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
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 150th
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.
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.
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