Bonhams New York has sold a rare and special Patek Philippe ref. 96, “Birks Ellis” double signed stainless steel manual wind wristwatch, for an astonishing $256,562, four times its pre-sale estimate.
The wristwatch, originally purchased in 1935 and offered by its original family owner, was acquired by a private collector after a two-way bidding battle at the Bonhams Fine Watches Sale in New York on 13th October.
The quintessentially 1930s timepiece features an attractive two-tone aviator dial, double-signed by Birks-Ellis, the Tiffany’s of North America, which makes it an extremely rare example.
Max Traber, Specialist, Bonhams Watches US, remarked: “The top lot, a beautiful 1935 Patek Philippe ref. 96 took everyone’s breath away. In the end, two phone bidders battled for the watch, the winner refusing to let it go at any cost. Both the buyer and seller were delighted. It was an exciting moment.”
“This extraordinary sale was filled with exceptional timepieces and we are thrilled with the results.”
The Fine Watches Sale achieved a total in excess of $1 million. Another wristwatch from long-term, one-family ownership that far exceeded its pre-sale estimate, was a circa 1940 Audemars Piguet Lunette Monnaie, one of only five steel examples, which realised $112,812.
A circa 1982 Rolex Submariner Comex No. 6084, Ref. 16800, first issued to a Comex deep-sea diver, also made a splash at the Bonhams sale, selling for $162,812, more than quadruple its pre-sale estimate. The ref. 16800 was the first Submariner fitted with a sapphire crystal. This increased the watch’s depth rating from 200 to 300 metres.
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Photo: 16 PATEK PHILIPPE. A FINE PLATINUM AUTOMATIC ANNUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH POWER RESERVE Ref: 5960P-001, Sold 13th October, 2009. Bonhams