deserve to be highlighted (admittedly none of them are below CHF 10’000 – so my four choices are not for every single type of budget sadly). One is a rare day-date given by the Shah of Persia. The other two are collectible vintage watch models with awesome tropical dials. The last watch is a killer 1930s Patek chronograph in pink gold with black dial. Let us get right into it.
(Credit: All pictures – J Schaerer).
Lot 138: A 1961 Rolex Ref 1807 Day date Stella red dial ‘Shah of Iran’
For lovers of history and important statesmen (hint: I am one of them) this watch will have your heart beating faster.
First the watch itself is rare and collectible. A pink gold early day date ref 1807 with red Stella dial is attractive on its own. However the background of this watch is even more impressive. The Shah of Iran gifted this watch to the PM of Greece, Papadopoulos, when he took charge of power in a coup d’état in 1967. The engraving can be seen nicely on the back of this watch.
I expect this will go to either a historian (with a lot of money) or a Greek or Iranian collector. Estimate is CHF 15-20’000.
The nice engraving that details for who the watch was for and by whom it was gifted. There is also what appears to be an Iranian Emblem below.
Lot 270: A 1975 Royal Oak Audemars Piguet A series
For sure one of the most collectible watches in the entire Antiquorum catalogue. A cool A series Royal Oak Jumbo Audemars with nice brown dial. Not only is this Royal Oak rare in itself, but the watch has turned tropical with the dial an even brown. What makes this watch even more outstanding is that it comes with the original warranty, instruction booklet (when is the last time you have seen one of those) and spare service dial.
The watch was bought new at Gübelin, an important Swiss retailer in Switzerland (see picture below).
This fine early Royal Oak is estimated at CHF 25’000 -35’000. I think the estimate will just be a starting bid. This will go higher. Much higher.
Notice the rare guarantee paper confirming this watch was bought at Gübelin in 1975 on Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse.
Lot 309: A 1938 Patek ref 533 in pink gold with black dial
On its own, the Ref 533, is a collectible chronograph from Patek, very similar to the 130: same size, same pushers (except the flat bezel).
The 533 is most often found in gold (with a white dial). Pink gold 533 (as is the watch below) is more rare and much seldom seen. When it is a pink gold and black dial, well then this is an entirely different ballgame. This watch is confirmed by the archives from Patek that it was born with a black dial. I don’t remember a pink gold 533 with black dial ever come to the market (according to Antiquorum – this watch was bought at auction 12 years ago and since then – the watch has sat in a safe).
Notice the long signature Patek Philippe & Co which is absolutely correct for the model (remember it is end 1930’s).
I think it is a handsome watch, masculine with the square pushers and the pink gold case with black dial really makes the dial stand out. The only caveat: at 33mm might be too small for many collectors.
Estimate is CHF CHF 100 – 150’000. This watch will be worth watching very very closely.
Lot 559: A 1961 Rolex 6238 with Tropical dial (and dial variation of 6234).
To clarify- first things first – this watch is a Rolex 6238 case but fitted with a 6234 dial.
This fine Rolex chronograph comes from the original owner who was a Swiss aircraft engineer who moved to Brazil for ten years (which might explain why the dial turned color). I personally have a weak spot for multi scale dials and the 6234 dial is one of my all time favourite. This watch started with a black glossy gilt dial (a rare variant as many were issued with white dials), but with time has turned into a gorgeous tropical brown, consistent in color throughout the dial.
According to Julien, the Antiquorum MD, it is the best example he has ever held in his hand. Plain and simple.
The dial seems virtually flawless and in very nice condition. Talk about a perfect chemical reaction. The watch will undoubtedly attract interest and is estimated at CHF 50-80’000.
Let us see how this watch looks on the wrist. Not bad at all I would say.
For the entire Antiquorum Geneva November auction catalogue please see here.
