The auction of collectible watches, as expected, recorded excellent results for a total of CHF 21.183.160 | $ 25.182.511, with 92% of sales per lot and 44% of sales above estimate. The most expensive lot was a signed Richard Mille, RM27-01 Rafael Nadal, which sold for CHF 1.255.000 | $1.491.942. Among the most expensive vintage lots was the 14K gold Rolex reference 6264 Paul Newman “John Player Special” which reached CHF 1.008.000 | $ 1.198.309 – although their existence was known, very few people have ever seen or handled one. The Cartier Crash Model, ref. 4131, a special order in beautiful white gold with a nickel-grey dial and previously unknown to the market, sparked a fierce bidding war that lasted over 5 minutes, before being sold to a telephone bidder who won this splendid watch for CHF 756.000 | $ 898.732, five times its pre-sale low estimate.
Vintage but quality for the Millennial and Z Generation
Global bids and purchases came from 57 countries, with 40% of registrants coming from EMEA, 30% from the US and 30% from Asia. 28% of new customers were onboarded, while 37% of all customers were from Millennial Generation or Generation Z. There has been a strong demand for high-quality vintage watches, as well as creations by independent watchmakers. There was great energy in the lounge at the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, as well as in the telephone and online conversations. Rare Watches also presented a selection of Stories in Time: A Collection of Exceptional Watches, representing the culmination of 30 years of passion and dedication to the acquisition of the rarest timepieces, curated by an illustrious private collector.
Unique example of Maestro GC39 Remaster
Other notable results include an exclusive Maestro GC39 Remaster, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Gerald Charles, who auctioned this unique piece with Australian fire opal dial with jumping hours and decorated with Meta-guilloché. The watch was sold for CHF 85.000 | $ 102.000, whose proceeds will benefit “Action Innocence”, a foundation dedicated to the protection of children, adolescents and people with special needs who navigate the digital world. The auction also offered two wristwatches Audemars Piguet Unique Quantieme Perpetual ref. 25786BA, one with baguette-cut emeralds, sold for CHF 592.200 | $ 704.007, and the other with rubies, sold for CHF 378.000 | $ 449.366.