GENEVA.- Yesterday’s sale of Important Watches at Sotheby’s Geneva realised a grand total of CHF 9,028,625 / US$ 9,753,624, setting three new world auction records for wristwatches by Patek Philippe.

HIGHLIGHTS
STORIED PROVENANCE: ERIC CLAPTON
 An exquisite and possibly unique wristwatch by Patek Philippe, previously from the collection of legendary guitarist Eric Clapton, soared to CHF 406,000 / US$ 438,602 this afternoon. Among the finest wristwatches on offer during the auction, this pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, reference 5970, is the reflection of the exacting standards of Eric Clapton - one of the greatest watch collectors of our time.

This watch is noteworthy for its probably unique dial, featuring Breguet numerals: according to our research, today marked the first time a 5970 with this configuration was offered at auction. This remarkable feature, along with a gold brick bracelet which enhances the unique modern appearance of the watch, were both probably special requests from Clapton (LOT 200, estimate: CHF 120,000 – 220,000 / US$ 123,000 – 225,000).

THREE WORLD RECORDS FOR PATEK PHILIPPE
 A new record for Patek Philippe Aquanaut wristwatch Set by Lot 114: a rare stainless steel automatic cushion-form centre seconds wristwatch with date and khaki green dial reference 5167A-010. Sold for CHF 52,500 / US$ 56,716 (est. CHF 8,000-12,000 / US$ 8,200-12,300)

 A new auction record for a Patek Philippe stainless steel Nautilus wristwatch Set by Lot 116: a fine and very rare large stainless steel automatic cushion-form prototype ‘jumbo’ wristwatch with date and bracelet ref 3700/1. Sold for CHF 250,000 / US$ 270,075 (est. CHF 30,000-50,000 / US$ 30,700-51,500)

 A new auction record for a Patek Philippe ref 5970 in pink gold Set by Lot 200: a fine and possibly unique pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon-phases, Breguet numerals and bracelet ref 5970. Sold for CHF 406,000 / US$ 438,602 (est. CHF 120,000 – 220,000 / US$ 123,000 – 225,000)

RARE VINTAGE WRISTWATCHES
 In production from 1950 onwards, Patek Philippe’s reference 2499 is widely recognised as one of the most important in the history of the manufacturer. An exceptional piece from 1972, never offered at auction before, soared over-estimate to realise CHF 430,000 / US$ 464,529 in today’s sale. The prestigious Geneva watchmaker produced only 349 examples, averaging just nine watches per year. (LOT 332, estimate: CHF 200,000 – 300,000 / US$ 205,000 – 307,000).

 Another extremely rare wristwatch by Patek Philippe saw fierce bidding today as an important large yellow gold centre second perpetual calendar wristwatch, reference 2497, sold for CHF 250,000 / US$ 270,075. Made in 1955, this beautiful watch is believed to be one of only 115 models ever delivered. (LOT 331, estimate: CHF 180,000 – 280,000 / US$ 184,000 – 287,000).

FASCINATING POCKET WATCHES
 An exceptional, very handsome and possibly unique open-faced watch in yellow gold by Patek Philippe, never before seen at auction sold for CHF 274,000 / US$ 296,002. This reference 926/1 Pellaton style one-minute tourbillon “Bulletin d’Observatoire” was made in 1929 – but only encased in 1984. This extraordinary watch passed the famously rigorous 40-day evaluation of the Geneva Observatory no fewer than 11 times, and was twice awarded the ‘A’ rating (LOT 135, estimate : CHF 150,000 – 250,000 / US$ 154,000 – 256,000).

 Another chronometrical masterpiece by Patek Philipe soared over estimate at auction today when a unique yellow gold minute repeating pocket chronometer, reference 947/1, made in 1989 sold for CHF 200,000 / US$ 216,060 (LOT 133, estimate: CHF 100,000-200,000 / US$ $103,000-205,000)

SENSATIONAL HIGH-COMPLICATION MODERN WRISTWATCHES
 An extremely rare and important platinum minute repeating instantaneous perpetual calendar tourbillon wristwatch by Patek Philippe sold for CHF 586,000 / US$ 633,056. This stunning example of the reference 5207P, took Patek Philippe’s top calibre engineers five years to develop. The watch features an impressive movement composed of no fewer than 549 parts (LOT 123, estimate: CHF 570,000 – 670,000 / US$ 585,000 – 685,000).

 Another sensational modern wristwatch offered today was an extremely fine and rare platinum and pink gold wristwatch by Patek Philippe which realised CHF 490,000 / US$ 529,347. This very impressive automatic minute repeating semi-skeletonised perpetual calendar watch with retrograde date, moon phases and leap year indication is unlike any other wristwatch produced by the manufacturer. Launched in Basel in 2006, the reference 5104P is Patek Philippe’s only grand complication with the movement visible through the dial (LOT 316, estimate: CHF 450,000 – 550,000 / US$ 460,000 – 565,000).