MLG announces its Exclusive Timepieces sale on April 22-23

Monaco Legend Group presents two important highlights from its upcoming Exclusive Timepieces sale on the 22nd and 23rd April at Le Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel in Monaco.

Monaco Legend Group is excited to offer a unique and very special Rolex Yacht-Master that has been consigned for the April sale. The watch is made entirely in platinum and is a prototype ordered by the Heiniger family. Andre Heiniger became the president of Rolex in 1964 and was succeeded by Patrick Heiniger, who took over from his father, in 1992. The Heiniger father and son duo led the brand through some of its most important moments and are credited with establishing the brand as the ultimate luxury business; a legacy of their personal and professional relationship.

The Heiniger family was known to have created some very interesting and unique watches that are now highly prized by collectors, such as the trio of platinum Daytonas with unique stone dials with special reference 16 516. It is also believed that the Daytona reference 116 598 SACO, known as the Leopard, was inspired by Patrick Heiniger’s then-girlfriend Nina Stevens. Today Monaco Legend Group presents another special piece created by the Heinigers, a one and only platinum watch, made to commemorate the ten-millionth chronometer movement – a piece unique Yacht-Master.

The watch is made entirely in platinum and features the Yacht-Master reference in the case back. Furthermore, the watch is fitted with a platinum Oyster bracelet, complete with flip lock, which is also unique. The dial features diamond hour markers with baguette-cut sapphires at six and nine and a triangular-cut sapphire 12. Similar in some ways to the known Serti dials, this unique silver dial has a one of a kind colour and finish and is signed “DIX MILLIONIEME CHRONOMETRE”.

Rolex has been known for almost a century as making chronometer movement driven watches available in its wristwatches. When it completed its 10th million, a special occasion by any standards, the moment was marked by the creation of a specially engraved rotor. This movement was then placed in the present platinum Yacht-Master and remained with the family until today and marks a very important moment in time for Rolex. Now this watch will be auctioned in Monaco in April 2023.

Monaco Legend Group Co-Chairman, Davide Parmegiani, could not be more thrilled to have such a piece to offer in the spring sale. “Rolex spent the last 80 years marketing the importance of their movements and the fact that they are officially chronometer certified. Since the mid-1950s Rolex was pointing out that they were the leading brand making chronometers. So, we can truly understand how important it is that we have the 10 millionth officially certified chronometer in a prototype watch. Moreover, the watch is made of the rarest of metals with an incredible unique dial and it comes with outstanding provenance directly from the family that marked the history of the Rolex company. Compare this to the $17 million paid for the Paul Newman, which was solely for the provenance that it was Mr. Newman’s watch; this is a Rolex made by the chairmen of the company for their family and a unique piece that was never offered for sale. For me this is something really incredible!”

Monaco Legend Group is also offering a Patek Philippe Nautilus from the personal collection of John Goldberger. The white-gold reference 3700 is fresh to the market, having been in Goldberger’s collection for over two decades. The watch was a special order by Sultan Qaboos of Oman and features the Khanjar dagger and swords on the dial and is one of three known examples that were specially made for the Sultan.

Sultan Qaboos Bin Sa’id began ruling Oman in 1970 and was responsible for a huge amount of reform in the country. He was also one of the world’s most prolific watch collectors and this love of watches was something he enjoyed sharing with people and would gift watches to important figures and visitors to Oman. Many of the Rolex and Patek Philippe watches that he presented were specially ordered through Asprey in London. The dials would often feature either the national emblem of the Khanjar dagger and crossed swords or the Sultan’s signature.

This is a very special watch from one of the most important collectors in the world. The condition is astonishing, and I am very excited to have such a piece in our auction. Of the three pieces that are known, I would say without a doubt that this is the best preserved and offers an incredible opportunity for collectors of issued watches or indeed those with a particular focus on Patek Philippe’s most iconic sports watch. 
Davide Parmegiani

I am very pleased by the line-up for our next April Auction and feel sincerely humbled and delighted by the trust that our clients have placed in us with their consignment of outstanding pieces. I am looking forward to seeing you all on the 22 & 23 April at the Méridien Beach Plaza Hotel and on our online biding platform! 
 Claude Cohen

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