At Christies just sold for only 9k? Am I missing something here? I was expecting multiple(s) of that....

 

It sold for less than the gold uni-compax in the same sale, which had a significantly lower estimate.
Perhaps everyone did what I did, which was to assume that the price would be stratospheric and not bid?
I didn't even consider it seriously. Was there something in the condition report that deterred bidders?

 

Not that I am aware of. I didn't register for the same reason as you. Could also be the placement as Lot 1, with some coming late and others saving for later pieces. But wow - winner is doing backflips.

 

Even if absentee bidders thought it would not be within reach, have to question why those in the room held back?

 

Very surprised there was no reserve if top notch.

 

http://www.timepiecechronicle.com/f...d-demon-the-universal-geneve-evil-nina-compax

 

Among others, this result surprised me. There were quite a few attractive lots that were passed on early in the auction, and I expected strong results for the Evil Nina, Zenith A386, Autavia 3646, Autavia 2446C GMT, and 6238 Pre-Daytona right out of the gate. All struggled. Somewhat hard to explain.

More specifically, to the Evil Nina - the condition was rough. Not in the top-half of examples that I've seen, so I expected it to end at roughly $13-14K before premium (placing it in the high teen's). The previous owner apparently found it in a thrift shop for $2.49, which could explain why there wasn't a reserve on it...the guy was playing with house money anyways. Still, a very tepid result for UG in a second consecutive auction.

 

Maybe Hodinkee hasn't been writing about them "enough" lately....?

 

*weeps* I never found deals like that. Still not as good as the $5.99 JLC here in Phoenix, but pretty good none the less.

 

i didn't watch the a386, but it had some issues -- otherwise i would have bid on it for fun. i assume it had a reserve hence the pass?
I think a little reality is setting in. people are being more selective (as they should be).

 

Yeah, there were six passes in the first 20 lots, which is a pretty terrible ratio. Guessing it had to do with reserves that were fairly high (I wasn't following along live so don't know how high the actual bidding went).

I know nothing about A386s (other than admiring them from a distance), but just assumed that it would be coveted by someone.

 

that A386 had several things wrong: wrong tachymetre scale insert, wrong crown, all hands probably replacements, no mention of the serial number (which is very strange...). That is probably why it did not do well, also if the reserve price was the lower estimate, by the time the premium is taken into account it would have alreaday been 12.5k+ .... not really a bargain, especially for a watch with so many problems.
I think the market us just becoming more aware and picky, that's all. I believe the right all-perfect A386 would sell for very good money.
I also think that if the market is maturing and becoming more picky is only a good thing

 

I think that's a really good point, and it's been my chief contention to the "OMG THERE'S A BUBBLE ALL OF THESE WATCHES WILL BE WORTH PEANUTS NEXT YEAR" crowd. I think people are starting to realize that unless the condition warrants a high price, it's better to save the money and wait for a superior example to eventually come along. The gap between a "Good" example and "Collector" example is not linear, so it's completely conceivable to see a "Good" example sell for $11K in a Christie's auction, while a "Collector" grade is still worth $20K or will even continue to increase due to scarcity - not only of the reference, but of excellent examples of the reference.

There will always be a market for quality.

 

Yeah. The bubble has not ended.

$13750. No - I did not misplace a 0.

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...3228&sid=4a55a5f7-086c-4d42-ab9a-4cea2d562d6a

 

Good grief. My uni is as nice as this. Didn't pay close to that last March in OF
private sale.

 

Saw this, it does puzzle me indeed as well. Perhaps it was incredibly mint? Perhaps the rare 2-tones dial? Not sure, but considering it was gold and relatively small at 34.50mm (i.e. both things not currently a favorite by the market) I'm a little surprised....

 

I do feel that there are very few reputable auctions out there and shill bidding as well as artificially raising prices is
rife. Seems the powers above have latched on and are squeezing honest collectors out of every penny they can. Just look at the the Heuer 2446M abomination on Auctionata and the 3646 at the same auction that fetched Euro 60K and Euro 40K respectively ...

It is a disgrace !

 

The market regained a small degree of sanity and we couldn't believe it?!