Story Highlight
– Sotheby’s to auction rare Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 set.
– Complete set includes four highly sophisticated timepieces.
– Only one example previously auctioned, sold for $3.3 million.
– Estimated value exceeds $10 million, significant auction milestone.
– Auction part of Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week in December.
Full Story
A remarkable event in the luxury watch sector is on the horizon, as Sotheby’s, alongside the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), unveils plans to auction a complete four-piece set of the Patek Philippe Star Caliber 2000 on 5 December. This set is heralded as a significant landmark in haute horology, showcasing unparalleled technical sophistication and aesthetic beauty.
The Star Caliber 2000, developed to celebrate the arrival of the new millennium, encompasses the pinnacle of seven years of research and development by the prestigious Swiss watchmaker. Despite being ranked as the third most complex watch from Patek Philippe, trailing only the Caliber 89 and the Henry Graves Supercomplication, it remains relatively obscure amongst collectors.
Only one model in yellow gold had previously appeared at auction, commanding a price of $3.3 million back in 2012. The current offering, long kept from public scrutiny, promises to astonish even the most knowledgeable enthusiasts. Mr. Sam Hines, Sotheby’s Global Chairman for Watches, has laid out a bold vision for this auction, emphasizing the rarity and historic significance of the piece, suggesting it might be the most exhilarating auction highlight of the year.
Scheduled for Sotheby’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week, the complete set comes with an estimated value exceeding $10 million, a figure considered intentionally cautious and second only to the record-breaking Henry Graves Supercomplication, which fetched $24 million at auction in 2014. This exceptionally intricate pocket watch, boasting 24 complications, set an unparalleled standard in complicated watchmaking that remained unchallenged for decades.
Patek Philippe’s legacy of intricate timepieces began shifting dramatically with the introduction of the Caliber 89 in 1989, launched for the brand’s 150th anniversary. This particular model, housing an astonishing 33 complications and 1,728 components, marked a revolution in watchmaking, leveraging advanced CAD technology.
As the new millennium approached, the anticipation surrounding Patek Philippe’s tribute materialized in the form of the Star Caliber 2000. This exquisite collection includes four distinct, double-dial, half-hunter watches, each featuring an impressive 21 complications and 1,118 meticulously crafted components, solidifying its status as one of the foremost complicated watches ever produced.
The imminent auction is set to captivate the watch community, with Mr. Hines expected to command attention on December 5. The event will take place at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, offering collectors a unique chance to acquire a piece of horological history. More details are available at sothebys.com/en/series/abu-dhabi-collectors-week.