✨What do you really want for the holidays?✨

1. Rare Accessories and “Ephemera” are Highly Valued

Beyond standard wristwatches, the video highlights the collectability of Patek Philippe lifestyle objects and retailer tools:

• Backgammon Set: A rare item typically gifted by Patek Philippe boutiques to top clients. The host acquired a Macassar ebony and leather set with Calatrava branded dice on the secondary market.
• Retailer Service Kit: A large, comprehensive toolkit issued to retailers about 20 years ago. It functions as both a useful set of tools (screwdrivers, hammers) and a work of art. A smaller version recently sold for 40,000 dollars, suggesting this larger kit is of significant value.
• Jewellery: A white gold Ellipse ring and cufflink set is featured, noted as being much rarer than the yellow gold variations.

2. Significant Vintage Timepieces

The host showcases three distinct vintage watches, each representing a different aspect of collecting:

• The “Grail” (Ref. 2526): Identified as a “fresh to market” discovery from 1956, this time only watch is described as an “endgame watch.” Its rarity is driven by two factors: a dial signed by the Venezuelan retailer Serpico y Laino, and the presence of a scalloped bracelet by Gay Frères.
•  The Design Icon (Ref. 789): A 1962 pocket watch designed by Gilbert Albert. It features a bark finish inspired by a “skipping stone.” The host notes that prices for Gilbert Albert pieces are currently rising.
• The Complication (Ref. 3970): A third series perpetual calendar chronograph in platinum from 1994. The host highlights a “resurgence in prices” for the 3970 reference, suggesting values are climbing to new heights.

3. Interest in Specialized Clocks

The video features three distinct clocks, emphasizing their decorative and mechanical appeal:

• Solar Clock (Ref. 503.24): A 1960s mechanical clock wound by a photoelectric cell and micro motor. The host considers this “cutting edge technology” for its time and predicts future appreciation in value.
• Retailer Wall Clocks: A heavy World Time clock (based on the 5110 dial) and a jumbo Ellipse clock (signed by Italian retailer Astrua), both from the 1990s or early 2000s.

4. Modern Market Insight on the Nautilus

Regarding the modern “hype” watch, the Nautilus Reference 5711, the host presents a white dial version (the “Piano” dial) from 2015. A key takeaway for collectors is the assertion that white dials are significantly rarer than the more common blue or black versions, offering good market value at a price point under 100,000 dollars.

The video reinforces the message that collectors should prioritise the pieces that inspire genuine excitement and emotional connection. Whether rare accessories, historically significant vintage watches, specialised clocks, or modern icons like the Nautilus, the focus is on choosing items that truly resonate rather than settling for gifts that feel practical but uninspiring.