Toledano & Chan B/2, Circa 2025
With the B/1, Toledano & Chan created a new language which captured the imagination of lovers of 1970s vintage watches with angular lines. With the release of the B/2 prototype, created especially for AREA_51, they continue to develop new words and phrases in that language, but this time they’ve taken inspiration from fighter jets and more specifically the Lockheed Martin F-117 Stealth fighter.
Fitting perfectly into the sale’s theme, the F-117 was in fact developed at the Lockheed skunkworks facility, located in Area 51. The B/2 prototype features an entirely new case shape with almost no right angles, and a new asymmetrical crystal that scatters and reflects light. The case is sandblasted matte grey steel, and the dial is 24k gold plate (gold was used extensively in the F-117 for thermal shielding).
Patek Philippe Reference 4233:1, Circa 1973
The
Patek Philippe
reference 4233/1 is a beautiful illustration of Patek Philippe’s ability to produce delicately crafted timepieces with bold design style, especially during the 1970s. At that time the brand was renowned for its innovative and elaborate bracelet and case finishing. Stone and special dials are highly sought-after, and Patek Philippe only produced them in extremely low quantity in those years.
The watch is powered by a high-quality hand-wound movement, and the bracelet is beautifully decorated with oval pieces of lapis lazuli, malachite, turquoise and guilt ovals, which evoke the shape of the case, ensuring a stylistic continuity.
Audemars Piguet Starwheel, 1994
Originally devised in the 17th century, the whimsical complication featured in the Starwheel was created at the request of Pope Alexander VII, who sought a quieter alternative to his traditional bedroom clock. This led to the invention of the “wandering hours” display, where a rotating hour numeral moves across a minute scale before seamlessly transitioning to the next hour.
Captivated by the concept of a “watch with no hands,” Audemars Piguet introduced their own interpretation in 1991 with reference 25720. To modernize the design, they incorporated three rotating sapphire discs, each bearing four numerals, with the active digit aligning with the top scale to indicate the time. The unconventional layout, which displays all digital hours at once, creates a visually striking and conversation-starting aesthetic. Several brands have since integrated the complication into their designs, but the original Starwheel remains distinct, housed in a refined, classically proportioned case that exudes an understated yet avant-garde elegance.
Rolex “Starship Gold,” Circa 1980
This striking
Rolex
is a rare deviation from the brand’s traditional aesthetic, showcasing an avant-garde design that exudes bold luxury. Crafted entirely in yellow gold, the watch features an elongated oval dial seamlessly integrated into an organically textured case and bracelet. The intricate, scale-like engraving enhances its sculptural presence, making it as much a piece of jewelry as it is a timekeeping instrument. With its fluid, unconventional shape, the design takes on a futuristic, UFO-like effect. The minimalist dial emphasizes purity and sophistication.
A true statement piece, this Rolex bracelet watch embodies an era of daring design while upholding the prestige and craftsmanship for which the brand is known.
Furlan Marri Disco Volante, Circa 2025
Furlan Marri’s Disco Volante took you on a journey through time, reviving the Art Deco elegance and the 80s disco vibes. Now, with this iconic “flying saucer” design heading for uncharted territory, Furlan Marri has created a unique piece, especially for Area 51.
Introducing the Disco Tantale, a Disco Volante crafted from a meteorite dial and housed in a tantalum case – two materials notoriously challenging to master. Like a UFO on the wrist, this timepiece blends vintage roots with futuristic aesthetics. While it retains the sleek round case, concealed lugs and integrated crown that defined its predecessors, its cosmic materials and super-luminova details bring a new perspective on the Disco Volante series.
The heartbeat of the watch is the Caliber 7001 from Peseux, with a manually wound movement providing 42 hours of power and featuring meticulously redesigned bridges, with hand-finished, diamond-polished edges. The crown wheel and screws are black-polished, with careful chamfered around the stones. All the beveling works is done by hand in Geneva.
Ressence Type 3AM, Circa 2017
When launched in 2013, the Type 3 created a sensation as the first ever oil-filled mechanical watch. The Type 3 cancels out the distortion caused by the refraction of light, ensuring exceptional readability from any angle. To achieve this result, the upper chamber has been filled with 3.57 mL of oil, creating a magnified projection effect that gives the illusion of information displayed directly on the glass. The Type 3 also remains easy to read, regardless of the lighting conditions, thanks to the filling of engraved indications with Grade-A Super-LumiNova.
