Leilão comemorativo dos 150 anos da TAG Heuer

A Bonhams, uma das mais antigas e mais importantes leiloeiras de arte e antiguidades, apresentou por estes dias em Londres a colecção Arno Haslinger de peças raras Heuer.

Num leilão que decorreu nas suas instalações de New Bond Street, várias peças atingiram preços acima do previsto. O relógio que atingiu o valor mais elevado foi um exemplar extremamente raro, de 1974, um modelo Monaco revestido a PVD negro - 48 mil libras foi a licitação vencedora (para uma estimativa de 10 a 15 mil libras). Outras peças se destacaram - 30 mil libras por um Autavia de 1969, ou 22.800 libras por um Carrera em ouro, de 1972.

O Autavia de 1969

O Carrera em ouro, de 1972

O Monaco revestido a PVD negro, de 1974

O Silverstone Jack Heuer, exemplar único

O comunicado da TAG Heuer:

Bonhams, one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques, presented and auctioned the Arno Haslinger Collection of rare Heuer timepieces on Wednesday 15th December 2011 in its New Bond Street salesroom in London.

Several timepieces sold for much more than expected. The timepiece which achieved the highest selling price was an extremely rare 1974 Monaco with black PVD coated case, which sold for £48,000 (estimate: £10,000-£15,000). Other top pieces included £30,000 for a 1969 Autavia (estimate £10,000-£15,000) and £22,800 for a 1972 Carrera in 18ct gold (estimate £7,000-£9,000).

The sale, which helped raise funds for Green Cross International, was part of TAG Heuer’s 150th Anniversary celebrations. A special photo session was held on December 13th, followed by a private cocktail for collectors, journalists and special guests on December 14th.

The collection of 81 watches included many of TAG Heuer’s most iconic models, including rare editions of the Silverstone, Autavia, Carrera, Daytona and Monaco. TAG Heuer purchased several pieces that were missing from its own collection, including an extremely rare "Chronomatic" Carrera, which will go on display at the TAG Heuer Museum in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

The Swiss watchmaker also created a unique red, Jack Heuer, Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph especially for the auction. Estimated at £5,000-£7,000, which sold for £10,000. The dial on the special piece is inscribed with the signature of Jack Heuer, the Honorary Chairman of TAG Heuer and the man responsible for the original Silverstone design of 1974. All proceeds from the Silverstone Calibre 11 Chronograph sale were donated to Green Cross International — an organisation closely supported by TAG Heuer through their brand ambassador Leonardo DiCaprio. The charity was founded in 1993 under the initiative of Mikhail Gorbachev to help ensure a sustainable and secure future.

TAG Heuer’s long association with motorsports — it celebrates “15O Years of Motor Racing” in 2011 — was strongly evident in the collection. Many of the models were worn by TAG Heuer-endorsed racing drivers such as Jo Siffert, Clay Regazzoni, Jim Clark and Jacky Ickx. Highlights included a Viceroy Autavia issued by the Israel Defence Force; a ‘Jo Siffert’ white dial Autavia; vintage ‘Steve McQueen’ Monacos like those seen in the classic film Le Mans; and Indy 500 Carreras.