WHAT: The vintage, pink gold “Jean Claude Killy” Rolex chronograph pictured here may look nothing like today’s widely available Rolex wristwatches, but it brought $344,223 (converted from Hong Kong dollars) in a recent Antiquorum Hong Kong sale of high-end watches. The watch is one of the maker’s rarest complications.
MORE: The timepiece with triple-date calendar is named after the French downhill ski racer who won his first World Cup in 1967 and took three gold medals in the 1968 Olympics. Killy dominated the sport in the 1960s.
SMART COLLECTORS KNOW: Rolex models named for celebrity wearers, all male so far, are a special category.
HOT TIP: Known as Rolex Ref 6036, the Killy watch is very rare. Only 144 were made in pink gold, and just 170 were made in yellow gold.
BOTTOM LINE: Made even more desirable (translation: valuable) because of original condition with light oxidation from storage plus patina from age, the watch sold with its original box and paperwork.
MORE: Auction house Christie’s has announced that its Fall 2016 Asian Art Week involving eight sales in four days, Sept. 13-16, totaled $58.6 million. Top lot was an “oil spot” (for the glaze) tea bowl for $11.7 million. The result set a new auction record for a Song dynasty (1127-1279) tea bowl.
