New Watches
2010 The Sky on the Wrist
2016 SOLD for CHF 1.15M including premium
The dream of men to calculate the configuration of the sky with a handheld tool had been achieved for many centuries : it was the astrolabe. Since the late 1980s Patek Philippe offers increasingly subtle complications to the lovers of the astronomical time.
The most complicated watch of all time is their Calibre 89 with 33 complications. With 22 complications, the Star Caliber 2000 is like the Calibre 89 a pocket watch, but its development paved the way for the most complicated wristwatch, the Sky Moon Tourbillon 5002 produced from 2001 to 2011.
Astronomers may be delighted : with the 5002 they control time and sky on their wrist with no less than 12 complications among which the most recent innovations include the sidereal time, the retrograde calculation of the perpetual calendar and the meridian of Sirius selected because it is the brightest star.
To avoid a too tight display the 5002 is the first wristwatch with double dial made by Patek Philippe. The progress is not just about astronomy : the new cathedral chime, prolonged and more musical, appeals its wealthy owners.
The assembly of the 686 tiny mechanical components of the 5002 is of high complexity. Its average production was around 10 units per year. The 6002 reference launched in 2013 is a deluxe dressing for the 5002.
The platinum version of the 5002 is referenced 5002P. One of them was sold for HK $ 11.7 million including premium by Sotheby's on April 10, 2008. Another 5002P manufactured in 2010 is estimated CHF 950K for sale by Christie's in Geneva on November 14, lot 146.
The most complicated watch of all time is their Calibre 89 with 33 complications. With 22 complications, the Star Caliber 2000 is like the Calibre 89 a pocket watch, but its development paved the way for the most complicated wristwatch, the Sky Moon Tourbillon 5002 produced from 2001 to 2011.
Astronomers may be delighted : with the 5002 they control time and sky on their wrist with no less than 12 complications among which the most recent innovations include the sidereal time, the retrograde calculation of the perpetual calendar and the meridian of Sirius selected because it is the brightest star.
To avoid a too tight display the 5002 is the first wristwatch with double dial made by Patek Philippe. The progress is not just about astronomy : the new cathedral chime, prolonged and more musical, appeals its wealthy owners.
The assembly of the 686 tiny mechanical components of the 5002 is of high complexity. Its average production was around 10 units per year. The 6002 reference launched in 2013 is a deluxe dressing for the 5002.
The platinum version of the 5002 is referenced 5002P. One of them was sold for HK $ 11.7 million including premium by Sotheby's on April 10, 2008. Another 5002P manufactured in 2010 is estimated CHF 950K for sale by Christie's in Geneva on November 14, lot 146.
2010 On the Wrist of Rafael Nadal
2011 SOLD 510 K€ with no applicable buyer's premium
Only Watch is a charity auction of watches, which takes place every two years in Monaco under the patronage of the Prince. The next event, particularly well received by the specialized press, is held on September 23. The hammer is entrusted to Antiquorum.
Swiss brands are invited to provide a unique specimen for the benefit of a charity supporting the research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 40 of them responded positively.
Richard Mille's offer is spectacular, and will, hopefully, have the same impact as an advertising campaign. For nearly a year, this unique piece (or rather a pre-production prototype) RM027 accompanied the victories of Rafael Nadal.
Watch manufacturers have long understood that entrusting their best models to aviators, racers or mountain climbers was an effective way to demonstrate the reliability. The frantic move of the wrist of a tennis champion was also a great idea, materialized last year by a partnership between the watchmaker and the player.
Despite its thickness, 11.8 mm, the RM027 is considered the lightest mechanical watch in the world: 13 grams, less than 20 grams including the strap.
It is illustrated in the article shared by Montres de Luxe.
It's a charity auction: elegantly, we will not talk of estimates but of wish prices: € 400K to 600K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The dynamism of the Richard Mille company is rewarded with a price of € 510K. This charity auction did not include a buyer's premium.
Swiss brands are invited to provide a unique specimen for the benefit of a charity supporting the research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 40 of them responded positively.
