NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s will present Important Watches Featuring Stories in Time: A Collection of Exceptional Watches, a live auction to be held on 9 June in New York City. Continuing Christie’s longstanding leadership in showcasing Independent Watchmakers, the sale will offer timepieces of exceptional rarity and appeal — spanning iconic vintage models to cutting-edge contemporary creations.

Leading the auction is a Patek Philippe Ref. 3974R (Estimate: $650,000–1,350,000), introduced in 1989 as the world’s most complicated wristwatch at the time, created to mark the brand’s 150th anniversary. Of the 160 examples produced, only around 20 were crafted in pink gold, as the present lot. While the majority were fitted with silvered dials and baton indexes, this rare piece stands out for its striking slate-grey dial. Discontinued in 2000, the Ref. 3974 is considered one of the most coveted minute repeating wristwatches of the past three decades.

Rebecca Ross, Head of Sale Christie’s New York says: "The timepieces offered in this sale transcend mere beauty, time and trend. They symbolize significant moments in history, from groundbreaking explorations to technical advancements that redefine possibilities. Collectors have the opportunity to acquire not just watches, but also pieces of horological innovation that remain sources of inspiration today. We are enthusiastic to offer one of the most important watches ever made in series by Patek Philippe, the impressive Patek Philippe Ref. 3974R in pink gold with specially ordered grey dial and Breguet numerals; signifying rarity, complexity and achievement.”

Additional highlights include a Rolex Ref. 116595RBOW ‘Rainbow Daytona’ (Estimate: $250,000–450,000) — A modern icon, renowned for its multicolored sapphire-set bezel and diamond-set case. Introduced in Everose gold in 2018, this highly sought-after model exemplifies Rolex’s mastery of gem-setting and precision finishing, and an Audemars Piguet, 18k Gold Calendar Wristwatch with Moon phases (Estimate: $50,000–100,000) — A supremely rare and elegant example from 1927, offering collectors a glimpse into the maison’s early complications.

The auction also features a curated selection from Stories in Time: A Collection of Exceptional Watches — a landmark offering of 160 contemporary timepieces spanning 47 celebrated brands and independent ateliers, including Greubel Forsey and De Bethune.

A centerpiece from this collection is the Greubel Forsey Double Tourbillon 30° Edition Historique (Estimate: $120,000-220,000). Produced in a limited edition of only 11 examples, each in red gold and platinum, the watch features two engraved gold plates bearing the signatures of Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey. A technical and artistic triumph, the Double Tourbillon 30° represents a milestone in contemporary watchmaking, distinguished by its pioneering inclined tourbillon architecture and award-winning chronometric performance.