Sotheby’s is partnering with Geneva-based creative collective heist-out, to host an auction of rare, bejeweled, uniquely designed timepieces that are overlooked by collectors, according to both parties.
The collaboration is called, “Rough Diamonds.” It’s billed as an unconventional auction with 24 avant-garde vintage watches which, “like rough diamonds, are still waiting for their time to shine and be rediscovered,” they said in a statement.
The live sale will be held underground at La Corne à Vin, a wine cellar in Geneva on April 11. Estimates range from CHF 2,000 ($2,275) to CHF 100,000 ($113,770).
Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division, says the idea is to “bring to market a new auction concept that not only addresses this strong appetite, but also offers a curated focus on unusually remarkable timepieces that we hope will excite vintage watch aficionados the world over.”
Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Vacheron Constantin are among the watch brands represented in this collection of rare, unusual models. The sale also celebrates the designers of these pieces, including Charles de Temple, Gilbert Albert, Jacqueline Dimier and Daryoush Shafa. “(These designers) daringly broke away from mainstream aesthetics to deliver watches full of originality, punch and personality, without compromising on quality of materials, craftsmanship nor technical proficiency,” according to the joint statement.
The number of watches in the sale (24) represent the number of hours in a day. The lots were curated to respond to specific criteria. For example, they were all created at least 30 years ago with some dating from the early 1950s, and all have two or more of the following attributes: technical innovation, exceptional design, rare materials, historical significance, notable ownership or provenance, exquisite craftsmanship and rarity. The watches in the collection combine intrinsic value with rich stories and heritage that Sotheby’s says adds to its overall appeal.
The watches will be showcased underground – at the wine cellar La Corne à Vin, 47 bis Rue de Lausanne in Geneva – from 8 April to 10 April, in a bespoke public exhibition designed by heist-out to take advantage of the unexpected location. All watches will be sold during a live auction at La Corne à Vin, on the last day of the public exhibition on April 11 beginning 6.30 p.m. Geneva time.
Heist-out is a watch-centric collective geared toward Gen Z watch enthusiasts. It is founded by Maxime Couturier and Lorenzo Maillard. Maillard also is a well-known watch collector.
“As we ventured into this project alongside Sotheby’s, it became clear from the outset that our aim was to inject dynamism and create an immersive auction experience, the heist-out founders said in a statement. “From conceptualization to the selection of watches and the design of the scenography, both parties recognized the potential in disrupting the status quo with a fresh format…. In an industry where each new release often melds into the next, it is invigorating to pay homage to the trailblazers of yesteryear and affirm that audacity has always been pivotal in shaping watch design.”