Richard Mille's offer is spectacular, and will, hopefully, have the same impact as an advertising campaign. For nearly a year, this unique piece (or rather a pre-production prototype) RM027 accompanied the victories of Rafael Nadal.
Watch manufacturers have long understood that entrusting their best models to aviators, racers or mountain climbers was an effective way to demonstrate the reliability. The frantic move of the wrist of a tennis champion was also a great idea, materialized last year by a partnership between the watchmaker and the player.
Despite its thickness, 11.8 mm, the RM027 is considered the lightest mechanical watch in the world: 13 grams, less than 20 grams including the strap.
It is illustrated in the article shared by Montres de Luxe.
It's a charity auction: elegantly, we will not talk of estimates but of wish prices: € 400K to 600K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The dynamism of the Richard Mille company is rewarded with a price of € 510K. This charity auction did not include a buyer's premium.
2011 Patek Philippe for OnlyWatch
2011 SOLD 1.4 M€ with no applicable buyer's premium
Held every two years since 2005 in Monaco, the OnlyWatch event has become an unavoidable showcase for contemporary Swiss watches.
The principle, which is to have submitted by each manufacturer a unique model at auction, is necessarily pleasing Patek Philippe. For nearly a century, the models made as a single specimen were used as benchmarks for the technological developments and the design changes of the brand.
In 2007, the contribution of Patek Philippe to OnlyWatch was a unique 5712T Nautilus in titanium, sold € 525K.
On September 23, in the sale conducted by Antiquorum, Patek Philippe offers a unique watch based on the model 3939. Organizers hope between € 450K and 650K. This smart tourbillon watch with a beautiful black enamel dial is illustrated in the article shared by WatchTime.
This sale is for glory in the best meaning of that term, since all the proceeds are going to benefit a charity against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Richard Mille's contribution to OnlyWatch 2011 has also been featured in this group.
POST SALE COMMENT
Excellent result, € 1.4 million, showing that the certificates of unique piece by Patek Philippe still have an immense prestige.
This charity auction did not include fees.
The principle, which is to have submitted by each manufacturer a unique model at auction, is necessarily pleasing Patek Philippe. For nearly a century, the models made as a single specimen were used as benchmarks for the technological developments and the design changes of the brand.
In 2007, the contribution of Patek Philippe to OnlyWatch was a unique 5712T Nautilus in titanium, sold € 525K.
On September 23, in the sale conducted by Antiquorum, Patek Philippe offers a unique watch based on the model 3939. Organizers hope between € 450K and 650K. This smart tourbillon watch with a beautiful black enamel dial is illustrated in the article shared by WatchTime.
This sale is for glory in the best meaning of that term, since all the proceeds are going to benefit a charity against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Richard Mille's contribution to OnlyWatch 2011 has also been featured in this group.
POST SALE COMMENT
Excellent result, € 1.4 million, showing that the certificates of unique piece by Patek Philippe still have an immense prestige.
This charity auction did not include fees.
2012 A Skeleton under the Sapphire
2017 SOLD for $ 1.2M including premium
The Richard Mille company offers wristwatches of very high performance, often associating with its models the sponsorship of a sports champion. Advanced technologies bring weightlessness, transparency and robustness against severe environment.
The release in 2012 of the RM 056 - Felipe Massa in a limited edition of five was an event in terms of watchmaking innovation. Its price was about $ 1.7M. The three pieces that make up the case of this split-seconds chronograph watch are transparent with an absolute clarity, allowing the user to see from any angle the movement of the tourbillon.
The transparent material is a sapphire crystal, resistant to any scratch. The machining and polishing of a sapphire piece takes several hundred hours. The use of titanium is extended to all mechanical components and to the baseplate. The case is water resistant to 50 meters.
Evolution has already gone forward. The RM 56-01 has its baseplate and its third hand in sapphire. RM 27-01 - Rafael Nadal and RM 56-02 incorporate a further improvement in the suspension of the movement on the baseplate. At its release in 2014 the price of the RM 56-02 was about $ 2M.
