Record Year For Watches At Sotheby’s

Highest Annual Total in the Company’s History Auction Sales Top $109 million *Up 22% on 2018*

Driven by Record Prices, including for An Independent Watchmaker and An English Watch $4.6m for George Daniels’ Legendary “Space Traveller I”

Landmark “Masterworks of Time” Collection Generates Enthusiasm among International Collectors

2019 In Figures

A Record Year

• Auction sales achieved an unprecedented $108.7m – up 22% on 2018 (153% on 2010)

• 44% of the lots realised prices over their high estimate • Average lot value: $49,000 (up 10% on last year) • 7 timepieces sold over $1m (16 over $500,000) • Record for an English watch & an independent watchmaker: $4.6m for George Daniels’ Space Traveller I

• Record year for private sales • More Sales – New Experiences: Record number of lots sold: 3,369 lots (24% more than last year) Cars & Watches: Auction highlights are exhibited alongside RM Sotheby’s flagship sales around the world

An Ever-Expanding Globalized Market

• 100 countries across the globe participated in our watch sales (17% more than last year)

• Half of the buyers had never taken part in watch auctions at Sotheby’s before

The Continued Growth of Online Sales

• 56% of the lots sold online, four times more than five years ago • 80% of the bidders participated online • 65% of the buyers placed their winning bids online (up 20% over last year)

• The proportion spent online has more than tripled in the past five years. This year, it was up 22% over 2018

IW501099 Big Pilot watch – Worn by Bradley Cooper at the 91st Academy Awards

• Top Watch sold online set an auction record for a Millennium wristwatch by George Daniels: a Millennium in yellow gold from 2000 sold for US$ 289,800 in Hong Kong in April.

Lot 2300 – George Daniels, Millennium, Yellow Gold Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch With Date 036

• Online-only Sales have doubled in value since 2018. Many of these were driven by innovative thematic and partner sales. For example in February, an IWC Big Pilot’s watch that was worn by Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper while attending and performing at the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, sold for $75,000. Proceeds went to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation.

HIGHLIGHTS

MASTERWORKS OF TIME – History in the Making

Pocket watches stole the show this year, with “Masterworks of Time”, one of the most important collections of timepieces remaining in private hands, setting many landmarks. With two additional auctions scheduled in 2020, the first wave of auctions has already brought $15.8 million, thereby surpassing the low estimate for the entire 800-watch strong collection (est. $15-27m). Two of the highest prices of the year were achieved in London in July:

George Daniels, London, The Space Traveller I, 1982

World record for a timepiece by an independent watchmaker and an English watch: George Daniels’ legendary “Space Traveller I”, rocketed to a sky-high $4.6m – over 30 times the price set by the watch 31 years ago (pictured left and on p.1). Conceived to honour the astronauts that the great watchmaker so admired, this is one of the most technically accomplished watches of all time. For further information, a post-sale release is available here.

George Daniels, London, The Space Traveller I, 1982 [Front View]

Record for a 17th-Century Watch: A masterpiece of enamel, Jehan Cremsdorff’s extraordinary gold, enamel and diamond-set verge watch, realized $2.7 million. When this watch last appeared at auction in 1986, it took collectors by storm, soaring to CHF 1.8 million ($998,336) – then the highest price for any pocket watch ever sold at auction.

Jehan Cremsdorff – Gold Enamel and diamond-set verge watch 1650

Jehan Cremsdorff – Gold Enamel and diamond-set verge watch 1650 (front)

PRIDE OF PLACE FOR PATEK PHILIPPE

• A Reference 2499, first series made in 1951 realised US$ 1.5m

• A Skymoon Tourbillon Reference 5002 in pink gold, circa 2011 fetched US$ 1.4m

Lot 2356 – Patek Philippe, Reference 5002 Skymoon Tourbillon

• A Skymoon Tourbillon, reference 5002p-001 from 2006 fetched US$ 1.1m

Lot 184 – Patek Philippe reference 2497

• Record for a Reference 2497 in pink gold: a model from 1953 with a remarkable case by Emile Vichet achieved US$ 979,775

Lot 184 – Patek Philippe reference 2497

• Record for a Reference 5208: a reference 5208P-001 from circa 2014 made US$ 888,145

Lot 2328 – Patek Philippe Reference 5020

• Record for aReference 5020: a possibly unique platinum perpetual calendar chronograh made in 2008 achieved US$ 709,900

Nat Geo Channel Is Bringing Back the Best of Its 2019 Programming for You to Binge Over the Holidays.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Catch up on all your NGC favorites from the past year, including The Hot Zone, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Running Wild with Bear Grylls and more!

See why IndieWire named National Geographic one of the top five Best Television Platforms of 2019!

Don’t forget to plan movie night! Academy Award-winning documentary film Free Solo airs Dec. 26 at 9/8c.

Tune in for two full weeks of marathon programming beginning today.

That’s a wrap! National Geographic is saying goodbye to 2019 with some of your all-time favorite National Geographic Channel programs of the year. From the dangerously frigid Alaskan terrain to the 3,200-foot summit of El Capitan, explore breathtaking sights, heart-pounding adventure and groundbreaking science from wherever you’re spending the holidays. After a year of such amazing content, we won’t judge if you stay on the couch for the whole two weeks.

