Zurich-Based Ineichen Auctioneers Presents Two High Concept Watch Sales November 20

Based mostly in Zurich since 1973, the home of Ineichen Auctioneers has lengthy excelled at showcasing prestigious watches powered by horological innovation, technical ingenuity and irresistible artistry. On November 20 and 21^st, Ineichen, led by its CEO Artemy Lechbinskiy, opens a dynamic chapter in its historical past by presenting two particular excessive idea sub-auctions of exceedingly fantastic timepieces following its main watch public sale. 200 watches are going beneath the hammer as Ineichen’s public sale occasion takes place in Zurich, and on-line. The bottom priced heaps vary run from 500 to 1000 CHF, the medium-priced heaps are available in at 15,000 to twenty,000 CHF and the best priced watches span between 100, 000 and 300, 000 CHF.

The primary a part of the main auction on November 20 affords classic pocket watches from 13:00 to fifteen:00 Zurich time. This part will likely be adopted by the thematic sub-auction “Alchemy of Gold”, which begins at 15:30 Zurich time and presents an array of wristwatches in yellow gold from such legendary watchmakers as Audemars Piguet, Andersen Genêve, Patek Philippe, Girard-Perregaux, Vianney Halter, Daniel Roth, and Vacheron Constantin. On the second day of the Ineichen occasion, November 21, the primary public sale options numerous up to date watches from 13:00 to fifteen:00. At 15:30, the “17 Shades of Grey” public sale rolls out uncommon timepieces within the “gray” metals of tantalum, platinum and metal. These are produced by such esteemed companies as Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Breguet, F.P. Journe, Vianney Halter, Jaeger Le-Coultre, Urwerk and Konstantin Chaykin.

Whereas the Chaykin manufacture produces about 100 one-of-a-kind watches annually, Konstantin Chaykin can also be famend for being the one Russian member of the Worldwide Academy of Impartial Watchmakers (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants), What’s extra, Chaykin has additionally lately served as President of the Académie. Whereas the oldest lot to be offered at the main auction is a Latern Clock ‘Jean Baptiste Perrin à Lyon’ that dates from 1710, essentially the most up to date watches are Konstantin Chaykin’s one-of-a-kind timepieces, which had been made in 2021.

The “17 Shades of Gray” sub-auction could also be of particular curiosity to collectors owing to the exquisitely made timepieces that embody tantalum which are on supply. This uncommon, laborious and blue-grey steel is prized for its superior corrosion-resistance. Ineichen is that includes three timepieces with tantalum:  two Audemars Piguet Royal Oak fashions, and one timepiece by Gérald Genta. In response to Ineichen Auctioneers CEO Artemy Lechbinskiy, “The one watch of those who stands out is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual with a tantalum case that goes beneath the hammer on the 17 Shades of Gray particular public sale on the 21^st of November.” (Notice to look at geeks: The timepieces with Ref. 25820TP.OO.0944TP.01 in tantalum and platinum are the rarest. Solely 15 items with this steel mixture had been created. The watch has tantalum each in its case and bracelet.)

Collectors the world over will likely be desperate to bid on the 38 Royal Oaks in numerous designs that Ineichen is providing. In spite of everything, 2022 marks the 50^th anniversary of the debut of the legendary Audemars Piguet timepiece, which is historical past’s first luxurious sports activities watch to be made in metal. Conceived by the eminent Swiss watch designer Gérald Genta (1931 – 2011) and impressed by vintage diving helmets, Genta’s Royal Oak injected daring nautical model into status sports activities watches with its octagonal-shaped bezel, seen gasket and screws plus an built-in metal bracelet.

With the aim of enchanting and educating collectors about the perfect impartial watches and pocket watches, Artemy Lechbinskiy has spent the final eight months sourcing timepieces for the upcoming auctions. As Lechbinskiy defined through electronic mail, though his colleagues embrace watchmaker and watch skilled Michel Roth, Senior Vice President Marco Gava and Director of Gross sales Division Sotiris Papangelopoulos, he’s the primary decision-maker behind all of the auctions. Lechbinskiy personally selects timepieces, chooses the theme of the public sale, and formulates public sale worth estimates for every merchandise. It makes good sense that Mr. Lechbinskiy prefers impartial watchmakers’ timepieces. He says that his most continuously worn watches are the creations of “Vianney Halter, Roger Dubuis, Daniel Roth, and Konstantin Chaykin.” 

