Antiquorum Auctioneers, the world’s premier watch auctioneer, presents its April 20th auction of “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces” to be held at Antiquorum’s US headquarters located at 805 Third Avenue in New York City.
The highlight of the sale is a Patek Philippe Ref. 5013 in platinum. Production of this reference started in 1992. It is an extremely rare and important tonneau-shaped, minute-repeating astronomic wristwatch with retrograde perpetual calendar, moon phases and leap year indication. Combining a minute-repeater with a retrograde function sets this highly complex timepiece apart from other watches and offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire an outstanding example of horological achievement.
Estimate: US$350,000 – 550,000
Another top highlight of the sale is the Patek Philippe Ref. 2497 First Series in yellow gold. Produced in 1953, this is a very fine and rare, astronomic, center seconds, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phases.
Estimate: $ 150,000 – 250,000
Elvis Presley and Corum fans will be competing for Elvis’ Corum “Buckingham” offered in the April auction. Made circa 1960, this unique and historically important Corum wristwatch was worn by Elvis and gifted to his close friend, Richard Davis. It is a fine and unusual, large, square 18K yellow gold watch accompanied by a box, 8 color photos of Elvis wearing the watch and authentication correspondence.
Richard Davis began working with Elvis in the early 1960’s as his valet, wardrobe assistant stand-in and personal body guard. Davis worked for him until 1971 and remained Elvis’ close friend until his untimely death in 1977. As stated in the accompanying letter of attestation, Elvis wore the watch quite often and one day while he and Davis were conversing removed it from his wrist claiming there was something wrong with the back of it. When Davis turned the timepiece over to inspect it he saw that the case back had been inscribed “To Richard, From E.P.” As detailed in the letter, Elvis then said, “I guess it’s yours now.” The King of Rock n Roll was known for being extremely generous, often giving away his valuable belongings as presents, particularly to the Memphis Mafia (group of friends and employees who surrounded Elvis) so it was not surprising that he gifted his prized Corum to his right-hand man and close friend, Richard Davis.
Estimate: $10,000 -20,000
