5 Extremely Rare Watches Up For Auction In October

Phillips, in association with Bacs & Russo, will hold its inaugural New York auction, “Winning Icons: Legendary Watches of the 20th Century" on October 26, 2017, where 50 exceptionally rare and iconic watches will go under the hammer. Famous auctioneer Aurel Bacs will lead the sale highlighted by none other than Paul Newman's own Rolex Daytona 'Paul Newman'. Below are five watches we've got our eyes on:

1. Audemars Piguet Ref. 5516

Above Audemars Piguet Ref. 5516 (Photo: Courtesy of Phillips)

Perpetual calendars are an integral part of Audemars Piguet’s DNA and reference 5516 was the first perpetual calendar wristwatch to feature a leap year indicator on the dial. Only nine examples were produced, and only six of them have the leap year indication at 12 o’clock (four of them sit in the company’s Heritage Collection). This is a rare opportunity for collectors to own one of the most important watches in the history of watchmaking.

2. Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” Ref. 6239

Above Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239 (Photo: Courtesy of Phillips)

The Rolex Daytona with “exotic dial” was nicknamed the “Paul Newman Daytona” in the 1980s by collectors when they noticed the famous actor and racecar driver wearing one himself. On October 26, Phillips will be offering at auction the Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona owned and worn by Paul Newman himself. The caseback features the wonderful “DRIVE CAREFULLY ME” engraving by his wife Joanne Woodward. This is the ultimate Rolex Daytona that will ever grace an auction floor.

3. Patek Philippe Ref. 1518

Above Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 (Photo: Courtesy of Phillips)

The reference 1518 from Patek Philippe was watchmaking’s first ever perpetual calendar wristwatch combined with a chronograph function. Only 281 pieces were made with roughly 20 percent in rose gold like the example seen above, making it a very desirable watch for any serious collector.

4. Philippe Dufour Duality number ‘00’

Above Philippe Dufour Duality (Photo: Courtesy of Phillips)

A living legend to many, master watchmaker Philippe Dufour introduced his iconic Duality model in 1996, the world’s first wristwatch incorporating a double escapement. Only nine were ever made and this one bears the number ‘00’, making it the very first Duality ever produced by Philippe Dufour. This could be considered the holy grail of contemporary watchmaking.

5. Cartier Crash

Above Cartier Crash (Photo: Courtesy of Phillips)

Two theories make up the origin of the Cartier Crash design. Some believe it was an attempt to reproduce the distorted clocks in Salvador Dali's famed painting, The Persistence of Memory, while others believe the design comes from a Cartier Maxi Baignoire Alongee that had melted in the flames of a burning car. Very limited batches of the famed design were released since 1967, and the Crash remains not just one of the most surprising designs of the 20th century, but one of the greatest.

Watch auctioneer Aurel Bacs talk about some of the highlights of the 'Winning Icons' auction in the video below:

Video: Kevin Cureau / Hong Kong Tatler

Topics

Luxury Watches Watch Auction Vintage Watches

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