Photo Report: The Watches And Action From The Monaco Legend Fall Auction
I’d like to tell you this is just a photo report on Monaco Legend Group’s fall auction, but it’s really not that simple. It’s really a photo report from a gathering of friends who get together to catch up, have a few drinks, some nice dinners, and talk about and – yes, of course – buy and sell a few watches as well.
The last time I was in Monaco, I was so overwhelmed I had to put together two photo reports (part 1 and part 2 are here). This time, I tried to pare it back. The auction attendees didn’t get the memo to be more reserved, however. Sure, the partying was a bit more controlled this time, but both the watches and the boisterous nature of a very Italian auction kept things lively. And while someone prominent at another auction house once said to me, “Well, a lot of these people are all at other auctions too,” it’s not just the presence of a person that makes Monaco different, it’s the feeling in the room.
In New York or Geneva, people tend to approach an auction with an air of serious business. That could be said for Monaco, too; of course, this isn’t play money being thrown around. But while a large majority show up in suits and jackets and pore over the lots to ensure they’re paying the right price, you get a sense of levity, comedy, and “show” from the largely Italian crowd.
I want to know what kind of insane person threw this tray together. I didn’t see who it was, but I really appreciate them.
For instance, when a very rare and likely unique prototype Daytona came up, there were two people in the room who were bidding furiously against each other. Both were serious collectors and scholars, but one of them was allowing himself to be goaded into bidding by another friend and dealer. The watch was worth serious money but it almost seemed like one of the bidders was relieved each time he was outbid. And yet he’d bid again. Until finally he seemed fully out of the running. He stood up, walked up to the other bidder, said “God bless you, thank you [for outbidding me].” It elicited a laugh from the crowd. But when he walked away he raised his finger and bid again. There was a roar from the crowd and he walked away with the watch.
As I said before, if you’re a fan of vintage watches, this is a great auction (and group of friends) you really should be a part of some day. Davide Parmegiani, Claude Cohen, and their team put on a great event with a great selection of watches. But if you can’t make it to Monaco, I hope these photos will make you feel like you were there.
Checking out the Patek Carrè dial under a microscope. It’s something that you won’t see at other auction houses, but you see it here.
Davide Parmegiani wore his incredibly rare, likely unique, Patek with emerald and diamond indices made expressly for Casa Welsch in Lima, Peru.
I caught up with Sandro Fratini again who graciously brought a watch out of his collection just for us to photograph. But when John Goldberger saw the watch, he called another friend in Monaco to bring his.
That is two of the twelve total (eight known still in existence) Rolex ref. 4113 split-second chronographs. The watches are powered by the oversized 55VBR movement and all of them have aged remarkably different over the years.
Fratini also helped design this new watch by Locman, the first ever fully Italian-made modern watch with a design that looks like a modernized Patek ref. 2549 “Horn of David” watch, with a number of stone dials.
Jeff Harris with his Datejust which he argues is far more subtle than it looks.
Andrea Parmegiani helping out potential buyers.
It’s not often you see bakelite out of the safe, just because of how fragile it is.
Crown at 12:00? Sign me up.
Srdjan Stevic with his Rolex bubbleback “Serbian” dial. The rotor had a coat of arms stamped on it as well.
Daniel Bourn with the seafoam Day-Date.
Our good friend Alfredo Paramico from his 2014 Talking Watches.
And an incredible two-tone rose gold and platinum perpetual calendar Royal Oak.
Cameron Barr of Craft and Tailored with a fantastic Piaget.
The weather was rough on Friday but by the evening the sun started to shine.
Jean-Paul Menicucci, who someone once told me is “the only person that makes any money in Monaco” because of how loved his leather goods (bags, pouches, etc.) are by collectors.
We’ll see his wrist a few more times this report but this wasn’t a bad spot to start.
The first day of the auction and people grabbed a few last looks at lots before lunch.
A number of watches came with a beautifully bound study done by Eric Tortella & Sons with pictures, documentation, comparison to dial variations, and more.
If you wanted to see anything for yourself (movement, case, dial) you could use the on-site watchmaker.
That included looking at the dial on someone’s personal Rolex ref. 6241 “John Player Special.”
Here it is, back safely in its home.
As has become our tradition, here’s this meeting’s portrait with John Goldberger.
This is his 2000s special order Tank Cintrée with blue numeral dial.
Max Bernardini with a watch that deserves its own story some day.
This gentleman was wearing a very cool and rare oversized Wittnauer Longines second-setting watch.
Another rare bird, one of the most complete catalogs of Patek you’ll see, for the Italian market in 1955.
Davide Parmegiani always wears the best, like this 1518.
Monaco Legend Auction.
I’ve never seen a pyramid coral dial Day-Date before and I probably will never see another.
A beautiful Omega “Cosmic” calendar watch.
Speaking of calendar watches, would you like yours in yellow gold?
Or steel with diamonds…
Or rose?
Lunch time before the start of bidding.
And instead of Fiats on display, this time it was motorcycles.
Watches for lunch.
There’s just something about a Cintrée on bracelet.
A fantastic tourbillon skeleton Royal Oak.
A quick closer look.
A possibly unique Patek ref. 130 with enamel dial.
Another great “pick three” for Serpenti.
There are only 7 of these seven-wrap Serpenti in the world.
Or this amazing jewelry watch worn by Francesca Montanari.
Carlotta Parmegiani holding court.
A super creamy Paul Newman.
Oh yes, there was an auction happening back in the room.
One of the predecessor brands to Universal Geneve.
Eric Tortella was in the first row, still looking at lots.
And you can still pull watches out of the case to study as the auction is ongoing.
Now to get into some oddballs that I saw at the auction.
The Parmegiani family working the phones.
A little rosy 2499.
And yet another Paul Newman Daytona.
As the day wound down it was time to grab a few photos of some casual chiming watches.
Time for dinner at Cipriani!
Grab some photos with friends.
And celebrate a birthday with them as well.
Now where did I leave my car?
The second day was the longest, but it started out with a sparkle on the wrist of Andrea Parmegiani.
A little more casual but still a great one.
We know you love it.
Here’s a bit of whiplash for you.
Just taking your friend’s watch for a spin.
Don’t worry, he went back to one watch only.
A spree of Rolex to cap things off.
Once more time for the heavy hitters.
The last lot of the auction was an “R.C.O.” Daytona with an amazing tropical dial which got an equally fantastic price.
Sandro Fratini was impressed with the auctioneer who was keeping Davide’s bidder going for a while against a late bidder online.
Until next time, a big thumbs up from the big boss.
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For more on Monaco Legend Group, visit their website.
Hodinkee
