Horological Meandering

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Phillips – in Association with Aurel Bacs and Livia Russo – Auction One! Amazing watches!

It has been the auction house news over the winter season. Aurel Bacs departed Christies where he had taken the watches department from a menial $8million to a galactic $130million in less than a decade; a powerhouse in the auction watch market. Bacs set up a consulting company with his wife: Livia Russo and together they now advise clients as well as Phillips. What Phillips now have are the contacts: the ability to contact collectors of all walks of life who may, or perhaps may not, wish to part or acquire watches of note and distinction.


[Lot 91: a Vacheron Constantin stainless steel chronograph with a salmon coloured pulsation dial. Mde in 1947, only 36mm in diameter. Teardrop delineated lugs with that Maltese cross line: clean and perhaps never polished. Quite stunning.]

Aurel Bacs has made it clear from the start that the most important thing about the watches that are offered is authenticity and quality. Not just the quality of the watches, in that they are necessarily rare, but more that the provenance and integrity of the watches are beyond doubt. That, for whatever the budget for the watch, the watch is authentic; that its quality is absolute: from the lowest of estimates to the highest. There are good reasons for doing so. Treating customers with respect; that watches are among the best examples of that type; and simply to build brand loyalty: today’s first time bidder might be tomorrow’s high roller collector.



Because of this central guiding axiom, the first watch catalogue from Phillips (in Association with Bacs and Russo) contains beautiful and authentic vintage watches from the 3000 CHF mark up to the unknown stratosphere. Although I realize I am probably doing myself a disservice with this, the Phillips inaugural watch auction has just about something for everyone in the late nineteenth and twentieth century watch market. When discussing the contents of the auction, Aurel Bacs admitted that the current expertise in the Phillips line-up probably did not favour clocks or earlier watches than the mid-nineteenth century, but then perhaps Phillips did offer an advantage in what they did have! And I have little to argue with there. The watches on offer are a class apart and in some instances will almost surely grab the headlines as new world records are set.

The obvious galactic stars are:







Lot 123 - The Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Reference 130: “The Doctor’s Single Button Chronograph”. One of only two in existence; the other one is displayed in the Patek Museum in Geneva. That leaves one in private hands. Can you imagine what would be the effect on price if a Ferrari (one of two) came up for sale? After being out of the open market for about a decade, and Aurel Bacs sold this one last time around as well, the watch is offered here at Phillips first watch auction. Made in 1927, only 35mm in diameter, it is horology on the highest and most sublime of scale and implementation. The thin and erudite case contains a whole chronograph movement; the dial is the very model of parsimonious representation of what is required: hours, minutes, seconds, and the chronograph read out. Light silver background and black lacquered markings. Apparently, both watches were delivered and sold on the same day: March 24, 1937 by Walser, Wald & Cia (Patek Philippe’s agent in Buenos Aires, Argentina). Legend has it that the two watches were made and sold for two brothers, both of whom were medical doctors.





Lot 214 – Rolex Stainless Steel Reference 6263 “The Oyster Albino”. This time, a comparatively available one of four pieces in existence; but with the added bonus that this was once the property of Sir Eric Clapton, well known watch collector, and also handy (so they say) with a guitar. Named the “Albino” for the obvious reason that the dial is all white (well, silver), but there are no black subdials. Given the success of Aurel Bac’s “Rolex Daytona – Lesson One” (http://www.christies.com/sales/important-watches-geneva-november-2013/rolex-daytona.aspx ) where the Daytona, ref. 6263/6239, Paul Newman (Case No: 2197870) realized over a million dollars (including premium), and where it was believed there may have been ten examples of that particular piece, I am fairly certain that this watch will provide a new record for us all to be astounded by. Eric Clapton’s association with the watch is a minor element, where the watch will score will be from Daytona collectors, the same that populated the room in the last auction, who will want to add this to their collection and have the means to see it through. Given the placement of this watch towards the end of the auction, I am sure that bidding will be fierce and the auction room will have a tense and electric atmosphere.



Not all the watches on offer were brought over for the London showing. Something of a shame as there are some I am genuinely interested in which were not there to inspect. I would suggest, if you are interested, you go online and take a look.

