Phillips Auction Spring 2022
Sold for $535,000 incl. Commission
Sold for $255,000 incl. Commission
Sold for $115,000 incl. Commission
Sold for $53,500 incl. Commission
Sold for $51,000 incl. Commission
Sold for $33,000 incl. Commission
Sold for $33,000 incl. Commission
Sold for $191,000 incl. Commission
Phillips are offering eight Speedmasters in their Geneva Sale, May 7th and 8th 2022.
This is a very good selection presented by Phillips, and at first glance it seems like there is something to interest any Speedmaster Collector – and even people new to Speedmasters. It feels like they have really given the sale some thought when it comes to these Speedmasters.
They are offering a mix of original production pieces, and some prototypes. Of the original pieces, my favourite here is going to be the 18-carat gold from 1969 which looks to me to be correct and attractive. This is followed by two 2998s both of which also have strong attraction while not being top condition. The nice thing is that they are not top money either and at the low estimates are in line with the market. There is an Ultraman which is one of the better examples offered recently, also estimated in line with the market. The Apollo Soyuz has some question marks hanging over it, and as such justifies its low estimate.
There are three prototypes. The most interesting to me being the Alaska project, followed by the interesting engineering concept of the speedmaster date, and finally the white dialled speedmaster Monza which will probably appeal to certain people. Too modern for me.
In addition, Phillips have once again raised the bar on the quality of photographs. I do think they could have been a little more comprehensive, but certainly the head on shots are the best in the business at the moment.
111
Omega
Ref. 145.022
An extremely scarce, historically relevant and enormously collectible stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with white dial and “Apollo” subdial hands, made for the Apollo Project and delivered to NASA
1970
40mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed
Estimate
CHF100,000 – 200,000
€96,800-194,000
$107,000-213,000
Well obviously I want this.
Since I first started looking into Speedmasters, the white dialled Alaska project was a mythical beast, seen only in the literature, and certainly never expected to be on the open market. For me it is very attractive both in the colour of the dial and the layout of the hands, combined with the history. I really love it.
I note particularly that the patination or ageing of the dial and hands is commensurate with the story and the age. In other words it looks like it was made when they said it was and it looks like it hasn’t been messed around with or reassembled from parts.There is nothing I can say to put myself off. The case is polished and lines blurred – I dont care.
This is going to be a very expensive watch, assuming that there are no skeletons in the cupboard regarding its history and provenance. Examining the extract closely we see that it has a very unusual number on the movement, and that it is stated to have come from a batch of watches sent NASA – without saying how many. I am sure that Philips have established ownership of this watch and that they won’t be faced with the embarrassing situation of having the watch repossessed, like Bonham’s did with the Alaska III a few years ago.
Speaking of Alaska III’s, the price of those extraordinary rare watches is in the $200,000 range. Bearing in mind this watch offered here is arguably more desireable, and is especially more interesting to look at, I don’t see how this watch can go for under the high estimate. In fact when you think of the brown dialled 2915 selling for over $3 million, this is a far more interesting watch by comparison, and one that I don’t think any buyer would regret buying.
It is rarer, with more history, without any doubt on its originality, and it looks great.
While I want this, I seriously doubt that this watch stays under the high estimate – we shall see.
168
Omega
A most probably unique, never commercialised and extremely collectible stainless steel prototype chronograph wristwatch with white “Monza” dial and bracelet
Circa 1995
40mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed
Estimate
CHF30,000 – 60,000
€29,000-58,100
$32,000-63,900
This is a relatively modern prototype, one that will appeal to collectors of more modern speedmasters, although it does have T marks and a manufacturing estimate of 1995. Clearly it is a nod towards the Rolex Daytona.
It is an attractive watch no doubt, and if I were to be a buyer of this watch I would be basing my valuation on that attraction, not on the slightly vague documentation which is really a sort of placation. I mean the sellers have managed to persuade someone at the museum to essentially say “it looks like it might be alright”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they shouldn’t have this and that it is not useful, what I am saying is that this is not an extract and it is not what I regard as a cast iron confirmation that this watch was a prototype assembled at the Omega factory. That is why I say that I should value this as an attractive object, not as a historically important thing. To be fair I think the estimate reflects this.
169
Omega
Ref. ST 145.022
A fine and highly rare stainless steel limited edition chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, made to commemorate the first joint crewed international space mission and released for the Italian market
1976
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Estimate
CHF12,000 – 20,000
€11,600-19,400
$12,800-21,300
This looks cheap.
Phillips are no fools, and the price of a correct Apollo Soyuz is fairly stable in the $40,000 area – some more, some less, so when a major auction house puts a low estimate of around a third of that, you know that they know it’s got issues.
