First Vacheron Constantin Auction Sets World Records
By William George Shuster, Senior Editor -- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 7/1/2005
Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin, marking its 250th anniversary this year, set several world records in the first-ever thematic auction of its timepieces. The sale was held by the Antiquorum auction house, which auctioned 250 sought-after classic and new timepieces in the Quarter Millennium of Vacheron Constantin held April 3 in Geneva.
Among those world records were:
- More than 18.1 million Swiss francs ($15 million), the highest amount ever raised in a thematic watch auction;
- Sale of the King Fouad I pocket watch (1929) for 3,306,250 Swiss francs ($2.7 million), making it the most sought-after Vacheron Constantin pocket watch and the fifth most sought-after in the world;
- Sale of the Tour de l'Ile, a new double-face astronomic watch with visible tourbillon for 1,876,250 Swiss francs (more than $1.5 million), a world record for a modern wristwatch;
- The sale of Saint-Gervais, an exceptional men's watch in platinum made to mark the company's quarter millennium (including an incredible 250-hour power reserve, one-minute tourbillon regulator, and perpetual calendar), sold for 446,250 Swiss francs ($374,000).
"This sale has clearly confirmed Vacheron Constantin's importance in the world of watch collecting, and reaffirmed its place in the top echelon of watch manufacturers," said Osvaldo Patrizzi, chairman of Antiquorum.
Vacheron Constantin officials told JCK this is the start of a new direction for the venerable watchmaker, which will, they said, be more active in the world of fine-watch auctions.
