Horological Society of New York

TIMEPIECES FOR HSNY: 2021 CHARITY AUCTION
Presented by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo

JUNE 7 - 14, 2021

Complete Conditions of Sale, including details on tax deductible bidding, are available on the Phillips website.

The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) is pleased to announce Timepieces for HSNY: 2021 Charity Auction, presented online by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo from June 7-14, 2021.

Bidders worldwide can expect to see horological marvels from top Swiss and Japanese brands. With a ‘No Reserve’ policy across all timepieces, HSNY invites auction-goers to bid enthusiastically on seven incredible timepieces, including a unique wristwatch created for HSNY, a coveted limited edition release and a first known model of its kind to be offered at auction.

All proceeds will benefit HSNY in its ongoing mission to advance the art and science of horology, which includes offering financial aid to watchmaking institutions and full-time watchmaking students in the United States. 

Click on an image below to jump to the auction lot description. Happy bidding!

Lot 1
Rolex
Ref. 5500; inside caseback stamped 1002
An interesting and rare stainless steel wristwatch with bracelet, “Pool-Intairdril” logo, and presentation box

Circa 1979
34mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet, and clasp signed. Dial additionally signed with “Pool Intairdril” logo.

Estimate
$2,000 to $3,000

Donated by Eric Ku, 10 Past Ten

Manufacturer: Rolex
Year: Circa 1979
Reference No: 5500; inside caseback stamped 1002
Case No: 6’354’909
Model Name: Air-King
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1520, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex folded Oyster bracelet, reference 7835, endlinks stamped 357, max length 180mm
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp
Accessories: Accompanied by period-correct Rolex presentation box.

Condition Report
Dial: The dial is in excellent condition. The luminous material to the handset and hour markers is intact and has aged evenly throughout. It reacts correctly under UV light.

Case/Bracelet: The case is in overall very good condition with signs of wear throughout. The caseback bears the engraving “G.W. KAUFMAN SERVICE SINCE 7-31-78”. There is crazing to the crystal. The bracelet has some light stretch.

Movement: The movement is clean and running at the time of cataloguing. Please note that this watch has not been tested for timekeeping accuracy.

Catalogue Essay
Rolex’s Air-King model was first launched in 1945, and named for the airmen of the British Royal Air Force that had defended their country so bravely during WWII. Hans Wilsdorf, wishing to commemorate these veterans, released a range of “Air” models, including the Air-Lion, Air-Tiger, and Air-Giant. The only one of these post-war year models to survive was the Air-King. Offered in many different forms since then, it is one of Rolex’s longest lasting offerings. It was designed to be an affordable gateway into Rolex, with no complications, without sacrificing quality.

The reference 5500 was introduced in 1957 in a compact, 34-millimeter case, and proved a mainstay of the Rolex mid-century catalogue, as it was in continuous production until 1989 when it was replaced by the reference 14000. The Air-King was briefly discontinued in 2014 but resurfaced in 2016 as the reference 116900 in an upsized 40-millimeter case.

The dial of the Air-King is far simpler than the Datejust or Date, not only for its lack of a date window but since the movements were not chronometer-certified, they never bore this designation on the dial. The present reference 5500 has a rare and fascinating feature on the dial: the corporate logo of Pool-Intairdril factory applied by Rolex, an international oil company specializing in equipment and excavation supplies in the 1970s and 1980s. These watches were most likely given out as safety awards or to acknowledge the service of their employees, as seen by the engraving on the caseback of this example recognizing the service of a Mr. Kaufman beginning in July of 1978. Pool-Intairdril wasn’t the only company to see its logo on the dials of Air-Kings – American chains such as Winn-Dixie and Domino’s Pizza also gifted Air-Kings to their employees emblazoned with their corporate logos.

This reference 5500, generously donated by Mr. Eric Ku of 10 Past Ten, is preserved in crisp, original condition. The dial has aged to a beautiful ivory color, and the blue and black Pool-Intairdril logo is perfectly intact and slightly raised. The watch dates to 1979 and is accompanied by a period-correct Rolex presentation box and stainless steel folded Oyster bracelet. ∎

Lot 2
Ulysse Nardin
case no. 618’986
A fine silver chronometer deck watch made for the British Hydrographic Service with brass case, wooden box, and extract from the archives

1942
Chronometer 56mm diameter, box 97cm x 62cm 120cm
Case, dial and movement signed.

Estimate
$2,000 to $4,000

Donated by Ulysse Nardin

Manufacturer: Ulysse Nardin
Year: 1942
Movement No: 122’757
Case No: 618’986
Material: Silver
Calibre: Manual, cal. 22’’’
Accessories: Accompanied by Ulysse Nardin Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present deck watch for the British Hydrographic Service in 1942.