On June 21 in New York, Christie's sells the prototype No. 2 of the RM 056, lot 228 estimated $ 1M. The number of prototypes realized for that model has not been disclosed.
The release in 2012 of the RM 056 - Felipe Massa in a limited edition of five was an event in terms of watchmaking innovation. Its price was about $ 1.7M. The three pieces that make up the case of this split-seconds chronograph watch are transparent with an absolute clarity, allowing the user to see from any angle the movement of the tourbillon.
The transparent material is a sapphire crystal, resistant to any scratch. The machining and polishing of a sapphire piece takes several hundred hours. The use of titanium is extended to all mechanical components and to the baseplate. The case is water resistant to 50 meters.
Evolution has already gone forward. The RM 56-01 has its baseplate and its third hand in sapphire. RM 27-01 - Rafael Nadal and RM 56-02 incorporate a further improvement in the suspension of the movement on the baseplate. At its release in 2014 the price of the RM 56-02 was about $ 2M.
On June 21 in New York, Christie's sells the prototype No. 2 of the RM 056, lot 228 estimated $ 1M. The number of prototypes realized for that model has not been disclosed.
2012 Extreme Conditions on Track
2013 SOLD 350 K€ with no applicable buyer's premium
The Richard Mille brand has fully integrated the incentive of the OnlyWatch auction in its marketing strategy. By supplying watches to sports champions, they demonstrate the robustness of their products in harsh environmental conditions.
Two years ago, a ultra-light watch used in tournament games by Nadal was sold € 510K.
Then Richard Mille chose another prestigious sport with extreme movements: sprint. Yohan Blake is one of very few sprinters who are able to compete with Usain Bolt, his Jamaican fellow.
Last year, Blake used a Richard Mille RM 038 adapted to meet his personal requirements. The new light alloys based on magnesium enhance the resistance to wear and heat. This skeleton watch with a tourbillon movement was involved in the victories of the champion at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Richard Mille offer this watch unique of its kind in the next edition of OnlyWatch in Monaco on September 28. Here is the link to the page dedicated to this lot by Watchonista.
Note that this charity auction for the benefit of research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy does not provide an estimate but a wish price. This lot is expected between € 450K and 500K. The hammer will be held by Antiquorum.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, € 350K, is rather disappointing.
I remind that this charity auction does not apply a buyer's premium.
Two years ago, a ultra-light watch used in tournament games by Nadal was sold € 510K.
Then Richard Mille chose another prestigious sport with extreme movements: sprint. Yohan Blake is one of very few sprinters who are able to compete with Usain Bolt, his Jamaican fellow.
Last year, Blake used a Richard Mille RM 038 adapted to meet his personal requirements. The new light alloys based on magnesium enhance the resistance to wear and heat. This skeleton watch with a tourbillon movement was involved in the victories of the champion at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.
Richard Mille offer this watch unique of its kind in the next edition of OnlyWatch in Monaco on September 28. Here is the link to the page dedicated to this lot by Watchonista.
Note that this charity auction for the benefit of research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy does not provide an estimate but a wish price. This lot is expected between € 450K and 500K. The hammer will be held by Antiquorum.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, € 350K, is rather disappointing.
I remind that this charity auction does not apply a buyer's premium.
2013 Charity Rebirth of the Patek Philippe 5004
2013 SOLD 2.95 M€ with no applicable buyer's premium
The fifth edition of the OnlyWatch sale is in preparation. Every second year, the best watchmakers offer a specimen guaranteed by them as unique. The proceeds benefit the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
The next sale takes place in Monaco on September 28 and, as usual, the hammer is entrusted to Antiquorum.
OnlyWatch is somewhat comparable to a trade show, as the brands display here for collectors and press the best advances from their design departments. This year, 34 brands have responded. From the beginning, Patek Philippe contributes with outstanding pieces.
For once, Patek Philippe offers a model of the past, the 5004, commercially stopped two years ago when they started the 5204. 5004 is a grande complication watch including perpetual calendar, leap year and chronograph, and 30 meter water resistance.
