Fratello’s Top 5 Recently Auctioned Watches — Featuring Patek Philippe, Rolex, And Cartier
Last weekend was a big one for the renowned auction houses. All the famous ones in Geneva had incredibly impressive timepieces under the hammer. Some amazing watches, including rare or unique vintage ones, were in the avalanche of timepieces we saw for sale at the yearly spring auctions. We went through the different results and picked our favorite auctioned watches that stand out not because of their prices but because we love them. It’s as simple as that. Here is our list of five favorites from the recent auctions, including the Monaco Legend Exclusive Timepieces auction that took place a few weeks ago.
Image: Monaco Legend Auctions
Auctioned Watch #1: Rolex ref. 4113 — €3,284,000
You knew this was coming. How could we not start with John Goldberger’s Rolex ref. 4113 auctioned during Monaco Legend Auctions’ Exclusive Timepieces event? This is the ultra-rare Rolex that Goldberger popped open with a cheese knife he’d just wiped on his jacket during a conversation with Ben Clymer in a legendary episode of Talking Watches. Rolex produced only 12 pieces of this 44mm stainless steel split-seconds chronograph in the 1940s. Of the 12, only nine are known to the public today.
Image: Monaco Legend Auctions
Therefore, this is one of the rarest Rolex watches currently out there and a grail for Rolex collectors. A remarkable fact is that the dials of the different ref. 4113s are slightly different. As a result, every single story of each of the 4113s is interesting and it makes this reference somewhat of an enigma. Goldberger’s ref. 4113 features a tachymeter and a telemeter scale that is believed to have been blue but gracefully discolored over time, bringing some nuance to the beautiful dial.
Image: Monaco Legend Auctions
At the heart of this rare watch is the Valjoux 55 VBR caliber. This column-wheel chronograph movement was for pocket watches and measures 39mm in diameter, which explains the large 44mm case. Especially in the 1940s, this was a huge watch. But it’s also very slim to help make it wearable.
Image: Monaco Legend Auctions
Whether the new owner will wear this fantastic acquisition is a mystery. We know that Monaco Legend Auctions pulled in €3,284,000 for the watch and the case opener/cheese knife that Goldberger got from a fan. While the knife is a fun prop, this special timepiece is seriously cool, so we thought we should kick off our list of recently auctioned watches with it.
Image: Phillips
Auctioned Watch #2: Patek Philippe ref. 3970/2 — CHF 203,200
Our second pick is one of the many Patek Philippe watches that were auctioned. The Genevan brand has created an abundance of different pieces that are sought after by collectors. We picked the brilliant Patek Philippe ref. 3970/2 in platinum, lot 89 from Phillips’ The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection. The Patek ref. 3970 was introduced in 1986 as the successor to the legendary ref. 2499.
Image: Phillips
With the introduction of the reference, the brand switched from a Valjoux to a Lemania-based movement. The watch also got leap-year and 24-hour indicators for the first time. Some of you might know that Eric Clapton used to own a white gold version with a salmon dial that was auctioned in 2016.
Image: Phillips
We love this piece because it is executed in platinum, creating an almost understated presence. I said “almost” because the stunning integrated platinum bracelet has a show-off factor that is hard to match. The watch was available in yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum. Patek Philippe produced a total of 4,000 pieces, but the platinum ones are the rarest by far.
Image: Phillips
This example came with two different dials to make it even more special. The first is the standard white one that gives the watch a super stylish neo-vintage appeal. But to make the story of this watch unique, the new owner also got a super nice salmon dial with diamond indices. That dial was supplied by the watch’s previous owner and fitted by Patek Philippe, giving the watch two cool and distinct looks.
Image: Phillips
Auctioned Watch #3: Cartier Crash ref. WGCH0037 — CHF 298,450
Let’s jump on the hype for our third pick. While the absolute craziness over popular (modern) versions of the classics has died down significantly during auctions, Cartier is an exception. We also see this on the pre-owned market. The Parisian brand is bucking the trend of decreasing prices for pre-owned watches and many auctioned pieces. A great example of the brand’s popularity is this white gold Cartier Crash with a salmon dial that was auctioned for a staggering CHF 298,450. It was one of the many Cartier watches that sold for way over the (always low) pre-auction estimate during Phillips’ The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection.
