WORLD'S MOST COMPLICATED AND HENCE MOST EXPENSIVE WATCH FOR SALE. THE WORLD FAMOUS PATEK PHILIPPE CALIBRE 89 POCKET WATCH TO BE AUCTIONED BY SOTHEBY'S FFROM RM 30 MILLION TO RM 45 MILLION. IF SO I WILL BUY IT AS A SIMILAR PATEK PHILLIPE WATCH CALLED HENRY GRAVES WATCH SOLD FOR RM 108 MILLION TEN YEARS AGO AND IT HAS ONLY 29 COMPLICATIONS COMPARED TO CALIBRE 89 WHICH HAS 33 COMPLICATIONS! SO I EXPECT CALIBRE 89 WILL SELL FOR RM 130 MILLION! AT LEAST.

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

             

The “Calibre 89”

Patek Philippe’s Most Complicated Watch

Estimated CHF 6.5–10 million/$6.4-9.9 million  

To Lead Sotheby’s Geneva ‘Important Watches’ Sale

 FRONT OF WATCH

BACK OF WATCH (THOUGH IT DOES NOT MATTER WHICH SIDE IS FRONT OR BACK AS BOTH SIDES FEATURE SUPER COMPLICATIONS!)

Sotheby’s will auction the legendary Patek Philippe Yellow-Gold Calibre 89 for auction at the Important Watches sale in Geneva on 14 May 2017. After research began in 1980, nearly a decade of craftsmanship and refinement made the Calibre 89 the most complicated watch ever created when Patek Philippe unveiled it in 1989 to mark their 150^th anniversary. 

Offered with an estimate of CHF 6.5–10 million / $6.4-9.9 million, this horological masterwork is one of the most important watches ever to be offered at auction, and it today, remains the brand’s mechanical Ambassador.  

WATCH A VIDEO OF THE CALIBRE 89 IN ACTION

Commenting on the forthcoming sale of the Calibre 89, Daryn Schnipper, Sotheby’s Chairman of the International Watch Division, said, “This is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary timepieces we’ve ever had the privilege to offer. 

"Having set a world record for any timepiece with the sale of Patek Philippe’s Henry Graves Supercomplication, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to offer yet another unique piece of such horological genius and importance.” 

The Calibre 89 has 33 Complications, nine more than the Graves’ 24 Complications, sold at Sotheby’s in 2014 for a record-breaking $24 million.  The pocket watch remains a tour de force in innovation and importance to this day. 

Nine years later in 1998, the final three Calibre 89 watches were finished – in rose gold, white gold and platinum. A prototype of the watch is also displayed at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva.  

Leading the spring ‘Important Watches’ sale in Geneva, the Calibre 89 is the most complex mechanical watch ever made by Patek Philippe. Weighing 1100 grams (2lbs 6.4oz) and measuring 88.2 mm in diameter (with the case) and comprising 24 hands, 2 dials, 8 disks, 61 bridges, 129 jewels, 184 wheels, 332 screws, 415 pins and 429 mechanical components, the watch is comprised of an astonishing 1,728 parts. 

In addition to the complex calendar functions, including a tourbillon escapement and an astronomical sun hand, the watch features a unique calendar which displays the date of Easter every year. 

This exceptional timepiece will be offered during the inaugural season at Sotheby’s brand new sales location in Mandarin Oriental, Geneva.

Exhibition dates

Dubai: 14 - 18 March

Hong Kong: 31 March – 4 April 

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Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973), India (1992) and France (2001), and the first international fine art auction house in China (2012). 

Today, Sotheby’s presents auctions in 10 different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris, and Sotheby’s BidNow program allows visitors to view all auctions live online and place bids from anywhere in the world. 

Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art financing company, as well as the collection advisory services of its subsidiary, Art Agency, Partners.  Sotheby’s presents private sale opportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby's Global Fine Art Division, and two retail businesses, Sotheby’s Diamonds and Sotheby’s Wine. 

Sotheby’s has a global network of 80 offices in 40 countries and is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (BID).

  *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.