For a serious watch collector vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches form the very top end of his or her collection. They naturally become the highlights of any watch auction and the resultant prices they fetch often become new records for most expensive watch sold in an auction. Their rare perpetual calendars, chronographs, and world-timers are the most sought after and receive bids of hundreds of thousands of dollars, and often into the $1,000,000 plus range. Normally you have to wait to see the famous watches like 1518, the first perpetual calendar chronograph, the 2499 which boasts of the most balanced case in the world, the neo-classic 3970, and the ultimate modern watch, the 5970. They appear regularly at auctions as all the major auction houses like Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Antiquorum, and Bonhams do their best to corner as many rare Pateks as possible. However they never succeed in putting up a comprehensive collection in one place.
A Pool of Patek Philippe Watches Here
There is great news for watch collectors and Patek Philippe lovers. Madison Fine Time, the world’s first independent Patek Philippe museum opened in New York recently. The man behind the initiative is a watch collector himself. Michael Safdie started thirty years ago in his family’s business of fine art and drifted into the field of watch collection. He became a passionate watch collector and was fascinated by Patek Philippe. Over three decades he has built what could be called the biggest and the most comprehensive collection of Patek Philippe watches both vintage and new. The collection has made Safdie a contended man and he wants to now share his happiness with the others by sharing his collection. The result has been the Madison Fine Time which he has opened in a former art gallery on 61st and Madison in the New York City. The collection at the museum features the rarest of the rare Pateks of yester years. You will simply not find so many valuable Patek Philippe watches in one place, in one collection. It’s something unique and a must see for all watch lovers and collectors.
Madison Fine Time Exhibition Only by Appointment
Madison Fine Time features the finest vintage pieces as Safdie is considered one of the most astute collectors. And like any other art gallery the pieces on display carry a price tag and are available for sale. This is an unprecedented opportunity for watch collectors to get access to such a vast collection of vintage and rare Patek Philippe watches. You even have the option of buying the ones that fit into your existing collection. The prices are fair market prices and not driven up by some frenetic bidding which is often the case in auctions. Even if you are not planning to buy anything at the moment, the collection and the display is worth watching. Madison Fine Time is located at 25 East 61st Street in New York City and you can visit only by appointment. The exhibits give you a clear picture of the horological history and a visit to the exhibition will give you a better understanding of the watch and the watch making in the last century. The serious watch collectors are sure to grab this opportunity with both hands and there will be a lot of buying from the watches on display. It is not clear yet as to how Safdie plans to replenish his collection once he starts selling.
Via: hodinkee
