Watches at auction

Here are a few highlights of the upcoming auction held by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo on 9-10 May in Geneva.

 

The Audemars Piguet Ref. 5503 triple-calendar chronograph with moon-phase was produced between 1941 and 1943 in only five examples. The present watch features a two-tone case combining stainless steel with 14k pink gold for the bezel, crown, and pushers. Estimate: CHF 400,000 – 800,000

 

Made in 1953, this Patek Philippe Ref. 2523 two-crown world time wristwatch is one of only two examples known to exist in 18k yellow gold with a polychrome cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of South America. It has been nearly four decades since one has been seen at public auction. Estimate: CHF 5,000,000 – 10,000,000

 

This 18k yellow gold Rolex Ref. 6085 features a cloisonné enamel dial depicting a dragon – one of only five known examples of the motif across all Rolex references. The dial was created by the enameller Nelly Richard, working with the famed Geneva dialmaker Stern Frères. Estimate: CHF 500,000 – 1,000,000

 

Introduced at the Basel fair in 1950, the Rolex Ref. 6062 was the brand’s first automatic wristwatch to combine a triple calendar with moon-phase within a waterproof Oyster case. The present example is in stainless steel. Estimate: CHF 500,000 – 1,000,000

 

Nicknamed “Cioccolatone” by collectors, the Vacheron Constantin oversized square wristwatch hit the market in the early 1950s. This 18k pink gold Ref. 4764 represents the model in its most prestigious configuration, featuring a triple calendar with moon-phase. Estimate: CHF 250,000 – 500,000

 

New releases – Maghnam Mohareb

 

The new generation Mohareb collection is available in two colorways – Argent Crimson and Deep Blue – and three aesthetic configurations: the Blades, Halo and Wings versions offer distinct visual identities around a shared central case in L904 stainless steel thanks to interchangeable modules that instantly transform the watch’s silhouette. The bi-retrograde display is driven by the MCR01-B module, based on the Swiss SW210 hand-wound movement and enhanced with a proprietary retrograde module developed by the brand’s founder Sohaib Maghnam. Price: CHF 7,200 VAT excl. 

Vintage ads - Gay Frères (1982)

ENGLISH (il testo italiano è sotto l'immagine)

‘The first stainless steel watchband in the world’. I suspect most readers will be able to recognize one of the bracelets shown in this ad by the renowned Geneva maker that Rolex would take over in 1998 …

Do you like vintage watch ads? Visit the page about Watch Ads, the one and only two-volume pictorial history of communication and design in 20th Century watchmaking. Do you wish to know more? Watch the video clip about the publication and download the preview of Volume 1. 

The vintage ads presented in this website are not featured in the Watch Ads books.

 

 

ITALIANO

"Il primo bracciale in acciaio per orologi da polso al mondo". Ho il sospetto che la maggior parte dei lettori saprà riconoscere uno dei bracciali ritratti in questo annuncio del celebre fabbricante ginevrino che Rolex assorbirà nel 1998 …  

Ti piacciono le pubblicità d'epoca? Visita la pagina su Watch Ads, l'unica storia illustrata in due volumi della comunicazione e del design nell'orologeria del Novecento. Vuoi saperne di più? Guarda il video sull'opera e scarica l'anteprima del Volume 1.

Gli annunci vintage presentati in questo sito non appaiono nei due volumi Watch Ads.

 

 

New releases - Dominique Renaud Pulse60

 

The name of the first model launched by the brand from Tolochenaz evokes 60 beats or oscillations per minute and an innovative approach to low frequency, aimed at reducing the shocks in the escapement. The large 20 mm balance wheel with high inertia, revealed through the opening on the dial side, features an amplitude greater than 360° and improves static rate stability. Prices : CHF 49,000 + taxes in Titanium and CHF 59,000 + taxes in pink gold and titanium.

 

Vintage Rolex Library - Part 1: Fifty years of the Oyster (1976)

ENGLISH (il testo italiano è in fondo alla pagina)

First of all, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many watch enthusiasts who purchased Rolex 1961-2025 and were kind enough to write to this website about how much they liked the book.

The only regret I have about my latest publishing effort is that there was simply not enough space to include all the information I gathered. That is why I am starting a mini-series of three posts meant to complete the section Documents of Chapters 2 and 3. The first one features the brochure published in 1976 to celebrate fifty years of the Rolex Oyster. Which looks like an appropriate choice, as 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the brand’s most iconic timepiece. Enjoy!

Marco Strazzi

 

“In 1926, a man called Hans Wilsdorf introduced the Rolex Oyster Case”. So begins the text of “Fifty years of the Rolex Oyster”, the 16-page brochure tracing the history of the model that paved the way to the brand’s worldwide fame.

