The New Patek Philippe Twenty~4 7340/1R Perpetual Calendar

Introduced in 1999, the Twenty~4 collection was Patek Philippe’s first dedicated line of feminine timepieces. The original model featured an Art Deco-inspired manchette (cuff) design, but in 2018, the brand unveiled the Twenty~4 Automatic, which is a round-cased iteration powered by an automatic movement. This year, Patek Philippe elevates the collection further by introducing a perpetual calendar complication, marking the collection's debut in the realm of Grand Complications.
Crafted entirely in 18K rose gold, the watch features a 36mm case with a slender profile of just 9.95mm, making it sit gracefully on the wrist. The case is meticulously finished with a combination of polished and brushed surfaces, enhancing its refined aesthetic. Two dial options are available. The Ref. 7340/1R-001 features a silvery opaline dial with a vertical satin finish, evoking the texture of shantung silk that feature irregular texture, while the Ref. 7340/1R-010 presents an olive green sunburst dial for a more contemporary appeal.

Home

Auction Christie’s Rare Watches Auction Raises CHF 18 Million

Louis Erard, Breguet, and MoonSwatch Achieve Unexpected Records

ByWaqt

12.11.2024

2 minutes read

Add To Favorite

Yesterday, Christie’s hosted The Rare Watches Auction on November 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva. The event featured a special section dedicated to a collection of exceptional watches, offered to benefit the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA). The ELA supports research into leukodystrophies and provides aid to families affected by these debilitating diseases.

The auction, held in collaboration with Watches for ELA, concluded with record-breaking results. Garnering widespread media coverage, the event was graced by European celebrities and prominently French football legend and Real Madrid player Zinedine Zidane opened the auction as the charity's ambassador.

A total of 160 timepieces were presented during the auction, including 11 exceptional pieces dedicated to the ELA cause. The entire event raised a staggering CHF 18 million, a portion of which will directly benefit families affected by leukodystrophy.

Watches for ELA is a charity initiative that brings together unique creations from prestigious watchmaking houses to support ELA International’s mission of combating rare diseases like leukodystrophies. Among the 11 extraordinary pieces offered for the ELA section, Louis Erard’s unique creation stood out, achieving a record-breaking sale for the independent watchmaker. The piece sold for CHF 16,380, surpassing its estimate of CHF 4,000–8,000.

This masterpiece features a dial made using miniature marquetry, a labor-intensive craft. The dial is composed of over 70 wooden pieces, including natural walnut burl wood at its center and tulip tree wood stained in three shades of green. These elements form mesmerizing geometric cubes, meticulously handcrafted by artisan Bastien Chevalier.

Beyond the charity section, the auction showcased some extraordinary timepieces, The Breguet No. 3218, an exceptionally rare watch, sold for an impressive CHF 1,920,500, far exceeding its estimated price of CHF 100,000–200,000.