With the top highlights of Rolex already covered for Phillips in May, we now move to the other heavyweight in the vintage world. Patek.

In my opinion this sale has many outstanding Patek ‘s on offer for the real connoisseur that is not only interested in the usual blue chips from Patek (like 1518, 2499, 530 etc).

There are some extremely interesting watches on offer from the elusive 2570/1 in pink gold (I buy a bottle of my favourite champagne Blanc de Blancs to the dealer who can find me another one with original certificate) to the 2551 disco volante with black dial and diamonds in 18k white gold (you won’t find another one anytime soon – I buy a bottle of magnum Blanc de Blancs who can find me another one for sale)*. A pink gold 1436 split is also included – these three watches don’t turn up for sale everyday and the collector has a good chance to buy some very rare watches for a low six figure.

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First up a watch that ‘puts most other chronograph watches to shame‘ according to Aurel Bacs. A Patek Ref 530 in Gold with Breguet numerals.

Now connoisseurs of Patek will quickly say that the 530 is awesome for a variety of reasons not least of which is because of the great case size 36.5mm – in fact the 530 is the largest vintage chronograph to come out of the house of Patek. If you know your 530 you will understand that 530s have been all the rage lately, fetching a whopping CHF 600’000 in 2015 and over CHF 1m in 2016 (both were time-only versions and in steel).

This 530 chronograph from Phillips is, according to Aurel, unpolished, untouched and unrestored.

The estimate of this watch is CHF 300- 600’000. Look at the case and side profile of this watch. Simply beautiful.

The watch from the front.

The last picture of the 530- that gives perhaps the best view of the dial. You also notice how the strong the case seems.

We move to another great Patek legend: the 1436 split seconds chronograph.

This 1946 Patek  Ref 1436 is interesting because it is pink on pink, so pink gold case with pink gold dial. This watch is not only beautiful but comes with – get this – the original certificate and the original invoice! How cool is that – this is 70 years ago!

Many collectors complain that the watch is too small in size at 33mm – but it fits me like a glove. See picture. The estimate is CHF 350 – 550’000.

We move to another übercool Patek which is perhaps my favourite watch out of all the Pateks on offer. A hyper rare 2551 black dial with diamonds in white gold.

Many collectors may be familiar with the 2552 disco volante but less so with the 2551 (also known as the disco volante). From my understanding they share the same case and same movement (the early ones at least) but with one small difference: The 2551 has rigged lugs and the 2552 does not! (Thank you John Reardon for helping me on this). Both the 2552 and 2551 have the wonderful and legendary 12-600AT movement, Pateks first automatic movement. 

The case is a wonderful so called ‘stepped’ case by Wenger with integrated PP crown.

Another nice view of the crown and case profile. A dream watch. What sets this watch apart from the others of course is the black dial with diamond markers. Apparently only 9 pieces of this watch were ever made and already in 1958 cost a staggering CHF 2255.

The estimate of this rare and exclusive timepiece is CHF 80 – 140’000. I could not resist a wrist – shot of this dream reference and watch.

Let us continue with another legend from a 1967 Patek a Ref 3448 Gübelin signed dial.  

From the dial we can tell it is an early series (most likely second) with pearl or bead minute markers. What makes this watch special, besides the fact that it is a perpetual calendar, is that it comes with the original certificate, which is of course is a rarity in itself. Estimate for this watch is CHF 100- 150,000.

Not only Rolex made a GMT dual time watch, Patek also made one and it remains sought after by collectors today. The Ref 2597.

This watch below is signed Tiffany & Co which is an added bonus. This watch is a first series 2597 without the third hand (which is less sought after by collectors). The watch is fresh to the market and never been offered before, and completely original and unrestored. The estimate of this fine Patek is CHF 70 -120’000.

Staying with Tiffany & Co we have what is for many collectors an absolute highlight.

A worldtime 2523-1 Patek with the double signature on the dial. Estimate of this watch is CHF 900’000 – 1.8m. It appears that this very watch sold for CHF 900’000 back in 2008 at Christies – see here. Only nine pieces of this reference are known in all case metals and dial variations and this is the only one signed Tiffany & Co. A two crown world time is for many collectors the pinnacle of Patek collecting – this watch can rightly be called a trophy asset (even without the cloisonné Enamel map).

This Patek will delight Nautilus lovers around the world: A Jumbo 3700 where the dial has turned sunset orange / brown. Estimate of this watch is CHF 40 – 80’000.

Maybe this picture captures the dial a little better even.

The last Patek we choose as a stand out watch is this hyper rare Patek 2570/1. 

Most people are familiar with the 3417 – the popular tool watch that Patek made for scientists. But very few collectors are aware of the successor reference. We wrote about it last year in case you want to read the details. This 2570/1 comes from a private collector in outstanding shape and also come with original certificate. Notice how the crown goes slightly into the case – indicating to this watch being the more rare 2570/1 rather than the 2570. There are only 7 known Pink gold versions known with only 3 of them having the Amagnetic script on the dial and this is only known version with original certificate.

The estimate of this trophy watch is CHF 50-100,000. This watch will be snapped up by a Patek connoisseur in no time. Just look at this wristshot.

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My sincere thank you to Phillips watches for allowing me to preview these wonderful watches.

*I hope Phillips watches is kind enough to share the cost – should I lose the bet.