Antiquorum / Thematic Sales
Antiquorum Thematic Sales
Collection profile · 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.
Why it matters
This format matters because Antiquorum itself presents thematic sales as a major innovation: highly focused, scholarship-oriented auctions built around one subject, helping define the specialist watch-auction model and producing landmark catalogs that remain collectible references.
Key references
Collection timeline
- 1980 — Antiquorum says it pioneered the sale of wristwatches at auction in the early 1980s.
- 1989 — According to Antiquorum’s history, the first single-subject thematic auction was The Art of Patek Philippe, held in Patek Philippe’s 150th anniversary year.
- 1999 — Catalog records show The Art of Patek Philippe, Legendary Watches was staged in Geneva on November 14, demonstrating the continued life of the thematic-sales concept.
FAQ
What does Antiquorum mean by thematic sales?
They are specialist auctions focused on one maker, subject, or historical theme rather than a broad mixed-owner catalogue.
What is the best-known Antiquorum thematic sale?
Antiquorum’s own history identifies The Art of Patek Philippe in 1989 as the first thematic single-subject sale and the landmark example.
More from Antiquorum
- 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.