Condition Report
Case: The case is in excellent condition with very light shallow surface wear. The engraved H.S. ▯2 to the case back remains crisp. The wooden box is original and in excellent condition with signs of use. The inner brass case is in excellent condition and signed “Dennison British Made”, 1102, and the inside of the interior rim numbered 1102.

Dial: The white enamel dial is pristine and without any flaws - there are no visible hairlines or cracks.

Movement: The movement is running at the time of cataloguing, however we recommend servicing. Please note the movement has not been tested for accuracy.

Catalogue Essay
When John Harrison (1693-1776) completed his marine chronometer H4, he forever changed navigation with a revolutionary timekeeper that solved the issue of determining longitude while at sea. While today’s sailors use satellite navigation, ancient mariners struggled to determine their positions and heading at sea, with countless shipwrecks and lost lives motivating merchants, the scientific establishment, and nations to find a solution for determining longitude. The elusiveness of finding longitude at sea had reached mythical proportions – analogous to the search for the fountain of youth.

Completed in 1759 after nearly 30 years of development, H4 was Harrison’s 4th iteration built up from his understanding and development of three prior timekeepers he created. Moving from relatively large clocks to this final, hand-held chronometer, Harrison improved timekeeping precision, invented a device to take variability out of parts manufacturing, and most importantly, developed a bi-metallic correcting curb for the balance spring using principles applied from his earlier clocks. This revolutionary discovery permitted the watch to compensate for the extreme temperature changes experienced at sea, allowing H4 to lose just 15 seconds over 156 days at sea. H4 and those chronometers that followed revolutionized maritime navigation well into the 20th century, with deck watches becoming a ship’s most important navigational tool.

Hydrography is the surveying and charting of bodies of water, which serves as another important component for marine navigation. In 1795, the British Admiralty appointed their first hydrographer to produce sailing charts for the Royal Navy, and from these beginnings the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) was created. Part of the Ministry of Defence, the UKHO was tasked with supplying operational support to the Royal Navy, commercial shipping, and protecting the marine environment.

The present Ulysse Nardin deck watch, made in 1942 (during World War II) and used by the British Hydrographic Service, is a lovely example of one of these important shipboard, navigational chronometers. Marine chronometers were the ultimate “tool” watches of their day, and have long been sought after by collectors both for their extreme timekeeping precision, high quality movements, as well as their historical importance. Unlike civilian pocket watches, deck watches were heavier and sturdier made to survive exposure at sea, and usually found in a silver case, which was more resilient compared to other metals.

Encased in its original wooden box and measuring a substantial 56 mm in diameter, its overall quality is outstanding. It’s fitted with a pristine and highly legible enamel dial with elegant blued steel hands. Inside, is a precision movement, featuring a state-of-the-art escapement with Guillaume balance wheel and blued-steel hairspring ensuring maximum accuracy across the range of temperatures expected at sea. With a superb indirect center seconds complication and adjusted to five positions, its Extract from the Archives confirms the watch as “Top Class” – the very best quality to be produced by Ulysse Nardin. The case back is engraved “H.S. ▯2”, an indication it was used by the British Hydrographic Service, and further confirmed on the extract. ∎

Lot 3
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3589
A very fine, rare, and unusual white gold cushion-shaped wristwatch with blue Roman-numeral dial

1973
33mm Diameter x 35mm Length
Case, dial, movement, strap, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$4,000 to $6,000

Donated by John Reardon, Collectability

Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
Year: 1973
Reference No: 3589
Movement No: 1'285'553
Case No: 529'186
Model Name: Ellipse
Material: 18K white gold
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 28-255, 36 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Patek Philippe buckle
Accessories: Patek Phillips Extract from the Archives is on order and will be delivered to the winning bidder. Further accompanied by modern Patek Philippe leather pouch.

