Watchatlas

Antiquorum

Geneva, Switzerland · Est. 1974

Founded by Osvaldo Patrizzi

Founded in Geneva in 1974, Antiquorum is one of the world's leading auction houses specialising in rare and vintage timepieces. It has sold some of the most valuable watches ever auctioned, including important Patek Philippe pocket watches and early Rolex references.

Founded
1974
Headquarters
Geneva, Switzerland
Group
Other
Price Segment
Mid
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces — Antiquorum’s core recurring auction series for collectible wristwatches, pocket watches, and related horological property, staged across major hubs including Geneva, Hong Kong, Monaco, and New York and used as the house’s flagship vehicle for mainstream catalog sales. Key references: Geneva, Hong Kong, Monaco, New York.
  • Thematic Sales (1989) — Antiquorum’s thematic-sales format groups auctions around a single maker, subject, or historical theme, with the company’s own history page identifying this as one of the house’s formative innovations for specialist collectors and scholarship-driven cataloging. Key references: The Art Of Patek Philippe, The Art of Patek Philippe, Legendary Watches, Single-subject thematic auction format.

Timeline

  • 1974 — Osvaldo Patrizzi founds Antiquorum in Geneva as the first auction house dedicated to fine timepieces.
  • 1989 — 'Art of Patek Philippe' auction establishes watches as serious collectibles and investment assets.
  • 1996 — Becomes the first auction house to sell watches over the internet.
  • 2002 — Sets world record: a 1939 Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 1415 sells for US$4,026,524 — more than double the previous record.
  • 2008 — Sells Albert Einstein's Longines wristwatch for US$596,000 in New York.
  • 2009 — Controversially auctions Mahatma Gandhi's Zenith pocket watch despite Indian government objections.

Frequently Asked Questions about Antiquorum

What is Antiquorum?
Founded in Geneva in 1974, Antiquorum is the world's leading auction house specialising exclusively in fine watches and horological objects.
Is Antiquorum a watch brand?
No. Antiquorum is an auction house, not a manufacturer. It sells rare, vintage, and important timepieces from all brands at auction.
What was the 'Art of Patek Philippe'?
A landmark 1989 auction that single-handedly established Patek Philippe as a collectible luxury asset class. It changed how the world values vintage watches.

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