Auction For the First Time, Phillips Auctions Lands in Dubai

Phillips Auctions For their global tour spanning selected major cities worldwide, they will be stopping in Dubai for the first time, to extend a warm invitation to collectors from the Middle East and beyond. This special occasion will showcase The Guido Mondani Watches Collection, which is set to be auctioned in Geneva on May 11-12.

You can explore this remarkable collection in Dubai from April 18-20 at the MB&F M.A.D Gallery, located on the first floor of The Dubai Mall in Downtown Dubai.

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX Sale at the Hotel President Geneva on May 11-12 will feature an exceptional collection of rare timepieces curated by Guido Mondani, a prominent figure in the world of luxury watches. Renowned as an expert, author, and publisher specializing in horology.

The sale will inaugurate a new location for Phillips’ flagship Geneva Watches sale, featuring 500 square meters of sunlight-flooded exhibition space and stunning views of Lake Geneva.

Comprised of over 200 lots, the auction will feature a diverse assortment of significant timepieces from the vintage and modern eras, including a two-crown Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 2523/1, a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ‘John Player Special’ Ref. 6241, a Rolex Ref. 6102 with “Caravel” cloisonné enamel dial, and a third-series Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 3448 with “inverted date.” The auction also features a possibly unique and previously unknown A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 with a Blue Dial, the inaugural Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain in Platinum to come to auction, and a “Pre-Souscription” F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance. This is a glimpse of the watches that will be present at the exhibition.

PATEK PHILIPPE, Ref 2523/1

Probably one of the most sought-after models among collectors is the Patek Philippe Worldtimer Double Crown watch, which was chosen as the cover of the 1989 Art of Patek Philippe auction advertisement. Since then, its popularity has been growing exponentially, a trend that does not appear to be coming to an end. The watch is recognizable thanks to its unpolished case and original dial. Its estimated price is between 1.2 - 2.4 million Swiss francs.

ROLEX, Reference 6241 “John Player Special”

One of the most famous Rolex watches and from the family of the original owner is the Cosmograph Daytona reference 6241 in yellow gold. It is one of the few John Player watches known to be cased in 14k yellow gold, indicating that it was most likely made for the American market. It is also kept in good condition. Its estimated price ranges from 500,000 to 1 million Swiss francs

A. LANGE & SÖHNE, Ref 101.026X 

The Lange 1 in steel with blue dial is one such watch, making it the only example known in this configuration. The Lange 1 in stainless steel was never offered in a catalogue and the German brand has never confirmed the exact number produced. Experts estimate that approximately 30 were made in total, of which some have appeared sporadically on the international auction market. Research shows that some were made in 1994 upon the official re-launch of the A. Lange & Söhne, and also produced during the period from 1996-1999 with most examples either delivered to the German, Italian, or American market with either silver or black dials. The watch is consigned by the original owner who bought it in 1999 from German retailer Oeding-Erdel. Estimate CHF 150,000 – 300,000

F.P. JOURNE, Tourbillon Souverain “Hong Kong Boutique”

Made in five pieces in celebration of the anniversary of F.P. Journe’s boutique in Hong Kong, the present Tourbillon Souverain in titanium features a graphic and theatrical colour combination of a slate grey dial with salmon script. This coulor combination can also be found on the titanium case, which is paired with a pink gold crown, hands, and deployant clasp. The present Hong Kong boutique anniversary edition Tourbillon Souverain is number 2 of a limited edition of only 5 pieces. Offered by its original owner, the present example is fresh to the auction market; proceeds from its sale will be donated by the consignor to UNICEF. Estimate CHF 200,000 – 400,000

REXHEP REXHEPI, Chronomère Contemporain

Rexhep Rexhepi is one of the most exciting independent watchmakers to emerge in the past few years, garnering an almost cult-like following. Thanks to the immense success of his 2018 Chronomètre Contemporain,which was his first round watch as well as his first watch to feature his name, Rexhep Rexhepi, on the dial instead of that of his brand, Akrivia. The model was made in either 18k pink gold with black enamel dial, or in platinum with a white enamel dial, each version limited to just 25 pieces. After Phillips successfully sold two different examples of the pink gold series last year, we’re proud to offer the first platinum example of the Chronomètre Contemporain to come to auction. Estimate CHF 300,000 – 600,000.

The auction will feature a diverse array of significant and highly sought-after timepieces from other esteemed brands. Among them are watches from renowned names including Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Christian Klings, Charles Frodsham, Daniel Roth, Greubel Forsey, Kari Voutilainen, Philippe Dufour, Richard Mille, and Vacheron Constantin.

We have previously written about Phillips Auction House, detailing how to participate and sell with them. You can find the article here.

GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS TOUR

• NEW YORK | 3-5 April | 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
• HONG KONG | 3-6 April | G/F, WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, No. 8 Austin Road West Kowloon
• DUBAI | 18-20 April | MB&F M.A.D Gallery First Floor - Unit FF - 290 - 269 Financial Center Rd - Downtown Dubai - Dubai
• LONDON | 19-21 April | 30 Berkeley Square, London W1J 6EX
• SINGAPORE | 26-28 April | The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, S247911

For more information, please visit the official Phillips website.