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Phillips Game Changers Vintage Watch Auction Lives Up to Its Name

Some watches just look great. Some watches make you feel great. Some watches have greatness thrust upon them — by who wore them, who owns them, who made them. And if you want to find 75 of these watches in one place, check out “Game Changers,” the one-of-a-kind auction to be held at Phillips New York (and presented in association with Bacs & Russo) on December 10.

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This auction will be your chance to own The Jack Nicklaus Rolex Day-Date, a spectacular timepiece owned by the legendary golf champion; The Marlon Brando “Apocalypse Now” Rolex GMT-Master, worn in the acclaimed movie by the late, legendary Oscar-winning actor; the unusual Urwerk UR-105 CT, worn by Robert Downey Jr. in the blockbuster 2019 film ”Avengers: Endgame;” as well as highly coveted and collectible pieces from A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Omega and Richard Mille.

Viewings of these special timepieces will take place in seven prime locations beginning in London on October 25 (followed by stops in Singapore, Geneva, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and then New York).

“This is one of the strongest sales that our team has had the privilege of assembling, with a remarkable number of ground-breaking watches making their auction debut for the first time,” says Paul Boutros, head of Phillips Watches. “We are especially proud to have put this auction together considering the importance and rarity of so many of the watches to be offered.”

There’s star quality of all sorts to be found at the auction, from Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas Dual-Time Prototype, which was made for the American explorer and photographer Cory Richard to wear during his third attempt at climbing Mount Everest to Rolex’s Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman Lemon (named for its intensely colored dial) and Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman John Player Special (one of the most iconic watches of this series) to a pair of watches — one by Jaeger-LeCoultre and one by Breitling — worn by an original Mercury Seven astronaut.

But “Game Changers” is not just a game of “who wore it best.”  The auction also includes such important timepieces as Urwerk’s state-of-the-art AMC watch, which is comprised of an atomic master clock and a titanium mechanical wristwatch; two extraordinary vintage Patek Philippe perpetual calendar wristwatches being offered for the first time publicly — a legendary reference 1518 in 18k pink gold with a pink dial and a possibly unique reference 2499 in 18k yellow gold; and Tag Heuer’s stunning Monaco Piece d’Art, created in honor of the 50th Anniversary of this unique model.

On top of making a statement on a statement of your wrist, buying some of the watches in the auction will make a statement about your philanthropic virtues. Among the numerous charities that will benefit from this auction are the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, The One Drop Foundation, The United Way, United Way of New York City, the National Geographic Society and Random Acts. 

Can there be any better “cause” to add your watch wardrobe?

Breitling and LeCoultre

Left: Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute | Reference: 809

Estimate: $40,000 – 80,000

A very rare, extremely well-preserved, and historically important stainless steel chronograph wristwatch, purchased by the consignor directly from the estate sale of Senator John H. Glenn, Jr.

Right: LeCoultre “Lucky 13” | Reference: 3027

Estimate: $20,000 – 40,000

A unique, historically important and unusual gold-filled time-only wristwatch with center seconds and “Lucky 13” dial, purchased by the consignor directly from the estate sale of Senator John H. Glenn, Jr.

Patek Philippe

Left: Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph | Reference: 1518

Estimate: $1,200,000 – 2,400,000

A highly important, very rare, and exceptional perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in 18 karat pink gold, circa 1947.

Right: Patek Philippe  Perpetual Calendar Chronograph | Reference: 2499

Estimate: $1,000,000 – 2,000,000

A very rare, historically important, and possibly unique perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in 18 karat yellow gold, circa 1951.

TAG Heuer and Vacheron Constantin

Left: TAG Heuer Monaco Piece d’Art, Unique Piece 50th Anniversary

Estimate: $30,000 to $60,000

An extraordinary and unique stainless steel 50th anniversary chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee, unique presentation box, original drawing, and accessories.

Right: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual-Time Prototype | Reference:  7910V/000T-B603

Estimate: $20,000 – 40,000

A unique and attractive titanium and tantalum anti-magnetic dual-time wristwatch with day/night indicator, central seconds, and date, worn by Cory Richards on Mount Everest.

Rolex

Left: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman Lemon” | Reference: 6264

Estimate: $450,000 – 900,000

An extraordinarily rare, extremely attractive, and important yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman Lemon” dial and service guarantee, circa 1969.

Right: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman John Player Special” | Reference: 6241

Estimate: $350,000 – 700,000

A very fine, rare and highly attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” dial and original guarantee, circa 1968.

Urwerk

Left: Urwerk AMC (Atomic Mechanical Control)

Estimate: $1,000,000 – 2,000,000

A unique, extremely rare, and historically important Atomic Master Clock with paired titanium wristwatch with power reserve, two stacked barrels, and oil change indicator, with certificate of origin and carrying case, circa 2018.

Right: Urwerk UR-105C Avengers Endgame | Reference: UR-105 CT Iron

Estimate: $30,000 – 60,000

A rare, very fine, and unique titanium wristwatch with satellite time display, turbine winding system, and power reserve, worn by Robert Downey Jr. in Avengers: Endgame.