In this case, we do not see the limited number, nor are we told, and the pushers appear to have been replaced by 5mm versions. At least we know the case is correct from the larger apertures. As shown in the enlargement above.
The dial and bezel are good, and overall the watch looks nicer than some others offered recently. The problem is those pushers. I have heard that someone has access to 5.5mm pushers, which doesn’t surprise me. Once fitted, and if this watch has a proper limited number, and paperwork / extract that removes the query of who assembled it, this watch will be valuable.
I wonder if a dealer with the 5.5mm pushers will buy it? Or perhaps someone with watch with a ruined dial and no bracelet?
Again, the estimate does reflect all these issues, and at the low estimate even with the issues I think it is cheap.
Link to listing here
267
Omega
Ref. BA 145.022
A highly rare, attractive and well-preserved yellow gold limited edition chronograph wristwatch with solid gold dial, burgundy bezel, engraved back and bracelet, number 914 of a 1014 piece limited edition
1970
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Estimate
CHF25,000 – 50,000
€24,200-48,400
$26,600-53,300
It is getting harder to find these in correct and attractive condition.
This one is hard to fault, though the bezel has two minor blemishes that in a steel speedmaster would make you downgrade it quite hard. Here in this, the burgandy bezels are so rare, I am just glad to see it.
The dial is the round O, but really, in the grand scheme of things who cares about the round vs oval O when the rest of the watch is so correct.
It will be important to check the length of the bracelet as these have to be lengthened by a jeweller, not a watchmaker as it require gold work and possible making a link.
For me, this is a watch to recommend to anyone looking for this reference, and don’t worry about overpaying, because apart from the bezel damage I can’t see any problems, subject to the bracelet length
269
Omega
Ref. 2998-1
A very attractive and rare stainless steel chronograph with pulsometer bezel
1959
39mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Estimate
CHF25,000 – 50,000
€24,200-48,400
$26,600-53,300
This 2998 looks inexpensive at the low estimate at first glance, but there are reasons why it is so. First of all this reference should have a base 1000 bezel and instead it is fitted with the much less valuable pulsemetre bezel. This is considered correct, however it must be taken into account that the value of these bezels is much less. The handset on this watch is my favourite for a 2998 with the lollipop chrono hand and the triangle lume hour. In fact this handset by itself is worth a great deal of money.
The watch is held back by the dial which may or may not be more attractive in real life – they often are. If we look closely at the body of the dial we can see many blemishes and damages and this is extremely influential on the value. I don’t actually mind the state of the dial, when you take into account the price. It’s all about finding the attraction for the price.
For me this is an attractive watch with the best handset. The presence of the pulsemetre bezel, the state of the case, and the engraving might keep the price down to an affordable level for somebody seeking to find a 2998 they can wear and enjoy every day. I’m pretty sure this watch will look good in real life.
A minor point to note is that the hour register has crept off the 12 marker and thus indicating the movement probably needs some attention, but then I assume every auction bought watch needs that service.
271
Omega
Ref. 145.012-67 SP
An attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter bezel and special orange chronograph hand
1968
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Estimate
CHF20,000 – 40,000
€19,400-38,700
$21,300-42,600
Another Ultraman.
These once thought to be rare watches seem to pop up at every auction, like the Paul Newman Daytonas a few years ago. Everyone claims how rare they were, but regularly as clock work the auction houses dig them up and offer them.
This one seems to be appropriately estimated and correct – in fact it is one of the more attractive ones offered in recent times and I hope it sells well, as it deserves to in this condition.
The one thing that I am suspicious of, is the hand doesnt look quite right – it is long enough, but I am aware of some unoriginal long hands coming into the market now.
Σ273
Omega
Ref. 145.0022, 345.0022
A fine and very rare stainless steel chronograph test wristwatch with tachymeter, bezel and date
Circa 2003
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and deployant signed.
Estimate
CHF20,000 – 40,000
€19,600-39,100
$21,600-43,200
A prototype that is again outside of my area, but I love the look, and the engineering that must have gone into it.
I leave the assessment of this to those who know more.
284
Omega
Ref. 2998-5
A highly rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch, made for the Peruvian Air Force
1962
39.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
Estimate
CHF20,000 – 40,000
€19,400-38,700
$21,300-42,600
This is another fairly priced 2998 with the added interest of it being FAP issued. Once again, it has the most attractive triangle lume alpha hands.
The dial might have one or two minor blemishes, that probably wont show in real life. The plots are missing a little covering but they look natural and again in real life I am sure they will look good.
The bracelet might be a little loose.
The case has had quite a lot of attention, and the case back has a soft profile.
As ever, this is a watch that if bought at the right price will be rewarding. It is only when a watch like this is bought for the price of an Excellent watch that it will disappoint.
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