Urban Jürgensen pocket watch shatters estimate

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Urban Jürgensen pocket watch shatters estimate - Antiquorum
An exceptionally rare Urban Jürgensen 18K rose gold pocket chronometer sold for CHF 747,750 in Geneva.

Antiquorum’s May 15th auction of “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces” totaled CHF 5,735,437 with 171% sold by value.

The top lot of the sale was the Urban Jürgensen ‘The Krusenstern’ Chronometer in Rose Gold (lot 84). The very rare 18K rose gold pocket chronometer with Arnold spring detent chronometer escapement inspired extraordinarily competitive bidding the world over. Initially, four bidders battled over the coveted chronometer and as the bid topped CHF 80,000, two dropped out leaving the competition to a room and a phone bidder. Ultimately, the rare timepiece sold to the room bidder for CHF 747,750, over 12 times its high estimate.

Urban-Jurgensen-Krusenstern-Chronometer

Also from the Jürgensen collection, the Jules Jürgensen Minute-Repeating Perpetual Calendar and Chronograph in Pink Gold (lot 214) sold for nearly double its high estimate at CHF 87,500.

 "We are ecstatic with the outcome for the Jurgensen collection in our May sale,” said Etienne Lemenager Director & Watch Expert of Antiquorum Geneva. “It was an honor to present such an extensive selection of remarkable Jurgensen examples and we are thrilled that the results reflect the exceptional quality of the pieces.  With 177% of the collection sold by value, it is evident that rare Urban Jurgensen watches continue to stand the test of time.”

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Also underscoring the sale was the highly sought-after Patek Philippe Ref. 3651 (lot 476) - an extremely rare 18K gold chronograph, sold for CHF 207,750 - and the Patek Philippe Ref. 725 “American” Digital Perpetual Calendar Pocket Watch in Yellow Gold (lot 426), sold for nearly double its low estimate at CHF 93,750.

Patek-Philippe-Ref-3651

Audemars Piguet attained an impressive result with the Audemars Piguet Napoleon Reviewing The Troops Minute Repeating Enamel Pocket Watch in Yellow Gold (lot 243). The exceptionally rare pocket watch with double enamel scene and minute-repeating function finally sold for CHF 183,750, over quadruple its high estimate.

The Vacheron Constantin One Minute Tourbillon 1st Prize Winner at Geneva Observatory pocket watch (lot 164) incited competitive bidding, selling for CHF 183,750, over double its high estimate.

Rare enamel pocket watches from Piguet & Meylan and Bovet attained some spectacular results in the May sale. Bovet Enamel Fancy Birds Gold Pocket Watch Made for the Chinese Market ( lot 197) sold for CHF 117,750, nearly double its high estimate.

An exceptional Rolex Ref. 16518/16500 Porcelain Daytona Diamond Index N Serial Mark II (lot 131) was acquired for CHF 76,250, over triple its high estimate.

Vintage Heuers from the late 40’s thru the 70’s continue to attract collectors as seen by the Heuer Ref. 2447 Chronograph with Black Dial (lot 362) and the Heuer Ref. 110.313R Silverstone in Steel (lot 363) offered in the auction; both achieved remarkable results exceeding their high estimates.

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Urban Jürgensen