An auction of vintage Omega watches as well as one worn by Daniel
Craig in the most recent James Bond movie Casino Royale fetched a
staggering CHF 6.5m, more than three times the pre-sale estimate.
'Omegamania', hosted by the world's leading horological
auctioneers, Antiquorum, generated a total of CHF 6,536,911 including
the highest price ever paid for an Omega watch at auction. A Platinum
Constellation Grand Luxe dating from 1953 went to a Swiss bidder for
CHF 413,700 after fierce competition from Italy and Japan.
The auction was staged in Geneva on Saturday and Sunday and
broadcast simultaneously to the Basel watch and jewellery fair, with
bids via a satellite link for the first time ever at a public auction.
In addition, 48,500 people all over the world followed the auction via
internet link, with one third of the lots sold online.
The last of the 300 lots, all of which were sold, was the
Seamaster Planet Ocean worn by the new James Bond. The watch was
acquired by a UK buyer who would not disclose his name, but the
tension would have pleased Bond author Ian Fleming as the bidding
became ever more intense between room, phone and online. The watch
finally went for the astounding price of CHF 250,250.
More glamour was added by the ring watch once owned by the
original 'Bond girl', actress Ursula Andress. The watch, designed by
Andrew Grima in 1972, was bought by a bidder at the Baselworld fair
for CHF 261,750. Two original Speedmasters, the watch that became the
first and only model ever to be worn on the moon, were sold for 30
times more than the current retail price.
Osvaldo Patrizzi, founder and chairman of Antiquorum, said:
"Omegamania has confirmed the arrival of Omega in the top echelon of
collectors' brands." Vincent Ferniot, a renowned French journalist,
said: "Omega collectors like me always felt a little discredited by
other watch brand collectors and we always knew that the prices of our
vintage Omega watches were underestimated. From now on we might even
be envied."
Stephen Urquhart, president of Omega, said: "Omegamania has shown
all Omega fans and watch collectors the fantastic richness and scope
of the brand and its heritage. Today's auction will remain as a
milestone in Omega's history."
OMEGA is a company of the Swatch Group