Image: Phillips
Granted, the watch is rare. In fact, this is only the third known version of this specific iteration of the Crash, which is not a regular-production model but a made-to-order version. Quite a few of us at Fratello love Cartier and the Crash. It’s a great and unique display of the brand’s distinctive design language.
Image: Phillips
But seeing how the brand can fetch top dollar at auctions is remarkable. Indeed, this Crash was not the only Cartier watch that changed owners for a lot of money. During the same Phillips auction, a 1931 Tank à Guichets sold for CHF 406,400, a late-’90s platinum version of the same watch fetched CHF 120,650, and a 1970s Tank Cintrée brought in CHF 196,850. Those are just three examples of rare Cartier pieces that displayed the brand’s popularity during this spring’s auctions. Collectors seem to love Cartier’s designs and cultural legacy.
Image: Phillips
Auctioned Watch #4: Rolex Oyster Chronographe ref. 6036 — CHF 609,600
Our next pick is another Rolex, but it’s not just any other watch from The Crown. This Oyster Chronographe ref. 6036 is also known as the “Jean-Claude Killy” after the champion alpine ski racer and Rolex ambassador. This model is special because it combines a full calendar with a chronograph complication.
Image: Phillips
Rolex fans will know that there are different references known as “The Killy.” References 4767, 4768, and 5036 from the late 1940s preceded the 6036. Additionally, reference 6236 replaced the 6036 in 1958.
Image: Phillips
Usually, the 6036 is made of stainless steel with a white dial. However, for special clients, Rolex created yellow gold and pink gold versions of the watch. The latter is the rarest by far. It features a 36mm case that protects the modified Valjoux 72C inside. This specific pink gold ref. 6036 “Jean-Claude Killy” looks stunning.
Image: Phillips
It is in great condition, which is probably why it sold for a whopping CHF 609,600. In return, the new owner will get one of the legendary Rolex chronographs from the past on a fitting pink gold bracelet that makes it even better. This is a favorite of mine along with a yellow gold ref. 6238 that was auctioned in Monaco last month.
Image: Christie’s
Auctioned Watch #5: Patek Philippe ref. 1518 — CHF 2,465,000
Our last pick was part of an auction that also featured a portion of Michael Schumacher’s private watch collection. The watches from the German former F1 driver were going to be the big story of Christie’s Rare Watches auction. Technical issues resulting from a cyberattack jeopardized the event, but that did not keep Christie’s from proceeding with the auction two days later.
Image: Christie’s
The auctioned watches that were part of Michael Schumacher’s private collection were nothing short of impressive. The big eye-catcher was a white gold Royal Oak specially commissioned by former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt to commemorate the Schumacher’s six F1 World Championships at the time. The watch sold for CHF 415,800.
Image: Christie’s
The second remarkable Schumacher piece was an F.P.Journe Vagabondage with a unique dial. Todt also commissioned it to commemorate Schumacher’s seven F1 World Championship victories and gave it to him as a Christmas present in 2006. This unique piece changed owners for a whopping CHF 1,497,000.
Image: Phillips
A special Patek Philippe ref. 1518
But while all those watches are super impressive, the pink gold Patek Philippe ref. 1518 with a matching dial took the grand prize. It is one of only 12 pieces in this configuration and looks stunning. The watch was created for the Latin American market, which is why it features a dial with Spanish day and month indications. Reference 1518 was introduced in 1941 and is considered the world’s first mass-produced perpetual-calendar chronograph. Inside the case is the caliber 13”’130 Q, based on the Valjoux 13Q, which had been modified to set the standard for perpetual-calendar chronographs that came after. The watch fetched a stellar CHF 2,465,000, making it the most expensive watch of the Geneva auctions of last weekend.
Image: Phillips
Final thoughts on the top five recently auctioned watches
There you have it — our favorite recently auctioned watches in no particular order. There are a lot more watches that we could have picked. That’s why we are curious about what some of your favorites were. Let us know in the comments section, and we will see you next week for another Top 5!
Featured image: Phillips
