Comments:
The first one hands down!
Whoa, I'm incredibly surprised at the estimates for these. AP platinum minute repeaters under $40K??? Is that real?
I assume...
The estimates exclude buyers premium? So another 15-30%?
Can someone more well versed in auctions confirm. I have never bid at auction... prefer private sales.
Can someone more well versed in auctions confirm. I have never bid at auction... prefer private sales.
Even then, I would've guessed $100K+ as long as they are in good condition [nt]
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True, but estimates are just that...
Serves to draw people in to bid and help drive what really matters - what it sells for. Or am I being too cynical? 
25% premium is the norm at these levels. I know the wandering hour version (#2 of 3) sold for about US$60k via Phillips HK a while back and the same watch for CHF32k back in 2010.
The skeleton version, watch #10, fetched US$79k almost in 2012 at Christie’s. Watch #8 sold for closer to US$40k just a year before at Sotheby’s.
But something in my memory tells me I’ve seen these go for far less, I just can find the details right now.
But something in my memory tells me I’ve seen these go for far less, I just can find the details right now.
Thanks Jay for the recollection.
I await in anticipation for the forthcoming auction. I have set my own limits - self discipline is key!
The AP minute repeaters
at the Geneva auctions that just ended last weekend were generally sold at about 20% above the estimates (inc buyers premium). The fact that the buyers premium is 25% indicates that the estimates were about right.
In my opinion, AP minute repeaters
are terribly undervalued at auctions. Maybe the smaller sized ones just do not command as high a price as the larger sized cases but hey, they are still minute repeaters and ideal for the smaller wristed folk like me.
I'll definitely have to keep an eye out for these in the future, I had no idea it was possible to get something like that within this price range.
Best of luck for the auction! Would love to see a review on one of these if you win 
Unfortunately I did not bid for the star wheel
the reason being Christie's were kind enough to send me photos of the watch and the condition report confirmed that there was a ding on the case band at 9 o'clock which was off putting. For the record, both the above watches were sold for the same price - HKD 437,500.
The buyer's premium is usually 25% at the price level
Having observed auctions, I have noticed that many estimates are exceeded especially at Philips auctions where the estimates seem on the lower side.Of course some lots remain unsold but the majority do sell.
Absolutely!
If you have been following the Geneva auctions, quite a few went for USD40k and under which included the 25% buyer's premium ie the hammer price was USD32k. Quite a bargain.
Indeed, a bargain for the Connoisseur. BUT don't forget to add the price of a good service... [nt]
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Absolutely Nico!I
As I was mentioning to jleno above, I have budgeted USD5k for a service and I hope that would be enough. I hope
It might be more... If I refer to the price of a full service plus some pieces for my 5402C some 9 years ago... [nt]
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Maybe that is why they are selling at relatively bargain prices
it is like buying a classic car and having it restored but I believe this AP is in better condition than a classic car! If not, I will have to rob a bank!
A question to an expert Nico
Can a ding on a watch case be repaired and be made to disappear? The star wheel above had a ding at the case band at 9 o'clock so I decided to refrain from bidding. The hammer price was HKD350,000 which was double its lower estimate and in excess of its higher estimate but that ding just put me off.
Where, the spot? The little round one at the right of the flash? [nt]
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Good question Nico! :-)
Christie's sent this photo to me and to be honest, I never got around to asking them where the ding was!! Yes, I know, I know.....
If it is the small round one, no worries about that. I would keep it as it is! [nt]
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