The inaugural New York auction by Hindman, titled “Time & Space: Watches from the Collection of Glen de Vries,” made an indelible mark on the luxury watch market, achieving a remarkable total of $3,017,511. With an impressive 95 percent of the 101 lots sold, the auction surpassed the initial low estimate, drawing in more than 800 bidders from 45 countries, a significant number of whom were new patrons of Hindman.
The sale, which took place at Hindman’s pop-up location in SoHo, combined with the afternoon’s various owner sale, raked in a cumulative total of $3,340,134. The event witnessed a dynamic interplay of bidding activity, with enthusiastic participation observed across various channels, including absentee, online, and live in-person bidding.
Gemma Sudlow, Hindman’s Managing Director for the New York Region, expressed her delight, stating, “It was an honor to kick off our first New York auction season with this exceptional collection. The passion for horology and innovation exhibited by Glen de Vries resonated strongly with our clients, resulting in an exhilarating auction. We are thrilled by the fervor displayed during our maiden New York auction and eagerly anticipate carrying this momentum through our upcoming sales next week.”
The highlight of the auction was the sale of a rare F.P. Journe, Platinum “Tourbillon Souverain Black Label,” which fetched an impressive $415,800, surpassing the initial estimate of $250,000 to $450,000. The timepiece, produced between 2006 and 2015, features a unique mechanism characteristic of F.P. Journe, highlighted by a transparent backing and distinguished gold dials, emblematic of the brand’s exquisite craftsmanship.
Reflecting on the collection, Reginald Brack, Hindman’s Senior Vice President and Director of Jewelry & Watches, praised de Vries’ discerning taste, stating, “The watches in the de Vries collection showcased the collector’s fascination with innovative timepieces from various independent and forward-thinking makers. This collection was truly one of the most remarkable assortments I have had the pleasure of handling. Mr. de Vries’ profound appreciation for the intricacies of watchmaking led him to acquire some of the most sophisticated complications, such as tourbillons, perpetual calendars, flyback chronographs, and other groundbreaking mechanical achievements. His avant-garde approach to collecting resonated profoundly with our clients, generating significant enthusiasm.”
