Important Watches

Important Watches

Sale Overview

Christie’s Watches is proud to present our 4 December Important Watches auction, live at our Rockefeller Plaza galleries beginning at 10:00 AM. The sale is led by one of the most extraordinary discoveries to come to market in two decades: an exceptionally rare Patek Philippe Dual Time Reference 3452/1 designed by the legendary Louis Cottier. The 18k white and yellow gold wristwatch is being presented for the first time in 65 years since leaving the Patek Philippe workshops. Acquired in 1961, the piece has remained in the family of the original owner and is in superb overall condition. This historic wristwatch is complemented by sought-after vintage pieces such as the 14k yellow gold Rolex reference 6264 ‘Cherry Logo,’ 18k yellow gold 1991 Cartier Crash, and an incredibly rare Audemars Piguet reference 5504 triple calendar wristwatch. One of only twenty examples made, it is the first to appear on the open market since 2017. The sale is further distinguished by a robust anthology of modern, complicated Patek Philippe wristwatches, many of which are offered in ‘single sealed,’ unworn condition. These include highly coveted pieces in extraordinary condition, such as reference 5207/700P-001, an extremely fine, ‘single sealed’ platinum minute-repeating tourbillon wristwatch with perpetual calendar, adorned with mahogany obsidian inlays.

For further information about our upcoming auction, please contact our specialists at uswatches@christies.com

Auction times
04 Dec 10:00 AM (EST)

Our specialist’s selection

Brought to you by

Rebecca Ross

Rebecca Ross

VP, Senior Specialist | Watches & Wristwatches

After moving to New York from London, Mrs. Ross achieved a Master’s degree at Christie’s Education. She quickly realized her love of art expanded as she discovered the same characteristics, and magic, in watches. Having been exposed to the artistry of clocks and watches from an early age through her father’s collection, she now travels worldwide to find the rarest timepieces to add to various Christie’s auctions throughout the year, and in addition, manages client wishlists on a Private Sale basis. She is proud to be part of such an immensely talented team at Christie’s and enjoys building a depth of expertise with her team that results in continued outstanding collections and sales. Notably, she has been responsible for offering some of the most recognized timepieces in New York auction history: The Rolex “Dark Star,” reference 6062, and a historically important Cartier Tank, Belonging to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1962. Most recently, her Important Watches live auction in June 2022 totaled over $21,000,000, setting a new record for the highest total ever for a watches auction at Christie’s New York.
Janet Tham

Janet Tham

VP, Head of Sale & Specialist, Americas | Watches & Wristwatches

Based in New York City, Janet Tham is the VP, Head of Sale, and Specialist of Watches and Clocks, Americas. She joins the Christie’s team with over ten years of experience working as a leading auction specialist, having brought significant private collections to market. Her greatest passion lies in those Play Things For Kings; those exceptional antiquities that draw you back in time, from pairs of singing bird boxes to The Morgan Caliber watch commissioned exclusively by J.P. Morgan as gifts for his community of Gilded Age Barons.
Henry Ishikawa

Henry Ishikawa

Associate Specialist | Watches & Wristwatches

Enamored after discovering the world of mechanical timepieces at the age of fifteen years old, Henry Ishikawa has spent the past decade researching, collecting, dealing, and writing about watches. He quickly turned his passion into a career, helping many of the world’s most important timepieces find their new homes where they will be cherished and well-cared for. Prior to joining Christie’s in 2022, Mr. Ishikawa spent the past four years in the watch business at various companies. He is honored and finds great pleasure with unveiling “fresh to market” watches from their original families to the public auction space.

Henry is extremely passionate about vintage Patek Philippe and Rolex “time-only” watches. Furthermore, he is enthusiastic towards early “exploration” watches, as he spent a “past life” in the world of rock climbing and mountaineering. Staying up with market trends, Mr. Ishikawa enjoys connecting with enthusiastic collectors of all kinds and hopes to continue helping them curate their collections.

How to find us

Location image

Address

Viewing

Launchpad