TEE TIME
Unique Pieces The Only Watch 2009 was an entertaining auction with many of this year’s prize steals on show, reports HK Golfer watch editor Evan Rast
T
h e results are in. The third biennial Only Watch auction, held in Monaco late September for the benefit of the Monégasque Association Against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (AMM), ended with quite a few surprises. There were many pieces that sold significantly below estimate, particularly the highly complicated watches presented by independent makers, while more traditional brands fetched bids slightly above or within estimate, proving that collectors are still proceeding with caution and going for the sure bets, or the “reliable investments”. There were exceptions, of course, and definitely plenty of good deals made. Ulysse Nardin’s “Black Out” Freak did well for its pre-auction estimate, selling at €87,000. The watch showcased a number of world firsts when it was released in 2001, with its silicium-
infused movement (including the tourbillon escapement), no true case and hands, but offering an extraordinary view of the watch mechanism. The Black Out was designed for the auction with a unique 18k white gold case, with the bridges and metal parts treated with stainless black titanium-based alloy. The tips of the movement, which serve as the hour and minute markers, are dipped in red Super Luminova for an especially arresting effect. And in case you have forgotten, the watch’s coolest feature is the absence of the crown. Winding the carrousel tourbillon movement and setting the time is done by rotating the bezel. The Black Out also has a seven-day power reserve. Another interesting piece is Confrerie Horlogere’s “La Clef du Temps” or The Key to Time. The first watch to be designed by this group of seven young designers under the mentorship of BNB Concept’s Matthias Buttet, the basic concept of the timepiece lies in the
All-star cast (clockwise from right): Luc Pettavino, founder of Only Watch, speaks to the audience while watched by Albert II, Soverign Prince of Monaco and Osvaldo Patrizzi of Patrizzi & Co; Vacheron Constantin's Quail de I'lle Tantalum sold for twice its estimate; Patek's Ref 1506 Celestial was the belle of the ball, fetching over half a million euro; Confrerie Horlogere's "La Clef du Temps" received the second highest bid of the auction. 14
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owner’s ability to adjust the length of time according to his wishes. While it sounds impossible – you would think a lifetime of quantum physics or god-like intervention are the only two probable solutions – the Confrerie Horlogere team have made it look so easy: operating a three-position lever at 10 o’clock alters the running speed of the hours and minutes. At Lever 1 the pace of time slows by half so that a full hour is only display by half (perfect for those seemingly endless meetings!) At Lever 2, the pace of time remains the same, and at Lever 3, the pace of time is doubled, which means a full hour shows as two, making pleasant moments last twice as long while having the option to return to “real” time, anytime. O t h e r n o t e wo r t hy features of La Clef du Temps include retrograde running seconds, a 120-degree sectoral power reserve indicator and a movement shaped like a stylized human brain, encased in a spaceshiplike case. The watch sold lower than its initial estimate, but was still the second highest bid of the auction at €235,000. Vacheron C onsta nt in’s Qua i de I ’I le Tantalum also did exceptionally well, selling for twice its initial estimate at €50,000. The case is made up of 10 parts which are fixed to an inner titanium case and holds the movement in place. The case and bezel are created in tantalum, which is an experimental watch material that offers extreme durability – the metal is so hard that it routinely destroys tools used to cut it – and gives off a uniquely dark sheen. The watch is designed with the personal and playful touch characteristic of the Quai de I’Ile collection, with the special banknote printing technology, 3-D engraving and invisible ink used on the numerals and indicators. Other nifty surprises include a little sun metalized into the dial which glows bright yellow under UV rays and an outer sub-dial which has a decorative Only Watch logo engraving that appears to be three-dimensional when hit by light. But the belle of the ball was once again Patek Philippe with its Ref 5106 Celestial. With initial estimates pegged between €180,000 and HKGOLFER.COM
