Phillips watches has just released their two catalogues for Geneva in November. I always take a keen interest as they are still the leading auction house for vintage watches.
I have not seen the watches so instead of recommending what to look out for and buy – I am going to do something different. I thought I would share my favourite pictures from their two catalogues and add some text where necessary. Instead of pointing out the watch and lot number – I let you go through the catalogue online and discover the images for yourself as Phillips did a great job in their photography once again.
I especially like that in their online catalogue – most watches have a wrist shot in the last picture in the end. I find this extremely helpful as watches can look great on pictures but less on the wrist and vice versa.
These are the images and watches that caught my eye. All picture credit Phillips watches.
I start with one of the best hallmarks I have ever seen, at least on pictures. I just say it belongs to a time only Patek pink on pink. This lot will be fought after fiercely.
The next lot is a watch I show from the front. It will be the only watch I show in full – simply because of its beauty.
The dial seems untouched, unrestored and the watch in just superb general condition. The lume plots all in-tact against a white lacquer dial. I used to not like gold hands on a steel watch but now, I am more educated and wiser and have changed my mind on this. I can’t wait to look at this more closely in person. I think the JCK is undervalued (especially relative to Daytona watches) and will in the future be recognised as one of the all time great Rolex watches and have an according price.
Back to more discrete pictures- this next watch is very common(in terms of reference) except that it is rare in the metal that Phillips shows us, which is white gold.
I love the signature and the line going through the signature too (there is purpose for the line). I can’t wait to see this watch in person.
The next lot is equally untouched condition with a superb case.
I generally prefer this reference in gold, but this is too good not to show. I can imagine this will also be fiercely fought after by Rolex collectors.
I love the next picture of the contrast of the black dial and brown lume plots. Don’t you love the lume plot at the outer scale of 80?
The Rolex below belongs to the pinnacle of Rolex collecting. Black lacquer dial in steel watches in Ref 6234 are just hyper rare. What to pay attention to is always the Swiss signature and that it corresponds to the reference number of the watch and also case year.
This watch might be overlooked due its square shape and relatively common reference.
However, the watch is super rare in white gold. The added bonus is the Gobbi signature. The movement is none other than the legendary 27-460 with gold rotor. Again, I cannot wait to see this watch in person. I can picture John Goldberger wearing this watch perfectly even if its only 31mm in size.
I remember when this watch was sold like yesterday.
It was 2012 and I was still an amateur in all things vintage Rolex. But even I recognised the beauty of this watch back then. The stelline is one of the all time great Rolex watches.
I love engravings on watches. The two different font types are a delight in the engraving below.
They just often tell a story and collecting vintage watches is most often ‘about the story‘ of the watch. I also love this reference and it is completely out of favour at the moment. A good opportunity for a cunning collector to snap up a treasure.
The next watch below is one of my favourite time only watches. I find it masculine, sporty and extremely elegant. This one delights in a great case and nice double signature.
Can you guess what reference I am talking about?
The last picture shows details of a movement. With double signed dials – it is important to sometimes have the correct markings on the movements.
If the timepiece was sold in America, the likely retailers name begins with a ‘T’ and the markings of ROW are correct.
Looking forward to see you all in Geneva in November.