To compensate for the oil’s expansion or contraction under varying thermal conditions, Ressence has developed a Bellows System – graphically represented by a temperature gauge on the dial – which maintains even pressure and prevents any negative impact on performance. Ressence favors a less-is-more approach to design, with every design choice serving a function.
The present Ressence Type 3AM was specifically made for the American market in 2017.
Urwerk Reference 103.06, Circa 2007
Urwerk was founded in 1997 by watchmaker Felix Baumgartner who finds in the pop culture of his youth – sci-fi, comics and avant-garde design – a constant source of inspiration to bring an unconventional perspective to watchmaking. The UR-103 was the breakthrough model that cemented Urwerk’s reputation in haute horlogerie. It revolutionized time display with four 3- dimensional orbiting hour satellites – an engineering marvel that tackled challenges like friction and energy efficiency. With the UR-103.06, Urwerk elevated its iconic design into the realm of high jewelry featuring 277 white diamonds totaling 5.28 carats, meticulously set into the case, crown and dial.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept ‘CW1,’ Reference 25980AI, Circa 2002
In 2002,
Audemars Piguet
released “Concept.” a futuristic iteration of Gérald Genta’s original
Royal Oak
design, a step further than the Offshore. The present watch belongs to the very first “Concept” series of watches, limited to 150 pieces. Of special note, the watch is made with alacrite, a key material in the production of rockets – this is the only time such a material has been used in the manufacturing of a watch.
Rounded yet still angular, the case looks ultra-modern, while housed within the watch is the Calibre 2896, featuring a tourbillon with spring shaped bridge, supporting 50g, for added shock resistance – as well as dynamograph, which regulates torque. In addition to this, the entire movement is suspended.
Patek Philippe Reference 4117/1G, Retailed by Asprey, Circa 1973
The Patek Philippe Butterfly, retailed by Asprey, Reference 4117/1G, is a captivating fusion of horological craftsmanship and natural beauty. The extreme rarity of this model cannot be overstated. While the reference 4117 is already a seldom-seen model, it is distinguished by its extraordinary dial – adorned with meticulously preserved wings from the Morpho Menelaus butterfly. The iridescent blue hues and intricate natural patterns ensure that no two dials are alike, making each piece entirely unique.
Further enhancing its desirability, this timepiece is signed by Asprey, the prestigious British luxury retailer known for its association with some of the world’s most exceptional watches. It’s been nearly 20 years since the last Butterfly retailed by Asprey has appeared at auction.
Gérald Genta Reference G.4036, Circa 1990
While the market has an ongoing fondness for the watches
Gérald Genta
designed for other maisons, the watches he created under his own name have been gaining the attention of collectors once again. Many are highly complicated, custom-designed timepieces for the world’s richest and most powerful individuals, including heads of state and royalty.
Out of the 100,000 watches Genta designed throughout his lifetime, this particular timepiece stands out with its unique characteristics. This exceptional piece is an incredibly rare, white-gold wristwatch set with diamonds, and it showcases a wealth of impressive complications. It boasts a minute-repeating perpetual calendar with a leap-year indicator. The mother-of-pearl dial features a captivating blue hue, elegantly enhanced with diamond accents.
C oinciding with Watches & Wonders, the horology industry’s signature trade show in Geneva, Sotheby’s is reuniting with creative watch collective heist-out for their second collaboration: AREA_51, an exhibition and live auction of alien wristwear.
The new collaboration is the hotly anticipated follow up to last year’s Rough Diamonds, the groundbreaking activation celebrating the vintage watch market’s most unconventional references. Launched last April, the unorthodox Rough Diamonds exhibition – housed deep inside a Geneva wine cave and featuring rock formations as displays – was followed by a thrilling live underground auction that saw all 24 lots on offer sell out in less than an hour, the majority far above their high estimates. This was a triumph for adventurous vintage watches created by visionary designers, including Gilbert Albert, Charles de Temple and Jacqueline Dimier, whose names have somewhat faded into horological history.
With AREA_51, Sotheby’s and Heist-Out are rocketing the Rough Diamonds concept into outer space with a UFO-themed wristwatch exhibition beginning on April 1, followed by an evening reception on April 2 and culminating in the live auction on April 3.
The three-day event will be hosted at the site of what appears to be a crash-landed UFO in the heart of Geneva. The AREA_51 location – La Salle Trocmé – will offer visitors a fully immersive experience, transforming the exhibition area (which will showcase all 51 lots) and the auction saleroom into a top-secret alien research station.
Flip through the slideshow above to see 10 initial highlights, and stay tuned for the declassification of all 51 lots.