The 5004 watch for sale in Monaco has been made in titanium in 2013, and is the only specimen made in this metal, reference 5004T. The catalog indicates a wish price between € 400K and 600K. It is illustrated on the page shared by Watchonista.
POST SALE COMMENT
Remarkable and highly important result for the Patek Philippe titanium 5004: € 2.95 M. This charity auction does not include a buyer's premium.
The next sale takes place in Monaco on September 28 and, as usual, the hammer is entrusted to Antiquorum.
OnlyWatch is somewhat comparable to a trade show, as the brands display here for collectors and press the best advances from their design departments. This year, 34 brands have responded. From the beginning, Patek Philippe contributes with outstanding pieces.
For once, Patek Philippe offers a model of the past, the 5004, commercially stopped two years ago when they started the 5204. 5004 is a grande complication watch including perpetual calendar, leap year and chronograph, and 30 meter water resistance.
The 5004 watch for sale in Monaco has been made in titanium in 2013, and is the only specimen made in this metal, reference 5004T. The catalog indicates a wish price between € 400K and 600K. It is illustrated on the page shared by Watchonista.
POST SALE COMMENT
Remarkable and highly important result for the Patek Philippe titanium 5004: € 2.95 M. This charity auction does not include a buyer's premium.
2017 Titanium and Triple Complication
2017 SOLD for CHF 6.2M in charity sale without premium
Organized every two years by the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, the OnlyWatch charity sale requires the offer by each participating brand of a watch guaranteed as unique of its kind. The 2017 event is entrusted to Christie's in Geneva on November 11.
Patek Philippe responds most often with a high-end model in a refractory metal unusual in its similar productions : titanium in 2007 and 2013, steel in 2011 and 2015. The Patek Philippe 5016A-010 sold by Phillips on November 7, 2015 fetched CHF 7.3M.
The titanium comes again in 2017 with the unique Patek Philippe 5208T-010, lot 12 estimated CHF 900K.
Released in 2011 with a platinum 5208P version, the 5208 is a triple complication watch : minute repeater, mono-pusher chronograph and perpetual calendar with apertures and phases of the moon taking into account the leap year. It is resistant to moisture and dust but not to water. Its removable back case can be replaced by a transparent back in sapphire crystal providing visibility onto the inside. It is assembled with more than 700 parts.
In the ever-improving range of the Patek Philippe complication watches, the 5208 is the first wristwatch whose triple complication includes a chronograph, unlike the 5207 released in 2008 with a tourbillon.
Patek Philippe responds most often with a high-end model in a refractory metal unusual in its similar productions : titanium in 2007 and 2013, steel in 2011 and 2015. The Patek Philippe 5016A-010 sold by Phillips on November 7, 2015 fetched CHF 7.3M.
The titanium comes again in 2017 with the unique Patek Philippe 5208T-010, lot 12 estimated CHF 900K.
Released in 2011 with a platinum 5208P version, the 5208 is a triple complication watch : minute repeater, mono-pusher chronograph and perpetual calendar with apertures and phases of the moon taking into account the leap year. It is resistant to moisture and dust but not to water. Its removable back case can be replaced by a transparent back in sapphire crystal providing visibility onto the inside. It is assembled with more than 700 parts.
In the ever-improving range of the Patek Philippe complication watches, the 5208 is the first wristwatch whose triple complication includes a chronograph, unlike the 5207 released in 2008 with a tourbillon.
2018 Sympathique with the Rubidium
2019 SOLD for $ 2.9M including premium
The advancement of timekeepers includes the complications, of course, but also the search for the best accuracy. In the last century, for George Daniels, Abraham-Louis Breguet remained the absolute reference for mechanical watchmaking. Urwerk, a Swiss brand created in 1997, takes over.
