Nobody knows how to put on a more interesting watch auction than Aurels Bacs & Co. at Phillips – this much we know. But, after last May's very successful, if perhaps a little staid, thematic Day-Date sale, I think we were all hoping Phillips would come, guns blazing, back into its next thematic sale – and they did, and then some! This May, Phillips will host an evening sale of just chronographs. Stainless-steel chronographs. There isn't a hotter category in the world, and we have a look at some of the early lots – and boy, is this one going to be a killer.
The first watch you'll notice at top is one you may know – it's the Rolex reference 4113 – otherwise known as the mack-daddy of the Rolex world. Why? Because it's a freaking 44 mm split-seconds chronograph from Rolex made in only 12 examples! The 4113 is the holy grail reference in the world of Rolex, and Phillips has one. Estimate is 800 to 1.4 million CHF.
Next you'll see another Rolex, though this one is a few decades later, and comes from the Daytona category. This one features a beautiful tropical dial. Yes, a tropical dial RCO Paul Newman. Think about it.
Next we have an amazing split-seconds Breitling called the Duograph. This split-seconds Breitling is special enough as a watch, but this is made even more legendary by the fact that it was given to Sir Jack Brabham – a three-time Formula 1 champion – after winning the 1960 season. Just incredible. Estimate is 30 to 60k CHF.
Next is another holy grail of vintage chronographs collecting – the Longines A7. Yes, the dial's rotated 45 degrees to make it easier to read on the wrist, and yes this is 51 mm in diameter, so it's not for the faint of heart, but boy is it cool and boy is it rare. Estimate is 50 to 100k CHF.
You knew Phillips would be back with another steel 1463, especially after the downright amazing results of the last one they sold. This watch is well documented – in Paul White's chronographs book and Goldberger's steel Patek book – and indeed in HODINKEE's own Talking Watches with Alfredo Paramico. To say this is a dream steel chronograph would be an understatement. Estimate here is 350 to 550k CHF.
In an interesting move, the sale will also include a piece unique Big Bang from Hublot, the proceeds of which will go directly to an undisclosed charitable organization.
The Phillips' Start-Stop-Reset sale will take place at 6 p.m. on May 14, 2016, in Geneva. More to come on this one, for sure, as we get closer to the auction date.
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