On 11 and 12 May, the "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" auction will be held at the Hotel Beau Rivage in Geneva, organized by Antiquorum Auctioneer, the only auction house in the world to deal solely with the sale of watches and related material fine watchmaking.

On May 11th at 14 pm an important will be beaten English collection of table and pocket watches, and an unprecedented collection of IWC watches. On May 12th, from 10 am at the same location, the main auction sale will be held in which one of the most memorable selections of Rolex Daytona and a superb collection of Patek Philippe contemporaries.

For this occasion we have decided to select some of the almost 700 present in the catalog, which in our opinion represent real rarities or which could simply prove to be excellent purchases to enter the world of collecting.

IWC MARK XII REF. 3241 Platinum

This special IWC Mark XII is a true rarity. Case in platinum, blue dial, it is equipped with the Jaegerl-LeCoultre 884/2 movement unlike the ETA movements found in the more common Marks. Model No. 125/500, this reference is considered by enthusiasts to be the last real pilot produced by IWC. Lot 120, estimated at 4,000 to 6,000 CHF

IWC 'Da Vinci' Perpetual Calendar REF. 3750

This timepiece is of considerable importance not only to IWC, but to the entire watch industry. In the midst of the mechanical watchmaking crisis due to the advent of quartz movements, in 1985 IWC presented the 'Da Vinci' 3750 at the Basel Motor Show, achieving unexpected success and effectively marking a new beginning for the entire sector. The 3750 contained in fact all the most challenging complications of those last decades. Elegant and charming watch, at a very attractive market price. Lot 111, estimated at 5,000 to 7,000 CHF.

PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3974 Perpetual Calendar and Minute Repeater

This splendid Patek Philippe is remembered as one of the most complicated watches ever created by the Geneva fashion house. Launched on the occasion of the 150th anniversary, in 1989, this model is capable of combining the minute repeater, perpetual calendar and moon phases at the same time. The 3974 case was created by the famous cassist Jean-Pierre Hagmann, whose initials are engraved on the handle on the back side. Lot 725, estimated at 300,000 to 400,000 CHF.

Patek Philippe Ref.5905P Annual Calendar, Chronograph

Presented in 2015 on 5905P has become one of the most sought after watches by collectors. The blue dial with the three openings between 10 and 14 - which respectively indicate the day of the week, date and month - is housed in the 42 mm diameter platinum case. A small size if we consider the complications of this timepiece: annual calendar and chronograph with 60-minute counter. A modern, elegant watch, superb in its mechanics and practical in use, which well represents the DNA of Patek Philippe. Lot 550, estimated at 40,000 to 60,000CHF. 

PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5060 AQUANAUT PROTOTYPE

Introduced in Basel in 1997, the Aquanaut was a real revolution in the Patek Philippe family of sports watches. The first reference, the 5060A, with tapisserie dial, luminous indexes and steel case was equipped with a rubber strap and closed bottom. The model that will be auctioned is in fact a pre-series never commercialized, produced a year before the launch of the Aquanaut. In fact, on the dial we find the inscription “Prototype” in addition to the power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock. This last function has never been introduced on the Aquanaut models.Lot 726, estimated at 50,000 to 80,000CHF. 

ROLEX 1655, EXPLORER II 'STEVE MCQUEEN'

The Rolex 1655 known by many as the Rolex "Steve McQueen", although there is no clear evidence that 'The King of Cool "ever wore it (unlike the 5512 he wore regularly), was introduced by Rolex in the 1971. Unlike many models presented by the crowned house, it was not immediately appreciated, however it is today one of the most coveted references by collectors. The 24-hour hand, called “Freccione”, should not be confused with the GMT one but is used - with the aid of the fixed bezel - by explorers to distinguish day from night in places without natural light. The specimen proposed by Antiquorum is in excellent condition and comes with its box, the guarantee of the time, in addition to the 1991 service guarantee. Lot 730, is estimated at 20,000 to 30,000 CHF.

ROLEX DAYTONA REF. 6263, BIG RED

Introduced in 1963 and considered by many to be one of the most beautiful watches in the world, the Rolex Daytona 6263 is arguably one of the most iconic watches in watchmaking history, as well as the most desired by collectors. We are talking about one of the last Daytonas produced by Rolex before the subsequent configuration with reference 16520 with Zenith El Primero movement. State-of-the-art chrono buttons, Triplock crown and 'Big Red' dial, the model to be beaten by Antiquorum was published in Guido Mondani's book-encyclopedia “Daytona Gallery”. Lot 683, is estimated at 50,000 to 80,000 CHF.

ROLEX Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” REF. 6240

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6240, serial no. 1'298'366 with Paul Newman dial from around 1966. This watch was born with a dial exotic, remained unsold for a long time at the dealership, until he decided to equip it with the iconic dial bearing the name of the Hollywood star.

Three-body case in polished and satin-finished steel, screw-down case back and crown, black bezel with tachymeter scale, screw-down chronograph pushers, plastic glass. Self-winding movement caliber 722- Steel Oyster link bracelet with Rolex folding clasp. Diam. Mm 37. The watch comes with its original box and guarantee. Lot 500 it is estimated at 200,000 to 400,000 CHF.

For more details Antiquorum.swiss