With the major spring watch sales behind us and August traditionally being a dead month in the auction world, there would be few remaining chances for inveterate horophiles to get a bid in before the autumn had Monaco Legend not come to the rescue with an event – on 17 July – that will see more than 200 timepieces cross the block, with estimates ranging from €1,700 to €300,000. The Monaco Legend Group is a relative newcomer to the auction scene, having been established in 2015 by chairman Claude Cohen as an outlet not only for watches but for jewellery and classic cars too. Operating from an 800 square metre sale room in the principality – complete with a permanent exhibition of classics and its own vehicle workshop – the firm has turned over in excess of €50 million since its inaugural auction in 2016, more than €5m of which was accounted for by its January watch and jewellery sale. Following that success, long-established horological expert Davide Parmegiani came on board as a 50 per cent stakeholder in the company, bringing with him 30 years' experience as a collector. The July sale is the first auction into which Parmegiani has had input and his influence can be felt in the quality and originality of the offerings, the highlight of which is a 1959 Omega Speedmaster – one of the hottest collectable watches of the moment – that's tipped to fetch a strong €150,000 to €300,000. The so-called "Broad Arrow" model (above), from the first two years of Speedmaster production, was originally supplied to the Peruvian air force and is expected to be hotly contested both for its extremely good condition and its uniform "tropical" dial – meaning the original black has faded over time to a chocolate brown colour. Another early example of a classic model comes in the form of a 1954 Rolex Sub-Aqua, which is described as a "prototype" of the better-known Submariner and is one of just five similar watches to have appeared at auction. Again in very original, unrestored condition, it's expected to realise up to €150,000. But the sale is not all about old sports watches worth six-figure sums. There's a great selection of vintage and modern dress models, too, including a 1977 Patek Philippe Gondolo with onyx dial and matching yellow gold integrated bracelet, while Cartier's superb, limited edition "Collection Privée" line from the early noughties is represented in an eye-catching platinum Tank Cintrée with red dial markings (above – €20,000 to €40,000), a platinum Tortue perpetual calendar in "extra large" case (€45,000 to €90,000) and a white gold Tank Cintrée dual time, one of 100 made but modestly estimated to fetch €6,000 to €12,000. Heuer fans, meanwhile, can bid for an unusual grey-dial Seventies Monaco (above) being offered in "new, old stock" condition for €10,000 to €20,000 (complete with all its original booklets and labels) and a Sixties Carrera-style chronograph that may fetch as little as €1,700. Among the most beautifully preserved vintage chronographs, however, is a Longines flyback model, likely from the Fifties and equipped with the legendary 30CH hand-wound movement. At the lower end of the €8,500 to €15,000 estimate, we reckon it would be money well spent. The Monaco Legend watch and jewellery auction takes place on 17 July at 13 Boulevard Princesse Charlotte, Monaco. Sessions at 3pm and 6pm, all lots on view from 11am to 8pm on 13 and 16 July and from 11am to 2pm on the day of sale. Find the catalogue and further information at monacolegendauctions.com
This more than 30 years's Monaco Legend Group auction will be the first since the arrival of expert Davide Parmegiani. Among the watches to be offered will be a 1959 Omega Speedmaster, estimated at a punchy €150,000 ($171,000) to €300,000, due to its rare tropical dial and "Broad Arrow" hands. Also on offer is a 1954 Rolex Sub-Aqua, which the auctioneer described as a prototype for the Submariner. Parmegiani, who has month of experience as a collector, holds a 50% stake in the company.