One of Breguet's most avant-garde designs was the Breguet Sympathique, a pocket watch that did not need to be touched for winding, time setting and regulation. When its power reserve approached depletion, it was inserted into a clock to which it was mechanically coupled. The word Sympathique is an evocation of the coupling, by its etymology meaning 'functioning by affinity'.
Obtaining the three settings simultaneously was a mechanical feat that was achieved by his workshop for the duc d'Orléans in 1835, twelve years after Breguet's death. Restarted to working condition by Daniels in the 1970s, the complete system was sold for $ 6.8M including premium by Sotheby's on December 4, 2012.
The Urwerk AMC (Atomic Mechanical Control) system unveiled in 2018 at Baselworld Miami is an adaptation of the Sympathique to the modern technologies. Without a direct application identified, this technical feat paves the way for new developments.
The time reference is provided by a 45 x 30 x 18 cm atomic clock weighing 35 Kg. It uses the quantum energy transitions of the rubidium atom, known by physicists to provide the best stability with a 1 second error for 317 years when it is associated with a garnet of yttrium and iron. It provides the stability of a wristwatch by coupling, without manual winding, without quartz, without battery.
Urwerk announced the production of the system in three units. A price of $ 2.7M was announced in period on the web by a specialized website. The titanium mechanical watch with the serial number 001 associated with its atomic clock is estimated to exceed $ 1M for sale by Phillips in New York on December 10, lot 8.
One of Breguet's most avant-garde designs was the Breguet Sympathique, a pocket watch that did not need to be touched for winding, time setting and regulation. When its power reserve approached depletion, it was inserted into a clock to which it was mechanically coupled. The word Sympathique is an evocation of the coupling, by its etymology meaning 'functioning by affinity'.
Obtaining the three settings simultaneously was a mechanical feat that was achieved by his workshop for the duc d'Orléans in 1835, twelve years after Breguet's death. Restarted to working condition by Daniels in the 1970s, the complete system was sold for $ 6.8M including premium by Sotheby's on December 4, 2012.
The Urwerk AMC (Atomic Mechanical Control) system unveiled in 2018 at Baselworld Miami is an adaptation of the Sympathique to the modern technologies. Without a direct application identified, this technical feat paves the way for new developments.
The time reference is provided by a 45 x 30 x 18 cm atomic clock weighing 35 Kg. It uses the quantum energy transitions of the rubidium atom, known by physicists to provide the best stability with a 1 second error for 317 years when it is associated with a garnet of yttrium and iron. It provides the stability of a wristwatch by coupling, without manual winding, without quartz, without battery.
Urwerk announced the production of the system in three units. A price of $ 2.7M was announced in period on the web by a specialized website. The titanium mechanical watch with the serial number 001 associated with its atomic clock is estimated to exceed $ 1M for sale by Phillips in New York on December 10, lot 8.
2018 The Precious Seconds of Walter Lange
2018 SOLD for CHF 850K including premium
The company A. Lange u. Söhne, created in 1845, manufactured luxury watches in Glashütte near Dresden. The founder's great-grandson Walter Lange was proud of the achievement of his ancestors, and more specifically of their patented complication of adding another hand of the seconds with a start and stop mechanism, indeed a forerunner of the modern chronograph.
The bombing of Dresden put an end to Walter Lange's dreams. The business went on without him but with mediocre products. In 1990 just after the reunification of Germany, he recreated it with another engineer without changing the name, releasing their first collection in 1994. A. Lange u. Söhne quickly found its place among the best manufacturers of high-complication watches, often including tourbillons.
Walter Lange died in January 2017. His engineers went to work immediately for paying tribute to him with a new calibre incorporating his favorite complication and named L1924 by reference to the year of his birth. The new model "1815 - Homage to Walter Lange" was unveiled in January 2018 with a production plan of 262 pieces in white, pink or yellow gold.
A unique specimen was also made in stainless steel, a material very scarcely used by Lange. Its black enameled dial is also unique. This watch will be sold on May 13 by Phillips in Geneva as lot 233, entirely for the benefit of the Children Action charity.
Please watch the video shared by A. Lange und Söhne.