Of the watches that caught my eye, whether in the room or in the catalogue (in no particular order what so ever – neither by importance or price):

Lot 80: Omega, ref.2367 Chronometre in 18k pink gold. Just beautiful! Everything you would ever want from a vintage wrist watch. Made in 1948 around the time when Omega were taking on the might of Patek and Rolex in the Observatory trials. The movement in the Omega is free-sprung, and rose gold plated. The case lines are crisp, probably never polished, and the silver toned dial (with rose gold markers) is a joy to behold. The watch is the very embodiment of Bacs’ belief that the authenticity of the watch is paramount, irrespective of the projected price point. And this is a stunning example!

Lot 195: Tag Heuer Ref 1133 Monaco. A stunning example! Crisp lines on the case, a fitted presentation box, and dial colours that are still vivid. In fact, the watch’s condition is mint to the point that the original Heuer sticker is still on the case back.





Lot 197: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Aqua-Lung. I have rarely seen one in this condition. Both case and luminova are in exemplary condition. Somewhat unusual is the “1000 feet” being listed on the dial, and showing at the time, the leading depth rating that the Blancpain enjoyed. On the Nato strap, it looks as modern and avant-garde today as it did in 1954 when the watch was first made.





Lot 163: Patek Worldtime Ref 1514; formerly the property of Robert Stack. Once again, the celebrity association is really a minor part of the price placed upon such a watch. Within the auction scene, Patek Worldtimes’ are one of the more sought after models. There is something imaginary and imaginary about place names and places that no longer exist. As if legendary lands that once were, that had a place in time, are now gone. This example belonged to a Hollywood television legend; but apart from that, the watch is a horological gem. Manufactured in 1939, the watch measures a modest 31mm in diameter, but yet contains the highest and most sublime of horology. This example is in exemplary condition: the names are clear on the beze, the tear drop lugs, and the dial are clean and crisp. On the wrist, the smaller size does nothing to lessen the impact of the watch on the wrist. A watch does not need to be the size of a hockey puck to have presence!





Lot 210: Rolex Ref. 971 Prince Brancard in platinum. I can honestly say that I have never seen a vintage Rolex Prince in this condition before. Hard to believe that it was manufactured eighty years ago in 1935, the case lines and dial are almost as new. Perhaps because of the platinum case, the watch lines are crisp and are likely to have not been polished or polished lightly. The dial has almost no sign of wear. Likewise, I have not seen “Observatory” on the dial before and was perhaps a portent of what was to come in the 1940’s when Rolex submitted movements en masse for Observatory trials (of which the Kew ‘A’ was the most famous example). The Rolex Prince housed high quality chronometer movements but with the rise of the Oyster models, and the automatic movements, they were phased out.





Lot 224: Patek Philippe Ref. 3448 in white gold. Out of the 586 examples of this watch made, most were made with a yellow gold case, and a few in white gold. This example was probably the penultimate: the 585th example made. It is also the last lot of the auction! In brilliant condition: crisp case lines where the hallmarks on the case are untouched, faultless dial in original condition, and a weight and presence on the wrist that is near perfect. I believe something of sleeper in terms of valuation. I think this might raise eyebrows at the end.

And finally….





Lot 79: Rolex: The General Sweeney Ref 6062. Extremely rare black lacquered dial. From 1951. For any heavy hitting Rolex collector out there. Provenance is undoubted having been the property of U.S. General Sweeney. To add to the “wow” factor, the watch comes with full boxes and papers, including its original timing certificate. Will probably get close to, and may even cross, the seven figure mark. Not only rarity, but historic importance. But then, that’s Rolex!





Lot 148: There are few watches that are so well known, so sought after, and so loved. Few are in such authentic and stunning condition as this one. The "blue chip" watch investment of the last twenty years: the Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Ref. 6263 in stainless steel; affectionately referred to as "Panda" due to the look. From 1971: but retaining the mk1 pushers and bezel. I just loved this one!

This was just a selection on my part as a taste of what is on offer. My strongest advice, if you do not have a paper copy, is to look at the online version. I should also, at this point, congratulate Paul Boutros for some outstanding photography in the catalogue.
I wish all at Phillips every success with the auction. I am sure it will make headlines.

To those bidding: the very best of luck!

Andrew H This message has been edited by 219 on 2015-04-27 03:25:01 This message has been edited by amanico on 2015-05-02 02:41:28

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