Serious grail-seekers are gearing up for the latest Exclusive Timepieces auction held by Monaco Legend Group on the 22nd and 23rd April – and the three delectable pieces before you are among those going under the hammer.
The Rolex Yacht-Master, made entirely from platinum, is a prototype ordered by the Heinigers – the father and son duo who helmed the company from 1964 to 2008 – to commemorate the 10 millionth chronometer movement. “The watch is made of the rarest of metals with an incredible unique dial and it comes with outstanding provenance directly from the family that marked the history of the Rolex company,” says Monaco Legend Group Chairman Davide Parmegiani. “Compare this to the $17 million (£13.7 million) paid for the Paul Newman, which was solely for the provenance that it was Mr Newman’s watch; this is a Rolex made by the chairmen of the company for their family and a unique piece that was never offered for sale. For me this is something really incredible.”
Meanwhile, only 15 examples were made of the Patek Philippe World Time reference 2523/1, in yellow with two-crown case – and the whereabouts of only 10 pieces is known. Being offered up to a lucky third owner (the original owner purchased it in 1968 and sold it at auction in 2013), the watch remains in astonishingly good condition – and through care, rather than intervention. “This Word Time is an incredible example that has probably never been restored or the case polished,” says Parmegiani. “The fact that this watch still has its original papers really shows that it was cherished and really taken care of by the previous owners. The back of the watch is untouched, the edge of the bezel is astonishing, as are the lugs.”
Finally, another Patek offering: a Nautilus reference 3700 in white gold, that has resided in the collection of veteran fine timepiece collector John Goldberger for over two decades. One of three examples specially ordered by Sultan Qaboos of Oman, who reined from 1970 until his death in 2020, its dial depicts the Khanjar (crossed swords of the type once used by Omani militia). “Of the three pieces that are known,” says Parmegiani, “I would say without a doubt that this is the best preserved, and offers an incredible opportunity for collectors of issued watches or indeed those with a particular focus on Patek Philippe’s most iconic sports watch.”
At last October’s Exclusive Timepieces auction, a probably unique Patek Philippe dual crown world time in yellow gold with Tiffany & Co stamp sold for €2.88 million (£2.55 million), whilst another co-branded gem – a yellow gold Rolex Daytona reference 6265, also with Tiffany & Co stamp – fetched €825,000 (£730,000). Daytonas generally performed admirably: a yellow gold example (reference 6264, with Paul Newman dial), the so-called “John Player Special” edition – a reference to the gold cigarette brand once seen on black Lotus formula 1 cars – went for €1.42 million (£1.25 million).
Previews take place on Thursday 20th (11:00 am to 8:00 pm), Friday 21st (10:30 am to 8 pm) and Saturday 22nd April (10:30 am to 12:30 pm)