Whereas Michel Roth works behind the scenes on numerous technical facets of the auctions, Marco Gava is on the entrance speaking to purchasers and consulting with them about all facets of cooperation with Ineichen Auctioneers. Each Roth and Gava can be found on the workplace throughout enterprise hours, and events can contact them or Lechbinskiy through the Ineichen Auctioneers web site.

One among Ineichen’s many horological missions entails reaching collectors of numerous ages and phases by providing a broad vary of essential timepieces priced at numerous factors. What’s extra, Lechbinskiy continued, “At Ineichen, the historic preciousness and collectible worth of a given timepiece is what defines the worth of a watch, versus its reputation. This philosophy determines the way in which we choose timepieces for every public sale, how we formulate public sale worth estimates and the way we work with purchasers. Each member on our staff treats purchasers as companions. Every request is dealt with with shut consideration by all staff members, and above all, we attempt to discover the perfect resolution by understanding and serving the consumer’s wants.”

Whereas Ineichen’s workers numbers round 20 workers, the agency’s comparatively intimate dimension and construction helps foster communication between purchasers and the public sale home. “Our depth of service and take care of particular person purchasers is a much less frequent observe amongst greater public sale homes,” Lechbinskiy famous. Along with refining its communications with purchasers, one other of Ineichen’s objectives is to advertise essential classic pocket watches. “On the upcoming November 20 classic and pocket watch public sale, we characteristic pocket watches by Longines, IWC, L.U.C Chopard, Omega, Ulysse Nardin, and A. Lange & Söhne from the 19^th and early 20^th centuries,” Lechbinskiy defined. “We simply love their aesthetic magnificence and historical past.” The pocket watches are estimated from 500 to 3000 CHF and thus signify a extra extensively inexpensive possibility, as in comparison with a number of of Ineichen’s wristwatches which are up for public sale and are valued at a number of hundred thousand Swiss francs.

Those that covet masterpieces by impartial watchmakers can have the uncommon alternative to bid for the Vianney Halter Antiqua Yellow Gold (estimate CHF 50,000 – CHF 100,000) and the Vianney Halter Antiqua White Gold (estimate CHF 50,000 – CHF 100,000). Each of those have loved legendary standing since their 1998 debut. Poetically tagged with the motto, “Relic of the Future Previous”, the Antiqua line channels the spirit of marine chronometers, linking the custom of vintage devices to the 21^st century collector.

“When trying on the design of Antiqua, which is impressed by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells novels,” Lechbinskiy continued, “it’s simple think about a harmful sea journey through which a ship is crusing on storm-tossed waves and being dragged away into the unknown. Up to now, marine chronometers had been the saviors for these misplaced on the excessive seas, as they indicated the situation of the vessel with a rare precision.” The Antiqua mannequin references marine chronometers in its design and pays tribute to horological traditions by embodying a perpetual calendar complication and month detection, along with an excellent mass rotor made from sapphire glass.

What’s extra, Halter’s ingenious interpretation of the perpetual calendar permits the wearer to learn the hour and minutes; the month and intercalary year, the day of the week and the date by way of 4 riveted portholes so as of reducing diameter. As Lechbinskiy poetically defined, “Vianney Halter’s designs might be described as a cultural phenomenon expressed by way of one man’s creativity. From an business standpoint, they categorical how the free spirit of an impartial watchmaker, unbounded by company necessities, can provide beginning to magnificent items. In every restricted version watch, you possibly can see all of the rigorous design, guide labor and artistry that goes into it, which makes a Vianney Halter so valued and sought-after by collectors.”  Within the course of of choosing heaps for auctions, “We goal what we discuss with as ‘true collectors’,” Lechbinskiy stated. In different phrases, the items offered at Ineichen auctions are outlined by the eager curiosity and dedication of collectors, versus their geographical location, gender, age or earnings bracket. As Lechbinskiy defined, “We provide watches from lower than 1K CHF to over 1,000,000 Swiss francs. We see passionate collectors who’re able to spend their final euro on a watch, in addition to literal princes who stroll in and grow to be common purchasers.”

In 2022, Ineichen will focus extra on particular auctions which embody fewer heaps and are organized round compelling themes. Provided that Ineichen is injecting new narratives into the world of status watch auctions with “Alchemy of Gold” and “17 Shades of Gray” along with its main public sale, it appears sure that by November 22^nd, the Zurich auctioneer can have gained many extra loyal watch-loving purchasers from far and huge.