Sotheby’s to Auction Extraterrestrial Timepieces

Sotheby’s is set to present Area_51, an extraordinary auction on Thursday, 3 April, in Geneva at La Salle Trocmé, a venue with a futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of an otherworldly craft.

This exclusive sale will feature 51 avant-garde wristwatches with estimates ranging from CHF 2,000 to CHF 200,000. The exhibition of these exceptional timepieces opens on 1 April, coinciding with the prestigious watch fair, Watches and Wonders Geneva.

Curated in partnership with Heist Out, a conceptual magazine launched in 2023, this auction marks the second chapter of a series. The first, held in April last year, took place in the atmospheric depths of a Geneva wine cellar, where 24 vintage watches were swiftly sold; most surpassing their high estimates.

This latest edition expands beyond vintage pieces, introducing contemporary and even brand-new creations.

Among the highlights is a tantalum-cased variation with a meteorite dial from Furlan Marri’s Disco Volante series, estimated between CHF 6,000 and CHF 12,000.

Equally captivating is a Toledano & Chan model in steel with a gold-plated dial, valued at CHF 8,000 to CHF 12,000. Inspired by fighter jets, particularly the legendary Lockheed-Martin F-117 stealth aircraft developed in Nevada’s Area 51, this timepiece boasts an angular, asymmetrical case.

These two unique watches were specially designed and produced for the auction.

Beyond independent brands such as Urwerk, MB&F, Ressence, De Bethune, and Gérald Genta, the sale will also showcase creations from renowned watchmakers commanding the highest estimates.

A prime example is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept CWI, introduced in 2002 and limited to just 150 pieces. Crafted in titanium and alacrite, a cobalt, chromium, and tungsten alloy used in aerospace technology, this watch features a dynamograph and a tourbillon with a shock-resistant spring bridge, its entire movement suspended within the case.

With an estimate between CHF 100,000 and CHF 200,000, it is the undisputed star of the sale.

Equally remarkable is a rare Gérald Genta Ref. G. 4036 in platinum, adorned with diamonds and a blue mother-of-pearl dial. Dating from the 1990s, this masterpiece integrates a minute repeater and a perpetual calendar with moon phases, an exquisite example of haute horology.

Patek Philippe enthusiasts will find two standout pieces. The first, a Ref. 4233/1 in hammered yellow gold, was produced in very limited numbers around 1973. Its daring bracelet-like design, enriched with lapis lazuli, malachite, and turquoise, carries an estimate of CHF 20,000 to CHF 40,000.

Another exceptional piece, the Patek Philippe Ref. 4117/1G in white gold, was retailed by Asprey, the prestigious British luxury house. This rare model, last seen at auction nearly two decades ago, features exquisitely preserved blue butterfly wings, elevating its estimated value to between CHF 50,000 and CHF 100,000.

Finally, the sale would not be complete without an intriguing Rolex. The Starship, an all-gold creation from the 1980s, is estimated at CHF 8,000 to CHF 12,000.

Its elongated oval case evokes a futuristic aesthetic, further enhanced by a finely woven bracelet that seamlessly extends to the minimalist dial, an absolute gem.