Condition Report
Dial: The dial is in good condition with oxidation around the applied Roman numerals. There is light spotting between 6 and 7 o’clock, and between the post and 5 o’clock.

Case/Bracelet: The case is in overall good condition with signs of wear. The single hallmark to the caseback is lightly rubbed. There are scratches to the elevated polished portion of the bezel and scratches to the caseback.

Movement: The movement is running at the time of cataloguing. Please note that this watch has not been tested for timekeeping accuracy.

Catalogue Essay
What do The Sacrament of the Last Supper by Salvador Dali, La Courbusier’s “Villa Stein”, a pineapple, and Patek Philippe’s Ellipse all have in common? It is the mystical, but very real and present, golden ratio – sometimes called the divine proportion and expressed numerically with 1.618. It was first defined by Euclid as “a straight line…said to have been cut in extreme and mean ratio when, as the whole line is to the greater segment, so is the greater to the lesser.” The golden ratio can be seen in nature, but it has often been employed in art, architecture, and music to enhance the balance and beauty of a composition.

Patek Philippe introduced the Ellipse model in 1968 as an ode to the golden ratio and celebrating the more flamboyant tastes of the 1960s. The present “Grand Ellipse” reference 3589 was introduced in 1970, and was the very first Patek Philippe reference to be fitted with the caliber 28-255. Widely regarded as one of the finest automatic calibers ever produced, it was developed jointly with Jaeger-LeCoultre by the so-called “Holy Trinity” of horology: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin. The world’s thinnest full-rotor, selfwinding movement at the time, with a mere 2.45mm thickness, the winding rotor is wrought in beryllium with a 21 karat gold rim. The JLC caliber 920 ébauche would be used a few years later in Patek Philippe’s Nautilus, Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, and Vacheron Constantin’s 222 – the triumvirate of pioneering luxury steel sports watches.

The alternating Roman numerals and stick indexes are engraved into the dial, rather than applied, adding depth and texture to the shimmering blue gold satin-finished dial. The ‘SWISS’ designation below 6 o’clock is flanked by two priori or “sigma” marks, indicating that the elements of the dial and the hands are manufactured in solid gold. The dial is surrounded by a thin frame of polished white gold and then stepped to a flatter, brushed finished bezel. Notable in the design of the Ellipse is the lack of lugs, as the strap is attached directly to two posts to the back of the case and gives a seamless appearance when on the wrist.

Generously donated by the founder of Collectability, John Reardon, the present Ellipse is presented in beautiful, original condition and comes accompanied with a Patek Philippe leather envelope. ∎

Lot 4
rolex
Ref. 1500
A beautiful and well-preserved yellow gold wristwatch with date

circa 1980
35mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$3,000 to $5,000

Donated by Eric Wind, Wind Vintage

Manufacturer: Rolex
Year: circa 1980
Reference No: 1500
Movement No: D’589’140
Case No: 6’435’758
Model Name: Oyster Perpetual Date
Material: 18K yellow gold
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex buckle
Accessories: Accompanied by four additional multicolored straps and travel springbar tool, provided by Wind Vintage.

Condition Report
Dial: The dial is in excellent condition, with no signs of age. The luminous material is perfectly intact on the handset and at each hour marker, and has aged uniformly. It reacts correctly under UV light.

Case/Bracelet: The case is in excellent condition. There is a single watchmaker’s mark to the caseback. The lugs are thick and even, displaying their original brushed finishing, and the lug holes are even and crisp. There are light scratches to the underside of the lugs and caseback.

Movement: The movement is running at the time of cataloguing and the date changes over at midnight. Please note that this watch has not been tested for timekeeping accuracy.

Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date - not to be confused with the Oyster Perpetual Datejust - was introduced to the Rolex lineup in 1955, where it has remained ever since as the brand’s entry-level complicated model. The first Oyster Perpetual Date, reference 6534, was in production from 1955 until 1960, when it was replaced by the reference 1500. From 1960 to 1976, the reference 1500 was treated to a similar array of case materials and dial variations as the more well-known Datejust with only one small difference: a two-millimeter reduction in size.