If you still didn't see a watch that satisfied your horological cravings, check out all our watch coverage. You're sure to find something. 

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How to Buy Watches at Auction

“Does anyone really know what time it is?” the rock supergroup Chicago asked America in 1969, and 50 years later, the literal answer is almost everyone. Thanks to cell phones and other smart technology, it’s super-easy to discover if it’s 11:11pm or 2:22am. However, more and more men — especially those in their 20s and 30s — are beginning to look for the answer to that question on their wrist. Yes, watches have once again become a must-have accessory.

RELATED: The 7 Best Pre-Owned Rolex Watches You Can Buy at Walmart

Why Buy Watches at Auction

Price: Prices for watches at auction may often be less than current market prices for similar models. No waitlist: Some vintage watches are almost identical to current models that have become so popular they are no longer readily available in a retail setting. Unique materials: Many vintage watches use materials that are no longer used today, even by the company that first introduced the watch (e.g. white gold). Wiser decision making: Buying at auction gives you time to think about your purchase, so you don't end up making an impulse buy you might later regret. Specialized help: Auction specialists are extremely knowledgeable about all kinds and brands of watches and are happy to answer any questions you might have about a watch.

Longtime devotees of these timepieces have long turned to auctions to augment their collections, but “Christie’s Watches Online: The Keystone Collection” (on which bidding concludes on August 13) is geared both to guys who want to keep building their “watch wardrobe” as well as those who want to start getting in on the action. “When I walk down the street, I look at every guy’s wrist, no matter where I am,” says Rich Lopez, senior watch specialist at Christies. “What I have seen more than ever before is that many men — especially younger guys — are wearing watches every day, and whether it’s a Seiko or a Rolex, they’re buying them for the purpose of telling time.”

Auctions have proven particularly popular for watch buyers in recent years, in large part because the selection of vintage watches available cannot usually be found in stores. Still, newcomers to the auction world may feel wary about participating, although Lopez says there’s no reason to be nervous. (In fact, he’s happy to make himself available for questions about both the watches and the auction procedures; you can even email him). “I really want first-time buyers to enter the market,” says Lopez.

Among the advantages of an auction, especially at a house like Christie’s, is that you can be assured that the watches are fairly valued. “I look at the market, I go to watch fairs, where I can see the low and high ends of what’s available, and based on all that and my own knowledge, I tend to price our estimates (the expected price the watch will go for) on the conservative side,” says Lopez. “Here, we placed many of our estimates in the $3,000 to $10,000 range specifically in order to attract buyers.”

Lopez notes that whatever the final selling price, it does not include a non-negotiable 25 percent buyers’ premium. In addition, new customers should be aware that any item that does not meet the house’s minimum price — known as the reserve — will not be sold.

Most importantly, an auction also gives time buyers a chance to think about their purchase. They are usually announced weeks in advance, with the items for sale available to view on the auction house’s website, and sometimes even in person. (For this sale, viewings at Christie’s Rockefeller Center location ended last week.)

“We know there are plenty of people out there who, given the chance, would like to buy these watches outright,” Lopez notes, “but an auction is designed to give as many people as possible a chance to look at these watches, talk to me if they need to and then decide what’s the right watch for them.”

This auction is the first time that Christie’s has partnered with a company like The Keystone, a five-year-old, Beverly Hills-based operation whose sole purpose is to collect vintage watches and re-sell them to consumers. “We constantly hunt for the best watches in the field,” says co-founder Max Abbott, “and we purposely curated this auction so there would be something for everyone, which is why there are over 230 men’s and ladies’ timepieces in all price points and styles.”

Adds Lopez: “This auction also provides amazing opportunities for people who love some of the current watches on the market that are on multi-year back order. And often, if you’re willing to buy a vintage model, you can essentially get the same watch for half the price.”

That’s especially true for the most popular and timeless type: stainless-steel sport watches. “They are [a really great investment] right now because they can be had at a great price in the vintage category; they’re durable; and they’re very masculine,” says Lopez.

“People are more casually dressed at work — they’re not wearing suits and ties anymore — and a steel watch is an everyday, anytime kind of timepiece,” says Abbott. “And there’s a great nostalgia for the movie stars who first made these watches popular, like Paul Newman and Steve McQueen, and the adventurous spirit that these guys embody.”

While many brands are represented in the auction, Lopez admits that buyers will see a large selection from Rolex and Patek Phillipe. “We’ve found people are really attracted to the names they know, but I think some of the best buys are from lesser-known brands like Enicar and Wakmann. I think these watches will really increase in value over time.”

Those buyers looking for investment pieces should also consider so-called “bracelet watches,” which are known for their gold bracelet-like straps and dressier appearance. “Bracelet watches have lost some of their appeal over time, but I still see great value and beauty in these timepieces,” says Lopez. “And since the watch market, like every market, is cyclical, they’re likely to come back into style in the future.”

So whether you think it’s the right time for your first watch or your tenth watch, or whether you’re looking for something simple or extremely ornate, the odds of finding exactly what you’re looking for at “Christie’s Watches Online: The Keystone Collection” and other expertly curated timepiece auctions are in your favor.

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