Coronavirus postpones the Geneva Watch Auction: XI but LVMH heavyweight Jean-Claude Biver’s rare Patek Philippe timepieces will still go under the hammer
Auction house Phillips’ was set to host the 11th edition of its luxury timepiece sale from May 9, but like everything else, it’s been postponed amid the coronavirus outbreak
Watch industry heavyweight, non-executive president of LVMH Watches Division and prolific collector Jean-Claude Biver has partnered with Phillips, in association with Bacs & Russo, to bring a handful of his Patek Philippe watches to the auction block.
The auction house’s Geneva Watch Auction: XI was set to kick off on May 9 at La Réserve Genève Hotel. But in light of the coronavirus pandemic, which is spreading Covid-19, the house has opted to postpone the auction until further notice. Despite the delay, here’s a first look at the four Patek Philippe watches that will be up for grabs. Phillips describes Biver’s collection, amassed over decades, as “one of the greatest and most curated collections of timepieces”.
Like a true collector, Biver is no stranger to selling and buying to refresh and complete his collection; selling at auction is also a way for pieces to continue on their life journey beyond a single owner. “The beauty of collecting art is that it connects you to eternity. I am proud, today, through the sale of these outstanding pieces that I am able to share a piece of my eternity,” he said.
The four watches are the Ref 96HU World Time from 193, a Reference 2499 second series from 1957, and one of only three known platinum Reference 1579 watches from 1946, as well as the 1518 in pink gold with an even rarer pink dial from 1948, which has the highest estimate price upwards of two million Swiss Francs (US$2,078,556).
The reference 1518 was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch ever produced in series when it was introduced in 1941 by Patek Philippe. Only 13 examples of this particular reference with a pink dial are known to exist.
Together Biver’s lots are expected to to reach between .3 and 6.6 million Swiss Francs.
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