Monaco Legend Group demonstrated its strength in the market with a two-day sale that set new records.
The strongly-curated sale included a unique Rolex Yacht-Master made for the former president of Rolex, Patrick Heiniger, an incredibly well-preserved Patek Philippe World Time and a white gold Nautilus made for the Sultan of Oman with Khanjar logo dial.
The sale took place over the weekend of April 22 and 23 at Le Meridien Beach Plaza over three sessions. Le Meridien is now Monaco Legend Group’s established
auction weekend location.
“Our group of friends and collectors enjoyed fantastic views, an incredible atmosphere and a very enjoyable and successful weekend for all,” said Claude Cohen, Monaco Legend Group Co-Chairman.
The catalogue’s cover lot was the unique prototype Yacht-Master made for the Heiniger family. The watch sold for €2.3million, which is an outstanding result. The Yacht-Master was made entirely in platinum and featured a reference in the case back. Furthermore, the watch was fitted with a platinum Oyster bracelet, complete with flip lock, which is also unique. The dial has diamond hour markers with baguette-cut sapphires at six and nine and a triangular-cut sapphire 12.
Similar in some ways to the known Serti dials, this unique silver dial has a one of a kind colour and finish and is signed “DIX MILLIOIEME CHRONOMETRE”, to celebrate the 10-millionth chronometer movement made by Rolex.
A Patek Philippe World Time 2523 sold for €3.036 million. This World Time was originally sold in 1968 and remains in astonishingly good condition. Only 15 examples were made in yellow gold, with the whereabouts of 10 pieces currently known.
Among the other top sellers was an Omani Patek Philippe Nautilus from the personal collection of John Goldberger that sold for €1.3 million. The white gold reference 3700 was fresh to the market, having been in Goldberger’s collection for over two decades. The watch was a special order by Sultan Qaboos of Oman and features the Khanjar dagger and swords on the dial and is one of three known examples that were specially made for the Sultan.
Monaco Legend Group Co-Chairman Davide Parmegiani said he was delighted with the result: “This has been our best auction to date and, again, we had an incredible atmosphere with a group of amazing friends who we deeply appreciate. I am confident than Monaco Legend Group is growing in the right way and that we are now transforming the way that watches are sold and bought. Our auctions are now established as a gathering of passionate watch collectors, who all enjoy a three-day holiday in Monte Carlo! I am also very happy with the growth in our online and telephone bidding activity in this sale. I am looking forward to our October sale already!”
MLG Co-Chairman Claude Cohen said: “The atmosphere in the room was electric. For most of the lots the bidding was very busy, with many bids in the room, on the telephones and online. I am delighted with the results, and it is, again, a testament to the incredible quality and rarity of many of the lots. This is now a Monaco Legend Group signature and I am very excited about the future.”
PHOTO: Claude Cohen
