Exclusive Timepieces 23 – 24 April 2022 | Monaco
Auction Details
A wide and extremely attractive selection of collectible timepieces from leading collectors, such as Goldberger with the third part of the famous “Rolex Connoisseur Collection”. Also offered: an assortment of the most sought-after contemporary watches such as the platinum Patek Philippe Nautilus, some very rare examples of the Royal Oak, a single owner’s collection of extraordinary Stella dials Rolex DayDates.
Session I
Saturday 23 April at 2:30 p.m. – lots 1 to 103
Session II
Sunday 24 April at 10:30 a.m. – lots 104 to 181
Session III
Sunday 24 April at 2:30 p.m. – lots 182 to 273
251 Patek Philippe Extremely Rare, Attractive and Elegant, Manta Ray, Rectangular Shape Wristwatch in Platinum, Silver Dial, Reference 2554, With Original Platinum Bracelet
Estimate: € 90,000 – 180,000
Sold € 117,000
Model: Manta Ray
Reference: 2554
Case Material: Platinum
Bracelet Material: Platinum
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 9′ 90
Case N°: 696 400
Movement N°: 977 389
Dimensions: 41 × 26 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case
The reference 2554 is one of the rarest rectangular wristwatches of Patek Philippe’s post-war production and also has to be considered as one of the most avant-garde designs. Also called “Manta ray”, it has been designed by the genius of Gilber Albert with a shape that reminds that of the marine animal. The case of this watch was made by Markowski, one of the finest case makers in Geneva. In addition to this model, they were also responsible for the case production of other unusually shaped rectangular watches, including the “Hour-Glass”, Ref. 1593, the “Top-Hat”, Ref. 2480, the “Tegola”, Ref. 2461, and the “Tegolino”, Ref. 425. An exceedingly rare reference in any metal, it’s especially rare in platinum as in the present lot. The case of the present watch is in excellent condition, still retaining crisp hallmarks and is further embellished with a striking original platinum tile bracelet. The opaline silver dial and applied baton hour markers, along with its curved crystal underlines the sophisticated and elegant shape of the watch. Charismatic, precious, with an historically important movement and one of the few examples of this avant-garde reference known, this watch is the utmost in understated elegance.