Luxurious and resplendent in 18 karat yellow gold fitted with a matching champagne dial, the reference 1500 offered here is made even more exceptional by virtue of its condition. The case is remarkably well-preserved, with sharp hallmarks to the reverse of the lugs. The original factory brushed finishing is present on the sides of the case and tops of the lugs. The radiant gold dial is similarly preserved, with each baton hour marker with a strip of black enamel embedded to allow for an attractive and useful contrast to the rest of the dial and case.

Generously donated by Mr. Eric Wind of Wind Vintage, the present watch comes accompanied by an assortment of four additional colorful calfskin straps and a travel springbar tool to easily change the strap when the mood strikes. ∎

Lot 5
Greubel Forsey
MeCcano, Double Tourbillon Concept
A very rare and historically significant metal mechanical Double Tourbillon 30° model celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary, with pamphlet and presentation box

2014
no. 25 of 150

Estimate
$1,000 to $2,000

Donated by Greubel Forsey

Manufacturer: Greubel Forsey
Year: 2014
Case No: No. 25 of 150
Model Name: Meccano, Double Tourbillon Concept
Material: Metal and plastic
Accessories: Accompanied by Greubel Forsey presentation box and pamphlet.

Condition Report
Case: The model is in new unused condition.

Catalogue Essay
Greubel Forsey is an innovative force which creates contemporary mechanical timepieces that are a hybrid between the highly technical and artistic elements of horology. Through their EWT Laboratory, they refuse to accept there are no new technical advances in watchmaking, and with an uncompromising vision, and a high standard of craftsmanship, their “inventions” add new chapters to the history of horology. In 2004, they released their first mechanical marvel, the Double Tourbillon 30° featuring a patented 30° inclined tourbillon carriage, which revolutionized high-end watchmaking. The tourbillon is set within another, and effectively compensates for gravity-related errors. The exterior tourbillon is inclined at 30°, rotating every 60 seconds, while the inner tourbillon carriage rotates every four minutes. The double tourbillon mechanism improves timekeeping by averaging out positional errors due to gravity, ensuring better chronometric performance.

Following years of research and development, the Greubel Forsey team committed their first invention to paper, and needed to create a proof of concept model. In 2002, Stephen Forsey, who as a child played with a Meccano set given to him by his father, spent a weekend at home with his childhood toy and rendered a three-dimensional model of the Double Tourbillon 30°, which would go on to represent their first marketable wristwatch. Meccano model construction sets were created by Frank Hornby in 1898, offering kits with metal strips, gears, and wheels which children used to create working mechanical structures.

The present Meccano model was released in 2014 during the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie by Greubel Forsey to celebrate their 10th anniversary. These working sculptural pieces were gifted to loyal collectors and never offered for sale to the public. Each Meccano was recreated from parts sourced through eBay and online websites with each piece cleaned, repainted and prepared for assembly. The handcrafted models were unique since there was no uniformity to the parts, and Greubel Forsey used what they could source. Number 25 is in excellent condition, and is a marvel to wind with a hand crank to observe the double tourbillon in action. Accompanied with the original presentation box and pamphlet, this is the first known Meccano model to be offered at auction. Mechanical models have a long tradition in horology, and this 21st-century example is a wonderful concept piece, which is sure to amaze and entertain all collectors. ∎

Lot 6
Grand Seiko
ref. SBGM239
A brand new, very fine, attractive, and limited stainless steel dual time-zone wristwatch with date, bracelet, certificate, and presentation box

2020
Case, dial, movement, bracelet, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$3,000 to $6,000

Donated by grand Seiko in partnership with hodinkee

Manufacturer: Grand Seiko
Year: 2020
Reference No: SBGM239
Movement No: 2'034'958
Case No: Numbered 411/500; certificate number 163298
Model Name: Automatic GMT SBGM239 Limited Edition for HODINKEE
Material: Stainless steel
Calibre: Automatic, cal. 9S66, 35 jewels
Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel
Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel deployant clasp
Accessories: Accompanied by Grand Seiko Inspection Certificate, warranty card, instruction manual, hang tag, polish cloth pouch, fitted presentation box, and outer packaging.

Condition Report
Dial: The dial is pristine and in new condition.

Case/Bracelet: The case and bracelet are pristine and in new, unworn condition with the factory tag still attached.

Movement: The watch is brand new.

