Good news for collectors

Not only NO buyer’s commission but also NO VAT for The Davide Blei Vintage Rolex Collection

22 March 2009 – Milan

Recognized as probably the world’s most important watch expert, Osvaldo Patrizzi, founder and chairman of Patrizzi & Co, trained originally as a watchmaker and then, spotting the growing interest of watch aficionados in collecting and buying these miniature masterpieces, he formed his first auction house.

Patrizzi was the first to develop thematic auctions as he watched the growth in market interest in specialist complication watch brands such as Patek Philippe, Cartier, Rolex, Swatch, Vacheron Constantin, and Omega – to name but a few.

Today, with his new auction house, he offers even more benefits to watch collectors:

NO buyer’s commission: This represents the saving to buyers of between 20–25% of the hammer price, which most other major auction houses’ charge.
NO VAT: For purchasers of pieces from the Davide Blei Vintage Rolex Collection – NO Value Added Tax is applicable
Five-year guarantee of authenticity: This guarantee eliminates what is often perceived to be the “risk factor” in buying important pieces via the Internet and includes an accurate and very detailed description of the quality of the piece(s) being purchased.
A choice of catalogs: Clients have a choice of purchasing a special commemorative catalog or a digitally printed color catalog or downloading their own personalized version of the online catalog onto their computer or new generation e-Book.

The Davide Blei Vintage Rolex Collection

One of the finest collections of Rolex watches in the world

22 March 2009, Grand Hotel et de Milan, Milan

Davide Blei, a legend in the world of international media buying, is noted for collecting only the very best examples of Rolex which he believes is one of the most important watch brands in existence. “I chose Rolex for the beauty of their watches,” says Blei. “They have a wonderful way of putting color, metals, and tones together.”

Simply the best examples

Inevitably, Blei’s Collection will be compared with the Mondani Rolex Collection. Where Mondani’s collection was probably one of the most comprehensive collections ever made of Rolex watches, Blei’s collection is made up of probably the most exquisite examples of vintage Rolex that you are ever likely to see.

Blei’s collection includes exceptional examples of Rolex Paul Newmans and Jean-Claude Killys as well as some rare Stelline Ref 6062s, several of the famous Daytonas, and several unique mini collections, including important chronographs, and a collection of personalized watches - all with individual logos on the dial. Of the watches in the collection that are very much currently “in vogue” there are superb examples of the Submariner, the GMT, the Explorer, and the Sea Dweller.

Highlights of the sale:

The Davide Blei Vintage Rolex Collection
22 March 2009, Grand Hotel et de Milan, Milan

Lot 112: Ref 6062
Pink gold Rolex Super-Oyster “Stelline”, Perpetual Officially Certified Chronometer made in 1951.
Estimate: € 150,000 – 200,000

Lot 114: Ref 3525
Pink gold monochrome “Monoblocco” Rolex Oyster Chronograph Antimagnetic with pink dial made in 1940.
Estimate: € 70,000 – 90,000

Lot 65: Ref 6264
Stainless steel “Paul Newman”, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with white dial, black subdials and black bezel made in 1970.
Estimate: € 40,000 – 60,000

Lot 41: Ref 1680
Yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date “Submariner” 660 ft/200 m, Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified made in 1973.
Estimate: € 15,000 – 20,000

Davide Blei – collector extraordinaire

The auction will take place on 22 March 2009 at the Grand Hotel et de Milan, Milan.

World tour exhibitions:
21 – 23 November 2008, Catania Watch and Luxury Fair
25 – 27 November 2008, Asprey, New Bond Street London
4 – 6 December 2008, Patrizzi & Co, Geneva
5 – 7 March 2009, Patrizzi & Co, New York
18 – 21 March 2009, and 22 March in the morning, Patrizzi & Co, Milan

Davide Blei will be present at all these events and available for interviews (he’s a compulsive collector and very interesting to talk to on the subject of creating collections).