A Rare Patek Philippe, an F.P. Journe, and Rolexes Headline Phillips’s New York Watch Auction

Phillips has been on a hell of a run lately, with four consecutive years of 100% sell-through rates at its watch auctions. The The New York Watch Auction: XII, which will take place on June 7th-8th, is set to feature several incredible lots even by the company’s august standards: A rare yellow gold Patek Philippe ref. 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph that was part of the same collection for forty years is hitting the auction block, as is a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Big Red” ref. 6265 with some serious racing provenance. And for those whose horological interests skew more contemporary, there’s an F.P. Journe Répétition Souveraine with an extraordinary smoked sapphire dial. For those interested in previewing these remarkable watches, 432 Park Avenue will open its exhibition space to the public on June 4th.

Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 Perpetual Calendar Chronograph 

Having produced just 281 examples over a 14-year time period, the reference 1518 is an extraordinarily rare watch—and an extraordinarily important one, to boot: The world’s first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, it represents a horological feat that went unmatched by any brand for decades. This tremendous yellow gold example, dating to 1950, was purchased by an American collector in 1989 who kept it locked away in a humidity-controlled vault for 40 years. In excellent condition and featuring a beautiful white enamel dial, it’s the type of piece any Patek aficionado worth his salt would kill to own.

Estimate: $400,000-$800,000

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Big Red” Ref. 6265

There are vintage Rolex Cosmograph Daytonas; then there are “Big Red” Daytonas with the attractive red “Daytona” text that collectors love to obsess over; and then there are lots such as this one, a ref. 6265 with actual ‘70s F1 racing provenance: Gifted to French Formula 1 driver Jean-Pierre Jabouille on the occasion of his 1979 French Grand Prix win, it has remained in his family for over 50 years and is being consigned by his son. On the watch’s caseback is an engraving for which the only applicable term is “badass”: “DIE TO DRIVE – RENAULT F1 – J.P.J. 79.” Whoever takes this killer piece home better be able to handle himself behind the wheel of a Renault RS10. Estimate: $50,000-$100,000

F.P. Journe Répétition Souveraine

Upon its debut in 2008, the F.P. Journe Répétition Souveraine was the world’s thinnest minute repeater. Though it’s since been eclipsed in that regard by other makes and models, this wild piece remains a triumph of independent watchmaking—perhaps nowhere more so than in this particular guise: Constructed using a smoked sapphire dial, its movement is laid bare for the wearer who is able to appreciate the sophisticated system of gongs, hammers, and other 18-karat rose gold components. Offered  by a single owner and housed in a stainless steel case—a rarity in repeater watches—it’s a testament to Journe’s creative genius. Estimate: $200,000-$400,000

Credit: robbreport.com