$4m Watch Could Break Christie's NY Record
May 21, 24
(IDEX Online) - Christie's New York is to auction its most expensive watch ever, a limited-edition Richard Mille that could fetch $4m.
The RM56-02 AO Tourbillon Sapphire, with its movement suspended inside a transparent case, is one of a limited edition of just 10, produced by the New York watchmaker in 2014. It will lead the Important Watches sales on 10 June.
"We are particularly enthusiastic about offering the Limited-Edition Richard Mille RM56-02 AO Tourbillon Sapphire, a remarkable achievement in both pioneering materials and micro-engineering," said Rebecca Ross, head of sale at Christie's New York.
The watch is made of grade-5 titanium, with the movement held in place by a 0.35mm cable ratcheted around a system of tiny pulleys.
Among other highlights of the auction are a rare stainless steel Rolex Daytona owned by late NASA astronaut Walter Cunningham (high estimate $450,000) and a Tiffany-customized gold Patek Philippe owned by US President Lyndon B. Johnson (high estimate $45,000).
Pic of the RM56-02 AO Tourbillon Sapphire courtesy Richard Mille.