Phillips watch auction #9:

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I know a lot of peoople here a not that fond of posting links to auctions but given this is one of the major houses I assume the 'under the radar' factor is close to zero so why not post the 2 UG's they are selling:


Lot 93: Aero compax - ref 224.114 - estimate USD 10-15k

https://www.phillips.com/detail/UNIVERSAL/CH080119/93

93_001.jpg

Lot 94: Exotic Nina - ref 885.107 - est. USD 12-18k

https://www.phillips.com/detail/UNIVERSAL/CH080119/94

94_001.jpg
 
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i think the exotic has been commented on before (at least on IG). . bezel looks to me like it is from the color scheme / aqua exotic. it should be blue like the subdials
 
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wow that's a big aero. The case looks really polished. The hands don't look right in the upper momento subdial. H/M hands looks relumed.
 
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i think the exotic has been commented on before (at least on IG). . bezel looks to me like it is from the color scheme / aqua exotic. it should be blue like the subdials
exact 😀
 
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wow that's a big aero. The case looks really polished. The hands don't look right in the upper momento subdial. H/M hands looks relumed.
My idea as well. Average quality and ambitious estimate
 
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My idea as well. Average quality and ambitious estimate

Agreed. These lots frustrate me - I know they can only sell what is offered to them from clients but when only 2 mediocre UG lots are put in a large auction from Phillips and (predictably) don't do well it perpetuates unwarranted comments that a brand is 'not valued anymore.' Same thing as with Heuer after the mediocre offerings from the Crown and Caliber sale and Heuer Parade.

I only own one watch from each of these brands (and I have no intention of selling either) so I am not saying that as someone 'sunk' into them and hurting. Also, the arguments that 'the market is the market' are both unsatisfying and incorrect as the market is dictated by opinions that stem from strings of sales like these.
 
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Truth be told......there are only a few brands that bring stellar results.....Rolex, Patek Philippe, vintage Breguets, and maybe some VC's and AP's. The other stuff is mostly run-of-the-mill as far as collector interest and investment value is concerned. UG's are a very niche brand, they made some nice stuff but so did a lot of other manufactures back in the day. Just not enough critical mass to see them powering forward.
 
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favorite of the lot is this exceptional all gold 6542

51_001.jpg

just perfection 🥰
 
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Agreed. These lots frustrate me - I know they can only sell what is offered to them from clients but when only 2 mediocre UG lots are put in a large auction from Phillips and (predictably) don't do well it perpetuates unwarranted comments that a brand is 'not valued anymore.' Same thing as with Heuer after the mediocre offerings from the Crown and Caliber sale and Heuer Parade.

I only own one watch from each of these brands (and I have no intention of selling either) so I am not saying that as someone 'sunk' into them and hurting. Also, the arguments that 'the market is the market' are both unsatisfying and incorrect as the market is dictated by opinions that stem from strings of sales like these.

Another way to look at it is; maybe the collectors who have good examples of UG, aren't selling them or putting them up for auction because they like the good pieces that much? That's how I see it.

I don't think UG is "softening" in a sense like how certain vintage Speedmasters are. My 2 cents

😁
 
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Another way to look at it is; maybe the collectors who have good examples of UG, aren't selling them or putting them up for auction because they like the good pieces that much? That's how I see it.

I don't think UG is "softening" in a sense like how certain vintage Speedmasters are. My 2 cents

😁

That is a more positive way to look at it and I agree, I just get annoyed as the auction results are too often used as evidence of softening. I hope people hang on to what they love or trade outside of the dealer lanes 😀 Cheers!
 
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At the sale last night, the Aero Compax sold for CHF 10,000 and the Exotic Nina for CHF 22,000.

The Rolex 6542 went for CHF 95,000
 
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At the sale last night, the Aero Compax sold for CHF 10,000 and the Exotic Nina for CHF 22,000.

The Rolex 6542 went for CHF 95,000
Is that with buyer’s premium or just the hammer?
 
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Another way to look at it is; maybe the collectors who have good examples of UG, aren't selling them or putting them up for auction because they like the good pieces that much? That's how I see it.

I don't think UG is "softening" in a sense like how certain vintage Speedmasters are. My 2 cents

😁

i think reality is a bit more nuanced than this.. for sure heuer is very weak right now (just look at the sales forums) but the truly good pieces and rare ones won't be sold now because of that perception. some autavias tripled in a short time and now are truly down 50% from the very short peak. . that said, a good seafarer hasn't come down at all from its highs.

eric wind was recently quoted saying auctions are not very hard to gauge prices from unless you have seen the watches in hand. . because the gap between polished/unpolished, all-original one-owner vs. question marks, and a++ condition vs. a- has never been wider. that makes it tough to really know what is going on unless you see all these lots live and who on earth can do that

the best rarest examples from UG and Heuer will always do great. . .agreed very good is for sale now that UG exotic compax was a joke
 
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i think reality is a bit more nuanced than this.. for sure heuer is very weak right now (just look at the sales forums) but the truly good pieces and rare ones won't be sold now because of that perception. some autavias tripled in a short time and now are truly down 50% from the very short peak. . that said, a good seafarer hasn't come down at all from its highs.

eric wind was recently quoted saying auctions are not very hard to gauge prices from unless you have seen the watches in hand. . because the gap between polished/unpolished, all-original one-owner vs. question marks, and a++ condition vs. a- has never been wider. that makes it tough to really know what is going on unless you see all these lots live and who on earth can do that

the best rarest examples from UG and Heuer will always do great. . .agreed very good is for sale now that UG exotic compax was a joke

meant to say auctions are NOW very hard to guage price trends from. ..
 
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When we will see a nice and good black dialed aerocompax for sale we can study results.
That Phillips Aerocompax had a not so nice - and rare - dial with a very polished case. Of course it's an oversized waterproof Aerocompax so it's not something you'll see everyday but it's not a pristine example of what UG did in the past.
To me, price is correct.
If it was a 35mm one it would be sold under 5K, IMO.
 
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meant to say auctions are NOW very hard to guage price trends from. ..
Especially Phillips ;-)
 
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favorite of the lot is this exceptional all gold 6542

51_001.jpg

just perfection 🥰


Incredible