A record was set last night in Geneva when the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711/1500A “Children Action” sold for CHF6.7 million, equivalent to US$7.56 million. The result surpasses the US$6.5 million for the Nautilus ref. 5711/1A-018 “Tiffany & Co.” that was set in 2021, the very peak of the integrated-bracelet-sports-watch craze.
The fad for such sports watches has since petered out, but anything Patek Philippe that’s unique clearly remains highly desirable. The record price is arguably less about the watch being a Nautilus than it is a one-off, fully-engraved Patek Philippe.
This year’s auction once again took place during the charity’s dinner event in an auction conducted by Aurel Bacs of Phillips. Both room and phone bidders competing for the Nautilus that is entirely engraved with a “Maori-inspired” theme on its case and bracelet, with only the polished centre links of the bracelet left unadorned.
The Geneva watchmaker has long supported Children Action, which aids disadvantaged children around the world. The organisation was founded by Bernard Sabrier, a well-connected private banker in Geneva.
The ref. 5270T-010 of 2022
Over the years, Patek Philippe has contributed one-of-a-kind watches that sell at the organisation’s annual gala dinner, raising tens of millions for the charity. Past Children Action watches have included the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524T in titanium that sold for CHF2.3 million in 2018. And two years ago, the ref. 5270T-010, also in titanium and with a metallic green dial, sold for CHF9.7 million.
Christopher Ward just released the C1 Bel Canto Classic, a new version of its best-selling hourstriker in four colours: silver, blue, green and gold. The Bel Canto Classic retains the familiar design of the original, but gains updated dial aesthetics with laser-etched guilloché, Roman numerals, and a domed “glassbox” sapphire crystal.
Initial thoughts
A hit at launch thanks to its affordability – and a well-timed debut while pandemic-induced demand was strong – the Bel Canto is now Christopher Ward’s best known model. The reason behind its success is obvious — the striking hour complication is rare and even rarer at an affordable price.
Because of the price, the Bel Canto is executed simply and functionally. The base movement is an inexpensive Sellita SW200-1, while the striking module is clever and fairly basic in construction. But the module has been smartly constructed to expose much of the strikework, giving the watch a complex appearance. The hammer and wire gong visible above the dial plate, along with the main operating lever and a column wheel selector.
The Bel Canto Classic is essentially an evolution of the original model, with the dial updates giving it a slightly more classical appearance. Priced at US$4,540 on a titanium bracelet, the Bel Canto Classic remains a good value proposition, like the original.
Affordable chimes on the hour
The Bel Canto Classic retains the same proportions, with the titanium case measuring 41 mm in diameter and 13.2 mm in thickness. The case features gently curved lugs and is satin-brushed with polished bevels on its edges, with the same finishing for the crown and pusher. It’s fitted with a highly domed “glassbox” crystal that helps accommodate the height of the striking module under the dial.
The most prominent update to the new Bel Canto is laser-etched guilloché dial. Like the original, it sports a raised chapter ring for the hour and minutes, but here with Roman numerals and dot minute markers. The dial is available in four colours, with hands in colours to match.
The on/off indicator for the hour striker mechanism takes the form of a pointer at four o’clock. The pointer is red on the blue and green dials, while on the silver and gold dials, the indictor matches the hands.
Most of the dial, however, is occupied by the exposed chiming mechanism, which is bevelled by hand according to Christopher Ward.
The construction of the strikework keeps the components simple and minimal, with some parts performing more than one function. The main level assembly works mainly with the cannon pinion of the hands in order to slowly raise and then drop the hammer each passing hour. It also engages with the column wheel, which can either silence or activate the hammer strikes.
The main lever also has integrated blade springs to dampen the inevitable impact with the banking screw and pin when the hammer strikes the gong. When that happens, the main lever collides with the banking screw. On the other hand, when the complication is silenced, the lever rests against a banking pin. The blade springs assure the component doesn’t suffer from any deformations due to repeated striking over time. This engineered robustness is notable, especially given the price point.
Underneath the dial is a no-frills Sellita SW200-1. The movement offers 38 hours of power reserve and beats at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz).
Key facts and price
Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto Classic Ref. C01-41APT3-T00A0-B0
Diameter: 41 mm Height: 13.2 mm Material: Titanium Crystal: Sapphire Water resistance: 30 m
Movement:Sellita SW200-1 with FS01 module Functions: Hours, minutes, and hour-striker function Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz) Winding: Automatic Power reserve: 38 hours
Strap: Seta leather strap with folding clasp or titanium bracelet
Limited edition: No Availability: Now at Christopher Ward online store or retailers Price: US$4,225 on the leather strap; US$4,540 on the bracelet
