Philips has announced that it will be offering Italian publisher and watch expert, Guido Mondani’s personal watch collection as part of The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX.
A prominent figure in the luxury watch industry, Mondani has published numerous books on horology throughout his career spanning over three decades. In addition, he’s also an ardent collector of Rolex and Patek Philippe references. Back in 2006, he auctioned a fraction of his collection, comprised of vintage Rolex references. Among the lineup then, two of the timepieces were recorded as the most expensive Rolex watches ever sold.
This time, Mondani intends to auction the rest of his collection. “I now feel prepared to part with the watches that I felt were too special to sell 18 years ago. This occasion is further confirmation that my continuous search for, and acquisition of, quality timepieces has brought me great satisfaction,” said Mondani.
A total of 40 time-tellers from Mondani will be offered up at the upcoming auction in Geneva, spanning vintage wristwatches from the likes of Rolex, Longines, Eberhard, and Patek Philippe. One of the main talking pieces of the sale is a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6269 that Mondani gifted his wife during a vacation in 1985. Estimated to fetch between. 600,000 – 1,200,000 CHF (around $679,447 – $1,358,894 USD), the timepiece arrives in an 18k yellow gold build with a full diamond-set dial and bezel.
Other highlights include an 18k pink gold Rolex Chronograph Ref. 6036 “Jean-Claude Killy” from 1955, as well as a 1938 Eberhard Rattrapante Chronograph that Mondani had purchased from a retiring Eberhard & Co. salesperson back in 1988.
Guido Mondani’s collection will be on display in Milan. on March 20, a selection of its timepieces will be exhibited in New York between April 3 -5 as well as in London from April 19 -21. The complete collection will be avaiable to view on display starting May 8.
The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX will take place from May 11- 12, more details regarding the collection and the sale can be found on Phillips’ official website.
