Christie’s Watches Dubai Announces Early Highlights

Christie’s is delighted to announce its Spring 2022 watch sale taking place online from 15 to 30 March 2022. The curated selection of more than 150 watches will be on view at Christie’s Dubai during the full time the online sale will be ongoing and the Dubai watch team would be delighted to show and discuss any watch on offer. The upcoming Dubai Watches auction will be the first Christie’s will be conducting in 2022, following an exceptional year for watches for the company. Below the 5 main statistics recapturing the 2021 success before speaking about upcoming highlights: 

• Record year totaling US$205 million: +257% increase vs 2020 and +157% vs 2019.

• Average sell-through rates: 90% by lot.
• Bidders and buyers welcomed from 73 countries
• 41% of all registrants in 2021 were new to Christie’s.
• Millennial collectors represented 33% of clients in Christie’s Watches auctions.

Remy Julia, Had of Watches Christie’s Dubai, India & Africa commented: “Christie’s Watches Dubai set many new records in 2021 such as achieving the highest annual total for watch auctions in the region at $24.5 million, selling the most expensive watch in the Middle East, a Patek Philippe Ref.5002-P, a Sky Moon Tourbillon for $1,590,000, also becoming the most expensive watch ever sold online at Christie’s and Watches Online: The Dubai Edit sale in April 2021 totalled US$14.1 million becoming the highest sale total for any online watches sale at Christie’s. Dubai is an increasingly important hub for the collecting community and gives sellers the assurance of achieving strong prices for exceptional pieces. The upcoming online sale will proof of this development and we are looking forward showcasing and discussing the exceptional watches on offer between 15 to 30 March at Christie’s Dubai.”    

2022 watch season will kick off in Dubai by presenting  a curated sale of more than 150 watches covering all aspects of the market from vintage to unique pieces. 

Richard Mille RM70-01 Tourbillon Alain Proust

The Richard Mille RM70-01 Tourbillon Alain Proust is a great example how the brand pushes the boundaries of watchmaking. Unveiled in 2017, the watch was created in partnership with four-time Formula One champion Alain Proust, today an enthusiast cyclist. The watch brings together a tourbillon movement with an unusual complication – a mechanical odometer that can tally distances up to 99,999 kilometres.

Furthermore, the watch’s asymmetrical shape provides comfort on the wrist whilst the cyclist grips the handlebars. The case is made from Carbon TPT, a material known for its durability and lightness, and now synonymous with the brand. With a limited edition of just 30 pieces, the watch – estimate is provided by request only.

Rolex Daytona ‘Rainbow’

This is the most desirable modern Rolex Daytona reference. Set with 36 baguette-cut sapphires in a rainbow gradation around the bezel, framing a black lacquer dial with counters made with gold crystals and the mid-case set with 56 brilliant-cut diamonds. Due to the nature of its production, these models were made in very limited edition and have an artisanal-like quality, proven by the gem-setting on the bezel. As a result, demand for these Rainbow Daytonas has far outstripped supply (estimate: $300,000-500,000).

F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain with brass movement

Since 2005 F. P. Journe’s timepieces are made of 18k gold movements but early models made between 2001 and 2004, featured movements made from brass. It is estimated that only around 2,000 timepieces were fitted with brass movements and as a result are more collectible and are significant for an epoch in the watchmaker’s career.

The Tourbillon Souverain launched F. P. Journe’s illustrious career in 1999. It was the first wristwatch to combine a remontoire d’égalité (a constant force device that ensures a consistent supply of power from the mainspring to the escapement) with a tourbillon and established F. P. Journe’s status as a technical and design genius (estimate: $400,000-600,000).

F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Black Label

Launched in the year 2000, the Chronomètre à Résonance was the second wristwatch developed by F.P. Journe featuring two balance wheels that oscillate in resonance with each other, a technical tour de force. The present watch’s exclusivity is further enhanced by being a Black Label Edition, reserved exclusively for existing F.P. Journe clients only. The Black Label Editions were distinguished by their platinum cases and black lacquer dials and only 12 Black Label pieces are allotted to the boutiques in any year, with just two pieces for each model in the collection (estimate: $250,000-450,000).

Patek Philippe Ref. 3974J

One of the most important watches ever made in series by Patek Philippe, reference 3974 was launched in 1989 to celebrate the brand’s 150th anniversary. At the time, this was the world’s most complicated wristwatch, combining a minute repeater with a perpetual calendar complication. Only around 160 examples of the Ref. 3974 were made, the majority in yellow gold. Early examples of this reference, like the one we are offering in this sale, were presented with a case made by the legendary Jean-Pierre Hagmann.

The watch is powered by an impressive Cal. 27 RQ, a 22K micro-rotor movement that is made of 467 parts. Reference 3974 is now considered a modern classic epitomising the strengths and wonderful acoustics of Patek Philippe minute repeaters and ceased production in 2000 (estimate: $350,000-450,000 | ill. right)

A unique Patek Philippe Ref. 3940G perpetual calendar made for Michael Ovitz

Made on special order for Michael S. Ovitz, the former president of the Walt Disney Company, this ref. 3940 (ill. Left), second series, perpetual calendar in white gold features a exclusive dial in pink gold with applied Breguet numerals. Ovitz commissioned many custom-made Patek

Philippe watches, all bearing his stylised initials, M.S.O. on the dial. Reference 3940 is a considered the quintessential Patek Philippe perpetual calendar and was produced between 1984 and 2007, making it one of the longest production models in the brand’s history (estimate: $100,000-200,000).