Elvis Presley’s Omega Constellation Sells for a World Record Price of $52,500
Elvis Presley’s Omega Constellation Sells for a World Record Price of $52,500 Antiquorum’s auction of “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces, Part 2″, held on June 12th in New York, brought in $4,437,225. The collection of 269 outstanding timepieces sold nearly 80% by lot and 116% by value. Strong international participationcame from countries such as China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the United States.The highlight of the sale was the much anticipated Omega Constellation that formerly belonged to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley [lot 192]. The bids for the highly sought-after timepiece quickly escalated from $10,000 to an incredible $52,500, over five times its pre-sale estimate and a world record for the reference.“We are exceptionally pleased with the result for Elvis Presley’s Omega Constellation in today’s sale. Antiquorum is proud to add to its growing list of world records for timepieces with important provenance that includes Gandhi’s Zenith pocket watch, Steve McQueen’s Rolex and Einstein’s Longines,” said Evan Zimmermann, President & CEO, Antiquorum.
The top lot by value was the exceptional Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 [lot 269], a tourbillon minute repeater with custom grey dial. Two phone bidders enthusiastically vied for the rare timepiece and it ultimately sold to a Chinese phone bidder for an impressive $542,500.
Additional examples of Patek Philippe timepieces also sold remarkably well. Notably, the Patek Philippe Ref. 3974 in yellow gold, a minute-repeating perpetual calendar [lot 268], brought an astounding $380,500. Furthermore, discontinued Patek Philippes achieved noteworthy prices in the June auction, including Ref. 5885, Ref. 5098, the “Gondolo,” and the Ref. 5036.
Several other brands were well-represented in the sale. Lange and Soehne achieved an impressive result for its “Pour le Merite” in yellow gold [lot 267], selling for a fantastic $188,500; while spirited bidding for the Ulysse Nardin “Trilogy of Time” [lot 146], resulted in an exceptional price of $164,500, twice its low estimate.
Bovet attained an exceptional result for “The Elephant & The Snake.” [lot 131] The enamel and pearl-set pocket watch achieved an outstanding $74,500, over twice its high estimate, confirming that exceptionally rare and well-made pocket watches from the 19th century continue to achieve extraordinary prices at auction.
Also performing astonishingly well, from the property of a private collector, were the Jaeger- LeCoultre Eight Days Perpetual Calendars. The pink gold example [lot 81] sold for $38,750 and the platinum version [lot 82] attained $52,500.
Finally Franck Muller and FP Journe achieved superior results. The Franck Muller Ref. 2851 RM QP Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar in yellow gold [lot 212] exceeded its high estimate, selling for $62,500 and the FP Journe Octa Chronograph in platinum [lot 260] obtained $42,500, more than twice its low estimate.
“We were impressed by the remarkable results for today’s sale. The diverse interests of the global market resulted in outstanding prices for complicated watches from multiple brands including Lange and Soehne, Patek Philippe, Jaeger – LeCoultre and Ulysse Nardin,” said Michael Friedman, Horological Diretctor, Antiquorum USA. Antiquorum looks forward to its next auction on June 23rd in Hong Kong, which will feature a fantastic collection of Patek Philippe wristwatches as well as an impressive selection of rare Rolex diving watches.
The “Top Lots” for Antiquorum’s June 12th auction are as follows:
Lot 269
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5016 TOURBILLON MINUTE REPEATER PERPETUAL CALENDAR CUSTOM GREY DIAL YELLOW GOLD. Made in 2001, sold October 26th, 2001. Extremely fine, rare and important, astronomic, minute-repeating, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with one-minute tourbillon regulator, retrograde perpetual calendar, moon phases, and custom grey dial. Accompanied by the original fitted box, Certificate of Origin, chronometer certificate, a solid yellow gold case back and booklet.
Sold for: $542, 500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $ 450,000 USD – $ 650,000
Lot 268
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 3974 YELLOW GOLD. Made in 1992, sold November 16th, 1992. Extremely fine and rare, astronomic, minute repeating, self-winding, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, leap year indication and moon. Accompanied by the original Patek mahogany fitted box, Certificate of Origin and setting pin.
Sold for: $380,500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $250,000 – $400,000
Lot 88
JAEGER-LECOULTRE REF. 149.6.07.S, GYROTOURBILLON 1, PLATINUM, No. 49/75. Made in a limited edition of 75 pieces in platinum. Sold September 15th, 2008. Exceptional and highly complicated, large, water-resistant, 8-day going platinum wristwatch with visible Jaeger-LeCoultre caliber 177 with inclined lightweight two-cage multi-axis spherical tourbillon, two barrels with sapphire covers, “marchante” equation of time, perpetual calendar with retrograde month indication, leap-year indication and patented instant date display by means of two retrograde hands, power reserve indication and ”1000 Hours Control”. Accompanied by the original fitted box, guarantee and two books.
Sold for: $314,500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $250,000 – $ 350,000
Lot 259
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5004 PLATINUM. Made in 1998. Very fine, rare and important, water-resistant, platinum wristwatch with split-seconds chronograph, registers, perpetual calendar, moon phases, leap year and 24-hour indication. Accompanied by the original fitted wooden box, Certificate of Origin, instructions, additional solid platinum case back and setting pin.
Sold for: $242, 500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000
Lot 145
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5102 CELESTIAL WHITE GOLD. Made in 2003, sold on September 18, 2003. Extremely fine, rare and unusual, astronomic, self-winding, 18K white gold wristwatch with mean time indication, nocturnal sky chart of the Northern Hemisphere, moon phases and moon orbit, time of the meridian passage of Sirius and moon. Accompanied by the original fitted box and Certificate of Origin.
Sold for: $218, 500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $180,000 – $220,000
Lot 267
A. LANGE & SÖHNE REF. 701.001 TOURBILLON YELLOW GOLD Pour le Mérite, No. 54/150. Made in a limited edition of 150 pieces in 1996. Extremely fine and very rare, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with visible one-minute tourbillon regulator and 36-hour power reserve indication. Accompanied by the original fitted box, warranty and instruction booklet.
Sold for: $ 188,500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $120,000 – $180,000
Lot 146
ULYSSE NARDIN TRILOGY OF TIME SET OF THREE EXTRAORDINARY PLATINUM ASTRONOMICAL WATCHES. A limited edition set of three very rare and very fine platinum wristwatches. Made in a limited edition of 100 sets circa 2004. Accompanied by the original fitted winding box, setting and adjustment tools, a presentation book, CD, certificates and instructions for each model.
Sold for: $164,500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $80,000 – $ 120,000
Lot 119
PIAGET REF. 4154 GALAXY WHITE GOLD & DIAMONDS. Made circa 2002. Exceptionally fine, rare and important, diamond-set 18K white gold bracelet watch, the case and bracelet channel-set with 456 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 51.9 ct), the dial set with 42 baguette-cut diamonds (approx. 6.2 ct).
Sold for: $134,500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $120,000 – $180,000
Lot 78
PATEK PHILIPPE REF. 5970 PINK GOLD. Sold November 9th, 2005. Very fine, astronomic, water-resistant, 18K pink gold wristwatch with square button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases and tachometer. Accompanied by the original wooden box, Certificate of Origin, setting pin and booklets.
Sold for: $122,500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $90,000 – $140,000
Lot 258
PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 3970 YELLOW GOLD. Made in 1988, sold on June 15, 1988. Very fine water-resistant, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, register, perpetual calendar, moon phases, leap year indication and 24-hour indication. Accompanied by a Patek Philippe fitted box and Extract from the Archives.
Sold for: $86,500
Pre-Auction Estimate: $60,000 – $80,000
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