€320,000 the Patek ended up selling for an impressive €530,000. The unique piece is an addition to the growing line of celestial-themed watches that the brand has become known for. It features a dial with a sky chart that shows the night sky as it appears in Geneva, with the position of the stars, the meridian passage of Sirius and the moon, lunar orbit and moon phases. The dial also has hours, minutes and a date display. The 44-mm case comes in 18k rose gold while the bezel an unusual 22k rose gold, which is quite softer but used to highlight the guilloche patterns on the bezel. The Ref. 5106 is fitted with the automatic 240 LU CL C movement, which at 6.4 mm makes for a thin watch. The watch’s mini rotor also comes in 22k rose gold, completing the piece’s delicate finishing. A total of 34 watches from t he most prestigious watchmakers made up the auction lot at Only Watch 2009, which was handled by Patrizzi & Co. All the watches were either unique or the first of a limited edition. The previous auction, held in 2007, raised over €2.6 million in proceeds, with a Patek Philippe Nautilis Ref. 5712 in titanium setting the highest bid at €503,000. For more details visit www.patrizziauction.com/only_watch/
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CLASSIC CARS
Maranello Majesty
James Nicholls profiles the proud history of Ferrari and highlights the company’s most desirable models
P
Ferrari Classiche
erhaps the greatest star in the car galaxy is the Ferrari. The Italian über-brand has an incredible history both on the road and on the track, which continues to live on to this day. Enzo Ferrari (1898 – 1988) was an extraordinary man with an amazing history of his own. He raced cars for Alfa Romeo and set up his own team in 1929. His successes were many and at the end of the war in 1945, Enzo started designing the first Ferrari. March 12, 1947 saw the V12-engined Ferrari 125 S taken out on its first test drive. The 125 S was an immediate and unqualified success. Ferrari won its first Mille Miglia in 1948, which was soon followed by victory in the Le Mans 24 Hour Race the following year. With Alberto Ascari in the driver’s seat, the marque won back-toback Formula One World Championship titles in 1952 and 1953. Ferrari built great cars and had unprecedented success on the track in F1. Following Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio (1956), Mike Hawthorn (1958), Phil Hill (1961) and John Surtees (1964) all tasted championship victory. These triumphs on the track spilt over to the road cars. The list of great cars produced by Ferrari is too long to catalogue here. Whatever classic Ferrari one might be lucky enough to own will bring tremendous driver satisfaction and social kudos. Mention must be made however of the legendary 250GT, which was launched in 1955 and which appeared in various guises until 1963. This car played a key role in the history of Ferrari for its competition record and acclaimed commercial success. The 275 model is another highly desirable Ferrari for the serious collector. These cars are beautiful, fast, rare and very expensive. Perhaps a more readily available but still highly desirable Ferrari classic is the 246 Dino. Produced between 1969 and 1974 and not originally badged as a Ferrari, the Dino (which was named after Enzo’s son who tragically died at the age of 24) was the first Ferrari model produced in high numbers: 3,761 of them were made. The 246 GT and 246 GTS (sporting a Targa roof), with its mid-engined 2.4 litre V6 is a wonderful car. Another great classic from this period is the Daytona (with a traditional Ferrari V12), which has a very striking body shape designed by the great Leonardo Fioravanti of Pininfarina. The Daytona name was attributed to the car because of the racing success of Ferrari’s 330P4 at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Ferraris had traditionally always been cars for movie stars and 16
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royalty, but from the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, and now part of the FIAT group, Ferraris became much more accessible and available in greater numbers, to those who had the money to afford one. The history and lineage of the great Ferrari models is still in evidence today and the supercars (still being built at Maranello) that roll off the production line owe a great deal to the heritage of Enzo and the post-war years. One of the enduring and more modern classics – and an ultimate track toy – is the Ferrari F40. Unveiled in 1987, it was the last car to be created under Enzo’s management. Conceived as the fastest production car on the planet (the F40 has a top speed of 201 mph), Enzo’s idea for the F40 was simple: “[I wanted to] build a car to be the best in the world,” he said shortly before his death in 1988. For more information on Classic Cars please visit the Bonhams & Goodman website: www. bonhamsandgoodman.com.au
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