Hammer price on the J.B. Champion Observatory chronometer (Lot 88) was CHF 3,300,000, resulting in a final price of CHF 3,779,000 ($4,012,520).

The estimate had been CHF 2,000,000 to CHF 4,000,000 ($2,123,588 to $4,247,176), so it seems to have sold in the middle of the estimated range.

We will stand by to see whether Mr. Clapton does better with his!!

Jeff

++++++++++++++++++++

: In a little less than 19 hours, the eyes of the watch world will
: be on Geneva, where Chritie's will be auctioning 318 watches,
: including two Patek Philippes that have received a lot of
: attention -- the J.B. Champion Observatory chronometer
: wristwatch in platinum (Lot 88) and the Reference 2499 perpetual
: calendar chronograph in platinum, currently owned by Eric
: Calpton (lot 151).

: I read parts of the auction catalog yesterday. These are two
: amazing watches and the write-ups in the auction catlog are
: fascinating. While the Eric Clapton watch has received most of
: the attention in the press, the story of J.B. Champion and his
: is very interesting. He was a Texas lawyer, who was a VIP
: customer of Patek Philippe, and he received this Observatory
: tested chronometer in 1952.

: Google either the Eric Clapton watch or the J.B. Champion watch,
: and you will have some interesting Sunday reading. Here are a
: couple of blog postings, to get you started:

: --
: http://blog.perpetuelle.com/special-reports/eric-clapton-auctions-ultra-rare-patek-philippe-ref-2499100-in-platinum/

: -- http://www.hodinkee.com/eric-claptons-patek-philippe-2499

: --
: http://blogs.christies.com/longitude/brands/patek-philippe/first-live-pictures-eric-claptons-patek-philippe-2499-100-in-platinum-only-one-of-2-in-existence/

: If our readers are interested, we can chat about the results
: tomorrow. Probably not directly relevant to our little corner of
: the vintage watch world, but -- all else being equal -- it seems
: that successful auctions of the best-of-the-best must be good
: for the vintage watch "asset class", in general.

: Jeff

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