It’s a good time for watch auctions this November, as Phillips and Christie’s are offering some historically important examples in Geneva on November 7-8, and November 9, respectively.
Notably, the Rolex Submariner worn by Sir Roger Moore as James Bond in "Live and Let Die" (Ref. 5513) is being offered by Phillips, as part of its The Geneva Watch Auction: Two, for CHF 150,000 - CHF 250,000 (or $154,000 - $257,000 at current exchange). Memorable for its (fictional) buzz saw bezel that could cut through rope to escape dangerous situations, as well its bullet-deflecting magnetic field, the watch, nicknamed "Q", is also signed "Roger Moore 007" inside the case back. Another Rolex, the Bombay "La Caravelle" Cloisonné Ref. 6102, is also being offered. One of the most iconic cloisonné dial wristwatches made in the 1950s with Stern Frères of Geneva, this example is in virtually mint condition, and its dial depicts a scene featuring a multi-colored boat at sea, topped with faceted baton hour markers. It is estimated to bring between CHF 350,000 and CHF 700,000.
Over at Christie’s, lookout for one of the most prized and important Patek Philippe references ever made: the Patek Philippe 2497 “The Emperor Selassie”. The wristwatch, with a perpetual calendar in yellow gold and a military-style black dial featuring Arabic numerals, was once owned by Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, whose full title was a pompous-sounding “By the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, King of Kings of Ethiopia, Elect of God”. The Emperor’s crest is engraved on the case back, and the watch is estimated to achieve between CHF 500,000 and CHF 1 million.
But don’t forget the Only Watch auction on November 7, which will offer 44 one-of-a-kind timepieces created specially by the world’s finest watchmakers to benefit research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
Among the stunning creations are MB&F’s Melchior, a unique robot-shaped table clock featuring jumping hours, sweeping minutes, double retrograde seconds and a 40-day power reserve; Vulcain’s 50s Presidents’ Enamel Pegasus; and Bell & Ross’s BR01 Tourbillon Skull Bronze.
The haute joaillerie offerings include Boucheron’s Epure Vague de Lumière, which features three-dimensional marquetry of round and baguette diamonds in the shape of an ocean wave, as well as Chanel’s Mademoiselle Privé, which collaborated with embroidery experts Lesage on an exquisite dial comprising a fabric backdrop topped with natural pearls and stitching to create iconic camelias on the watch face.