The bombing of Dresden put an end to Walter Lange's dreams. The business went on without him but with mediocre products. In 1990 just after the reunification of Germany, he recreated it with another engineer without changing the name, releasing their first collection in 1994. A. Lange u. Söhne quickly found its place among the best manufacturers of high-complication watches, often including tourbillons.
Walter Lange died in January 2017. His engineers went to work immediately for paying tribute to him with a new calibre incorporating his favorite complication and named L1924 by reference to the year of his birth. The new model "1815 - Homage to Walter Lange" was unveiled in January 2018 with a production plan of 262 pieces in white, pink or yellow gold.
A unique specimen was also made in stainless steel, a material very scarcely used by Lange. Its black enameled dial is also unique. This watch will be sold on May 13 by Phillips in Geneva as lot 233, entirely for the benefit of the Children Action charity.
Please watch the video shared by A. Lange und Söhne.
2019 Five Chimes on the Wrist
2019 SOLD for CHF 31M in charity sale without premium
In 2014, for celebrating the 175th anniversary of the brand, Patek Philippe release their first Grandmaster Chime wristwatch under the reference 5175 edited in seven units. Its 20 functions required 1,366 components for the movement and 215 components for the case, surpassing the 6200 Sky Moon Tourbillon. It is the achievement of 60,000 hours of development over seven years.
The 5175 is 48 mm in diameter and 16 mm in height with 11 pushers and buttons. Its central mechanism activates in parallel the visual reading on two dials including the perpetual calendar, the chimes of hours, quarters, minutes and day, and the acoustic alarm preselected with an accuracy of a quarter of an hour. The running time of the mechanical winding is 72 hours in silent mode and 30 hours in grande sonnerie.
Two of these applications are unprecedented : the insertion of an alarm in a wristwatch, and the audible indication of the day in the month in two digits covering 1 to 31 by the tens and units. The watch also strikes on demand the current hour and minute. A security prevents the user from operating two mechanisms at the same time if they are not compatible.
The reference 6300G in gray gold launched in 2016 is similar to the 5175 except that the references to the celebration have been removed.
The Only Watch charity sale is held every second year since 2005 for the benefit of the research on the Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The 2019 auction is managed by Christie's in Geneva on November 9.
According to the rules applicable to this operation, each manufacturer offers a watch for which it guarantees that it is and will remain a one-off. On this year Patek Philippe supplies the unique copy of Grandmaster Chime in stainless steel, reference 6300A-010, lot 28 estimated CHF 2.5M. The steel improves the sound. It is inscribed "The Only One" on one of the dials.
The lot includes a one-day private tour of the workshops and museum for two people and a lunch with Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe.
The 5175 is 48 mm in diameter and 16 mm in height with 11 pushers and buttons. Its central mechanism activates in parallel the visual reading on two dials including the perpetual calendar, the chimes of hours, quarters, minutes and day, and the acoustic alarm preselected with an accuracy of a quarter of an hour. The running time of the mechanical winding is 72 hours in silent mode and 30 hours in grande sonnerie.
Two of these applications are unprecedented : the insertion of an alarm in a wristwatch, and the audible indication of the day in the month in two digits covering 1 to 31 by the tens and units. The watch also strikes on demand the current hour and minute. A security prevents the user from operating two mechanisms at the same time if they are not compatible.
The reference 6300G in gray gold launched in 2016 is similar to the 5175 except that the references to the celebration have been removed.
The Only Watch charity sale is held every second year since 2005 for the benefit of the research on the Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The 2019 auction is managed by Christie's in Geneva on November 9.
According to the rules applicable to this operation, each manufacturer offers a watch for which it guarantees that it is and will remain a one-off. On this year Patek Philippe supplies the unique copy of Grandmaster Chime in stainless steel, reference 6300A-010, lot 28 estimated CHF 2.5M. The steel improves the sound. It is inscribed "The Only One" on one of the dials.
The lot includes a one-day private tour of the workshops and museum for two people and a lunch with Thierry Stern, president of Patek Philippe.
