finews.ch looks back on some highlights of the year from the world of luxury watches, art and other collectibles.
Art, luxury watches and rare collectibles are sometimes more than just beautiful things to look at and enjoy owning. They can also offer superior returns on investment. Some luxury companies are even taking a private equity approach to grow their business in this space.
Here are some of the stories about which finews.ch last year reported:
1. Shot Sage Blue Marilyn
Shot Sage Blue Marilyn von Andy Warhol (Bild: Christie’s)
A work made in a “factory” becomes the most expensive work of art of the 20th century ever to be auctioned. Andy Warhols iconic portrait of Marilyn Monroe, “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn,” fetched $195 million at a Christie’s auction in May. The proceeds go to a Swiss foundation that supports children all over the world.
The work was the last object to be sold at Christie’s as part of the «Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann Evening Sale» went under the hammer. The auction was for the Collection of the Ammannsthe siblings and co-founders of Thomas Ammann Fine Art in Zurich.
2. A Patek for Christmas
(Image: Christie’s)
Just in time for the holiday season, Christie’s held a live auction in New York with 17 lots of vintage and modern timepieces, some of the most desirable brands in the world.
One of the highlights among the vintage watches was a rare 18k rose gold wristwatch made in 1950 (picture above) with a cloisonné enamel dial depicting a Viking longship. Currently, most old Patek Philippe wristwatches with such dials are either in private collections or in the company’s museum in Geneva, and are rarely auctioned.
Sea Christie’s the hammer fell at $252,000, putting it within the estimated price range of $200,000 to $400,000.
3. Worn but unique Rolex
Rolex Military Submariner «MilSub» (Bild: Bonhams)
A Royal Navy Rolex watch used by a diver was for sale in June. Although the bezel is missing, the unique Rolex Military Submariner «MilSub» bring in between £80,000 and £120,000 for the current owner, a commercial diver, according to Bonhams. When the bidding ended, the timepiece eventually sold for £195,600.
The watches were commissioned by the Royal Navy in the 1970s and featured improvements that made them more robust than commercially available watches. The hands were replaced by so-called “sword hands” to make them easier to read. Another distinguishing feature is the “T” on the dial. It means the dial is illuminated with tritium, the radioactive isotope of hydrogen.
4. Watchmakers do private equity
Breitling movement (Image: Breitling)
Zug-based Partners Group has acquired a majority stake in Swiss luxury watch brand Breitling and is planning an IPO in 2027.
After building a minority stake in Breitling through its private markets funds in fall 2021, Partners Group now plans to acquire a majority stake of 50.3 percent in the luxury watchmaker. The financial investor CVC, which has held a stake in Breitling since 2017, would still hold 23.6 percent of the watch manufacturer after the change.
Another private equity partnership was formed by two Geneva-based family companies: exclusive watch manufacturer Patek Philippe took a stake in Salanitro, a company offering bespoke design services for watch cases, bracelets and dials.
The company of the same name was founded more than three decades ago by Pierre Salanitro (picture above) who still serves as President and CEO. According to the company’s website, the company offers services to more than 40 leading Swiss watch brands.
It all started when he passed a diamond workshop in Geneva. There he saw diamond setters at work and was so fascinated by the art of stone setting that he persuaded the workshop to hire him as an apprentice.
5. Baseball Cards
A 1952 baseball card of baseball player Mickey Mantle, purchased in 1991 for $50,000, went up for sale in August. The surcharge was according to «Forbes» at $12.5 million.
Returns on baseball cards have been so high that Valt, an alternative investment startup, is bundling collectibles for investors wanting to own stocks of Babe Ruth baseball cards. An index that maps baseball cards has risen by 1,000 percent since 2021 alone.
6. Queen Elizabeth and a rare coin of the kingdom
Silver £5 coin: Una and the lion (Image: Rapp)
The popularity of the recently deceased British Queen Elizabeth II. is also reflected in the numismatic world. The value of a fabled silver coin is set to set a record at an upcoming auction.
Collector coins with the portrait of the Queen have always been coveted, but this particular coin seems to be more than that. The fact that such a rare coin with the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was recently consigned to the Rapp auction house in Wil in the canton of St. Gallen has made a difference owner Marianne Rapp Ohmann particularly moved.
