an exceptional GIGN underwater watch put up for auction
From January 15 to 19, the Hermitage Hotel in Monaco is hosting an auction of prestigious products. Jewelry, collectible watches, designer handbags have been selected by experts. Among the lots, an extremely rare watch, specially created for the elite of the GIGN (on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the elite corps of the gendarmerie).
Auctions resume! For this beginning of the year, Monaco welcomes a new prestige sale. 800 objects are on offer, including 500 jewels, 74 Hermès bags and 200 watches.
Among these luxury items at sometimes dizzying prices, one lot stands out. An underwater watch from the GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group). A small event in the world of auctions according to Julie Lamarre, specialist in watchmaking at Artcurial.
“It’s very rare and highly prized by collectors. These are pieces that are difficult to estimate.”
On the catalog, we put a wide range between 40,000 and 80,000 euros. But it’s the kind of piece on which you can expect to have a very good surprise!
Julie Lamarre, watchmaking specialist at Artcurial
The Rolex is part of a production of 120 copies between 2013 and 2014, specially delivered for the GIGN. A professional watch, reserved for the elite of the GIGN to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the gendarmerie group.
” These are particularly rare watches, because in general they are designated to a person who undertakes not to put them on the market. This type of watch, you really have to have been part of the GIGN to acquire it. Moreover, often, the code name of the policeman is written on the back. »
This is the last series of military watches produced by Rolex. Pieces produced in dribs and drabs that very rarely appear on the market.
Last year, an Omega watch, produced for another elite unit, was put up for auction.
” The boss of the Raid wanted to sell his watch, number of a special series imagined in 2018 for this elite police unit. It was engraved with the number 1, and the sale was made for the benefit of an association: the orphans of the police. We estimated it at 10,000 euros, it was sold for 70,000 euros “.
Suspense therefore to know how much will be awarded that of the GIGN.