The facts do add up, but no one can know for certain yet.
A Black PVD coated “A series” watch—said to once belong to German creative director and fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld—leads the Royal Oak sale of Phillips.
The auction house said it is ecstatic to offer the item (Ref 5402ST) that the fashion figure “most probably” wore.
Known for his work at Chanel and Fendi, Lagerfeld often sported black PVD Royal Oak models of different sizes. He would then gift these to friends and collaborators.
Matching history
The particular timepiece traces its history to an Italian purchase in early 1974. That was around the time Lagerfeld was living in the country.
It would return to the market in 1995 and then remained in the same collection for over two decades.
Moreover, period photos show Lagerfeld wearing a black PVD Ref 5402.
Based on the delivery location and amount of wear, Phillips’ watch specialists believe that the Royal Oak belonged to Lagerfeld.
Phillips estimates the value of the piece between 100,000 to 200,000 Swiss francs ($106,000 to $212,000).
Horological icon
Organizers curated it among 88 of the “finest, rarest, and best-preserved Royal Oak wristwatches known to exist” for the thematic sale. They dedicated it to the 50th anniversary of Audemars Piguet’s creation.
The event will take place at the Hôtel La Réserve in Geneva on May 6.
Phillips head of watches Alexandre Ghotbi said the sale provides a detailed look into the “horological icon.”
“We can see how, with one single reference the 5402 from 1972, Audemars Piguet created not only a genre but also a design language that it then immediately started developing, experimenting with sizes, complications, and metals,” Ghotbi explained.
Banner Photo via Phillip’s website