Catalogue Essay
In late 2019, online watch publication and retailer HODINKEE released their first limited edition collaboration with the venerated Japanese brand Grand Seiko – the Automatic GMT SBGM239. Realized in only 500 total pieces, the reference had previously been celebrated for its easy-to-use GMT, or dual time, function, superb finishing relative to retail price, and three-day power reserve provided by the in-house, Seiko caliber 9S66. A well-proportioned and comfortable 39.5mm in diameter, this version of the SBGM series was the first to be available both on a bracelet and leather strap for American collectors.

The HODINKEE iteration introduced some enhancements to the dial and the addition of a stainless steel three-link bracelet to build upon the tried-and-true elements of the original. The bracelet is robust and ergonomic, and melds beautifully with the Zaratsu-polished case.

The most significant changes were made however to the dial. Its color is described as “twilight blue”, referring to the color of the sky between sunset and the onset of dusk. Technically, the color is closest to what is referred to as evening nautical twilight, though it is often referred to more poetically as l’heure bleu in French and yūgure in Japanese. It is rather a chameleon, taking on slightly different hues depending on the lighting situation. HODINKEE worked with Grand Seiko to refine the text on the dial, which is printed in a muted grey color. Though the color is quite subtle against the vividness of the blue dial, legibility is not compromised.

Generously donated by Grand Seiko in collaboration with HODINKEE, a longtime partner and sponsor of the Horological Society of New York, the present SBGM239 is numbered 411 of 500 and is offered in brand new, unworn condition with all its original accessories. ∎

2021
Case, dial and movement signed.

Estimate
$5,000 to $10,000

Donated by ARNOLD & SON

Condition Report
Case: The watch is in new condition.

Dial: The watch is in new condition.

Movement: The watch is in new condition.

Catalogue Essay
John Arnold (1736-1799) was an English watchmaker and inventor known for his pioneering work on precision timekeeping and chronometry. His legacy in the field of mechanical watchmaking has been lasting, producing portable and accurate marine chronometers that have shaped the modern mechanical watch, as well as having invented the overcoil hairspring. In 1764, Arnold presented to His Majesty King George III a quarter repeating cylinder watch mounted in a ring, earning him much renown in the world of horology, and leading to his illustrious career. Today, Arnold & Son is a Swiss watchmaking brand rooted in the history of John Arnold. As a tribute to the master horologist, their collections are centered on three pillars: world-time, chronometry, and astronomy, and seek to perpetuate Arnold’s legacy, while exploring modern ways to interpret traditional horology.

The present unique wristwatch, being sold to benefit the Horological Society of New York, is a celebration of New York City and the many collectors who live in the tri-state area. Since its founding in 1866, the Horological Society of New York’s mission has been to disseminate watchmaking knowledge throughout the United States, and this 21st-century wristwatch is an artistic and technical representation of the society’s goals and tribute to the city. The mother-of-pearl dial features one of the city’s most iconic views, the Manhattan Bridge, seen from Brooklyn’s Washington Street in DUMBO with the bridge, which opened to traffic in 1909, framed by red brick buildings capturing a dynamic urban snapshot.

The HM Horological Society New York is a wonderful example of Arnold & Sons Métiers d’Art collection, which features timepieces with finely detailed, hand-painted dials with miniature images. The images are rich in detail and demonstrate the brand’s mastery of the decorative arts. Dial fabrication begins with the theme applied with a four layer process similar to tracing paper, then the miniature painter works with a microscope and a single-hair paintbrush to add details and texture. The dial of the HM Horological Society New York is doubly unique with the addition of Super-LuminNova to color pigments applied to Manhattan Bridge and parts of Washington Street. As darkness falls, particular areas of the dial are illuminated, representing the night-time scene. The emblematic depiction is further enhanced with the white mother-of-pearl representing the daylight sky.

Inside ticks the calibre A&S 1001. Developed, decorated and assembled in La Chaux-de-Fond, it is a well-finished, ultra-slim movement with 90-hours of power reserve beating at a traditional 21,600 beats per hour.

Presented in new condition with the Arnold & Son Certificate of Guarantee and presentation box, the HM Horological Society New York is a fascinating representation of New York City, and a tribute and honour to both fine traditional watchmaking, and the Horological Society of New York. ∎

Images courtesy of Phillips