Sotheby’s will offer the yellow-gold Calibre 89, the most complex watch ever made by Patek Phillippe, in its Important Watches sale in Geneva on May 14.
The watch was painstakingly constructed to mark Patek Philippe’s 150th anniversary in 1989.
The Calibre 89 features 33 complications
It features 33 complications, including a display indicating the hour of sunset and a thermometer.
It was designed to surpass the Henry Graves Supercomplication (created by Patek Philippe for banker Henry Graves in 1933), which has 24.
Graves’ watch set a record for any timepiece when it realised $24m in 2014.
The Calibre 89 is expected to make around $6.4m-9.9m.
That lower sum (despite the increased level of complication) is partly because three other examples of the watch exist, in white gold, rose gold and platinum.
The present example last sold for $5m at Antiquorum in Geneva in 2009.
Daryn Schnipper, Sotheby’s watch chairman, says: “This is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary timepieces we’ve ever had the privilege to offer.
“Having set a world record for any timepiece with the sale of Patek Philippe’s Henry Graves Supercomplication, it is wonderful to have the opportunity to offer yet another unique piece of such horological genius and importance.”
The watch is very much Patek Philippe’s flagship model and is sure to attract significant attention from buyers around the world.
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