Why This Wholly Unique Patek Philippe 'No Moon Phase' Watch Could Fetch $5 Million at Auction

On May 22, Christie's Hong Kong will auction a unique Patek Philippe Reference 3448J specially made for Alan Banbery, one of the most beloved and legendary figures in the firm's history Gifted to Banbery in 1975, on the occasion of his 10th anniversary with the brand, where he served as director of sales for English-speaking territories, the yellow gold wristwatch is prized for what it's missing: a moon phase Among vintage watch connoisseurs, owning Banbery's personal timepiece, which remained in his possession for almost 25 years, is akin to owning a piece of the storied Geneva watchmaker's history.

Banbery was instrumental in helping the Stern family-led by patriarch Henri Stern and his son, Philippe-acquire historic Patek Philippe watches and assemble a collection that resulted in the opening of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva in 2001 "The mere mention of the name 'Banbery' brings the unmistakable and instantly recognizable minimalist aesthetic of this unique reference 3448 immediately to mind," Alexandre Bigler, vice president and head of watches at Christie's Asia Pacific, said in a statement Introduced by Patek Philippe in 1962, the model was the first self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch.

Alan Banbery's "No Moon Phase" watch is engraved with his monogram on the caseback. . Source