This year’s breadth of programming continued to break boundaries through thrilling exploration, risk-taking and transcendent storytelling. Highlights of the two-week blitz include the following:

• To kick things off, Nat Geo is exploring new life and old legends with Expedition Amelia: Bob Ballard’s Search (Dec. 23 at 8 p.m.), on the search for renowned aviator Amelia Earhart’s remains, and episodes of Lost Cities with Albert Lin (Dec. 23 at 9 and 10 p.m.), as the National Geographic Explorer uncovers the greatest mysteries of ancient cities from El Dorado, to Stonehenge, to Petra!
• You thought the cold weather was tough! Catch the animal kingdom’s most epic survival stories as Bear Grylls guides you through Hostile Planet (Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.), showcasing the world’s most extreme environments and the animals that have adapted to cruel evolutionary curveballs.
• The year 2019 was a milestone one for the multi-Emmy-winning series Life Below Zero (Dec. 25 at 9 a.m.) as it celebrated its 100th episode. Meet some of the toughest individuals in the world as they attempt to survive in the most unforgiving and remote corners of America. After watching all day, tune in to a new special episode on Dec. 25 at 9 p.m.
• Spend the holidays with some of Hollywood’s most beloved celebrities as they push physical and mental limitations on Running Wild with Bear Grylls (Dec. 26 at 9 a.m.). With guests including Brie Larson, Cara Delevingne, Armie Hammer, Channing Tatum, Bobby Bones and more, you won’t want to miss the chance to catch up on the boldest season yet.
• Grab some popcorn (and your seats!) — don’t miss the Academy Award-winning documentary film Free Solo (Dec. 26 at 9 p.m.), as climber Alex Honnold sets out to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the world’s most famous rock, 3,200-foot El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, without a rope.
• Looking for some not family-related drama? Tune in to Nat Geo’s most-watched scripted series yet, The Hot Zone (Dec. 28 at 5 p.m.). An edge-of-your-seat thriller inspired by Richard Preston’s international bestseller, The Hot Zone recounts the appearance of Ebola on U.S. soil in 1989 and the courageous heroine who put her life at risk to stop this deadly killer. These episodes will include never-before-seen enhancements with real archival footage, scientific interviews and more, diving into the true story behind this lethal outbreak.
• Forget your classic holiday libations! Gordon Ramsay serves up a taste of adventure in Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted (Dec. 29 at 9 a.m.) as he travels across the globe to learn about local flavors. His journey takes him to Peru’s Sacred Valley, Alaska’s panhandle, New Zealand’s rugged south, Morocco’s mountains, Hawaii’s Hana Coast and Laos’ Mekong River.

In addition to the marathons highlighted above, there’s even more. Don’t miss your chance to watch wildlife prosper in America’s National Parks (Dec. 24 at 5 p.m.) or explore the depths of the oceans with all kinds of sharks (When Sharks Attack beginning Dec. 30 at 9 a.m.) (yes, that rhyme was intentional). And better yet, see what’s in store for 2020 with a sneak peek of the reimagined Brain Games hosted by Keegan-Michael Key (Dec. 29 at 10 p.m.).

For more information on the two-week best of Nat Geo Channel marathon, visit www.natgeotv.com

The Fives Hotels & Residences in Riviera Maya Announces a Line-Up of Events to Celebrate the Holidays

Guests of all ages can spend the festive season immersed in the local Mexican culture at these five-star properties

As the holiday season quickly approaches, The Fives Hotels & Residences invites travelers to switch the snow for sand and celebrate with the Riviera Maya as a tropical paradise backdrop. Under its All Senses Inclusive concept, the brand will hold a series of authentic local experiences, sumptuous gastronomic offerings, live music and more for travelers looking to spend this holiday season abroad.

The Fives Hotels & Residences

At The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences, the night before Christmas will be a memorable evening with a series of traditional festivities for guests of all ages. The property’s main plaza will transform into a traditional Mexican posada, allowing visitors to experience the observance of a Mexican Holy Night. The family-friendly evening will be complete with piñatas, hot chocolate, churros, amongst other mouthwatering delicacies. On Christmas Eve, guests can also choose from 15 unique dining venues, while the favorite Flavors Restaurant will serve traditional holiday dishes to its international fare menu including roasted turkey, apple purée, cod, and pork.

To ring in the New Year, guests have several options as three luxurious five-course dinners will be held on-site at Sea Olive, Pizco and Mestizo restaurants. The sumptuous menu will include lobster bathed in champagne beurre blanc and spicy butter, lamb rack with scalloped potatoes & pea purée, and chestnut cheesecake with blackberry and Moet rose perfume.

To close the night, the five-star property will offer guests waiting for the clock to strike midnight a memorable New Year’s Eve show held at the main infinity pool from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Guests will be able to enjoy live music by a DJ, a traditional show playing tribute to local Mayan culture, fireworks, lucky grapes for each stroke of midnight, and more.

The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences, shielded between the lively city bustle and the breathtaking Caribbean coastline, will offer visitors an unforgettable holiday season with a scrumptious three-course Christmas dinner serving Mexican specialties such as tamales, pozole, and more. The dinner will be priced at approximately 49 US dollars per person.

The Fives Downtown will wait for the clock to strike midnight with a lively rooftop party presenting a five-star dinner, open bar, midnight fireworks, live DJ, grapes for the countdown and the best views of Playa del Carmen. The dinner and party will be priced at approximately 166 US dollars per person.

For families and friends seeking holiday fun in the sun, The Fives Beach offers the best meld of activities, cultural immersion, and relaxation with lavish accommodations in one, two, or three-bedroom residences-style suites for ultimate comfort. For more information and reservations, visit https://www.thefiveshotels.com.