 

 

 

 

The booklet focuses on six memorable events, all of which are mentioned in detail by Rolex 1905-1960 and Rolex 1961-2025: the model’s birth and launch (1926), Mercedes Gleitze’s swim across the English channel (1927, see also this video clip from the 10e10.ch by Marco Strazzi YouTube channel), Malcom Campbell’s land speed record (1935), the successful Everest expedition led by Edmund Hillary (1953), Bathyscaph Trieste’s record dive (1960), Tom Sheppard’s Sahara expedition (1973), the world record depth reached by Comex divers (1975).

 

Titled after the anniversary year, the final pages feature “the Rolex Hall of Fame”, that is the “unique and private corridor” located outside the office of Rolex’s Managing Director, which is “lined with signed portraits of many of the most important Heads of State, decision-makers, scientists and artists the world has seen in the last 50 years. Whatever their nationality or ideology, thay have one thing in common: a Rolex Oyster Chronometer”.

 

ITALIANO 

Prima di tutto, tengo a ringraziare di cuore i molti appassionati che hanno acquistato Rolex 1961-2025 e hanno avuto la cortesia di scrivere a questo sito per testimoniare il loro apprezzamento per il libro.

A proposito di quest'ultima fatica editoriale, il mio unico rimpianto è non avere avuto abbastanza spazio a disposizione per tutte le informazioni raccolte. Ho quindi deciso di pubblicare una mini-serie di tre post destinata a completare la sezione Documents dei Capitoli 2 e 3. Il primo è dedicato alla brochure pubblicata nel 1976 per celebrare i 50 anni dell'Oyster. Una scelta che trovo appropriata, visto che in questo 2026 si festeggia il 100esimo anniversario dell'icona Rolex per eccellenza. Buona lettura!

Marco Strazzi

 

"Nel 1926, un uomo di nome Hans Wilsdorf presentò la cassa Rolex Oyster". Comincia così il testo di "Cinquant'anni del Rolex Oyster", la pubblicazione di 16 pagine che ripercorre la storia dell'orologio che ha gettato le basi per la fama mondiale della marca.

Il libretto si concentra su sei eventi memorabili, tutti riportati in dettaglio da Rolex 1905 e Rolex 1961-2025: la nascita e il lancio del modello (2026), l'attraversamento della Manica a nuoto da parte di Mercedes Gleitze (1927, vedi anche questo video tratto dal canale YouTube 10e10.ch by Marco Strazzi), il record di velocità terrestre stabilito da Malcom Campbell (1935), la vittoriosa spedizione sull'Everest guidata da Edmund Hillary (1953), l'immersione record del Batiscafo Trieste, 1960), la spedizione sahariana di Tom Sheppard (1973), l'immersione da record dei subacquei Comex (1975).

Le pagine conclusive sono dedicata alla “Hall of Fame” Rolex, vale a dire il "corridoio unico e privato" che si trova accanto all'ufficio del Direttore Operativo, sui muri del quale sono appesi i "ritratti autografati di molti tra i più importanti Capi di Stato, decisori, scienziati e artisti che il mondo ha visto negli ultimi 50 anni. Qualunque sia la loro nazionalità o ideologia, hanno tutti qualcosa in comune: un Cronometro Rolex Oyster".

 

New releases - Gérald Genta Geneva Collection

The new time-only pieces feature rose or white gold 38 mm cushion cases crafted in-house at La Fabrique des Boîtiers. A two-segment minute track characterizes the brass dials: the outer one follows the case’s shape, while the inner one is perfectly circular. The Zenith Elite GG-005P automatic movement has a revisited in-house oscillating mass for enhanced aesthetics, offering a 50-hour power reserve and a 4Hz frequency. 

 

Geneva Watch Week

The Geneva Watch Week will once again host the main events of the watchmaking world. 

Watches and Wonders (Palexpo and venues throughout the city, 14-20 April) promises an immersion into the innovation and craftsmanship of leading watch brands. 

 

Time to Watches (14-19 April)) returns for its fifth edition at Villa Sarasin, a one-minute walk from Palexpo. Beyond the Villa, the experience unfolds across a network of living spaces - Lodge, Annex, Cellar,Garden and Brand Pavilions. The event welcomes mainly international trade visitors, but also the general public. This edition brings together over 85 brands. 

 

Chronopolis (Les Halles de l’Île, 14-18April) is a brand new fair offering free access to all, a time window for media and retailers (8 to 10AM), and daily happy hours (5 to 7PM) for visitors, brands and partners. 20 independent brands will showcase their products.