Possibly Unique, Fresh-to-Market Philippe Dufour Duality with Two Dials to Lead Sale at $800,000-1,600,000

Live Auction on 8-9 June at 432 Park Avenue to Also Feature Important Timepieces by Patek Philippe, Rolex, F.P.Journe, and Hajime Asaoka

NEW YORK – 19 APRIL 2024 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is proud to release a selection of highlights from The New York Watch Auction: X, which will take place on 8-9 June. This flagship, live auction will feature an impressive selection of “best-of-the-best" rare and important timepieces, including a Philippe Dufour Duality that has never been seen by the public, a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special,” a stainless steel Patek Philippe Ref. 5004A, and a unique Hajime Asaoka’s Prototype Tourbillon PURA. Prior to the exhibition in New York, all of these timepieces will travel on an international tour to London, Singapore, Geneva, and Hong Kong with additional sale highlights travelling to Los Angeles and Canada.

Paul Boutros, Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas, and Isabella Proia, Head of Sale and International Specialist, said, “It is our pleasure to announce highlights from The New York Watch Auction: X, certainly the most diverse auction we have assembled in the seven years of Phillips hosting watch auctions in the Americas. Spanning wristwatches, pocket watches, and clocks from Swiss, British, German, and Japanese makers, this auction presents the very best that the category has to offer. We’re thrilled to present one of only nine Philippe Dufour Duality watches ever made. Fresh-to-market and the only example known with two dial and hand sets, the Duality’s launch in 1996 was a monumental achievement in wristwatch history as the world’s first wristwatch incorporating a double escapement. From Philippe Dufour’s Duality to an exquisite Patek Philippe Observatory Chronometer made for Henry Graves – the timepieces in this sale showcase the relentless pursuit of innovation that defines the fascinating, ever-evolvng horological landscape.”

PHILIPPE DUFOUR, Duality¸ An exceptionally rare, possibly unique, and fresh-to-market white gold wristwatch with double escapement, second lacquered dial and hand set, certificate of origin, and fitted presentation box, 1999
Estimate: $800,000-1,600,000
Introduced in 1996, Dufour’s Duality was the world’s first wristwatch with double escapement featuring two independent balance wheels incorporating a central differential gear, enabling extraordinary accuracy.

After having miniaturized a Grande & Petite Sonnerie movement to fit inside a wristwatch, Dufour tackled the challenge of shrinking a dual-escapement movement into a caliber that could be housed within a wristwatch. With great success, he managed to shrink the differential mechanism to the size of a matchstick head, allowing the movement to feature two large balances.

Dufour had planned on making 25 Duality timepieces in total. However, due to their complexity and the fact that the market at the time did not grasp the importance of the timepiece, he made only 9. Today, Dufour’s Duality is considered a monumental achievement in wristwatch history. So important was its launch that it would inspire François-Paul Journe to revisit his own dual-escapement design – the Resonance, which he first attempted years earlier within a pocket watch. Four years after the Duality’s introduction, Journe would introduce the world’s first Resonance wristwatch.

Fresh-to-the-market, the present Duality is extremely well-preserved and offered complete with its original boxes and guarantee. This example is also most probably unique – the only one in existence to feature a second, lacquered dial with Roman numerals and Breguet-stye hands. Phillips has been entrusted with the sale of two Duality wristwatches in the past, and this third example, unseen by the public until now, in 18K white gold, numbered 03, is an important addition to the scholarship of Philippe Dufour and of modern mechanical watchmaking.

ROLEX, Paul Newman John Player Special, An extremely rare, luxurious, and well-preserved yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, black “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial, and Rolex Atelier de Restauration guarantee and box, Circa 1970
Estimate $500,000 - 1,000,000
Of the approximately 14,000 early Rolex Daytona reference 6239s produced beginning in 1963 until 1969, only approximately 300 were cased in 18K yellow gold. And of those 300, only a handful were fitted with the luxurious black Paul Newman “John Player Special” dial. The present is just such an example, having been fully serviced by Rolex Geneva’s own Atelier de Restauration in 2021. It remains preserved in stunning condition, with a flawless dial and impressively proportioned case and bracelet.

While it is most common to see this dial fitted to the acrylic bezel reference 6241, it is even rarer to see it fitted to the metal bezel reference 6239. When paired with an ultra-luxurious 18K yellow gold Oyster bracelet, the effect is unparalleled. Fitted with the extremely coveted “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial, the combination is unquestionably striking.

Though serviced by Rolex, the service invoice included with the watch indicates explicit instructions not to restore the case, bracelet, or dial. Only the movement was serviced and the crystal replaced. Phillips is thrilled to present this reference 6239 with black Paul Newman “John Player Special” dial from the collection of an international connoisseur.