Diving into the world of rare and precious watches is an experience that goes beyond the simple act of owning a beautiful piece; it is a journey through history, design and engineering. Guido Mondani, a name that echoes with authority and passion in the international watchmaking scene, takes us on this exclusive journey by talking about his personal collection that will be offered for sale during the single-issue auction The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection, which Phillips in collaboration with Bacs & Russo will organize in Geneva on May 11-12.
We caught up with Mondani during the Milan preview, and he shared with us not only the details of the event that watch enthusiasts eagerly await, but also some personal stories and emotions related to the most interesting pieces that will soon go under Aurel Bacs' hammer.
Putting aside my journalistic role and trying to put myself in the mindset of a passionate collector, a crucial question arises for me: why did you decide to let go of your entire collection? What drives you to part with these pieces that are so rich in history and personal significance, real trophies that, I imagine, you have earned with commitment and dedication over the years?
"It's true, I fought so hard to buy some pieces. The reality is that at seventy-nine years old, I would like to experience again the excitement I felt in 2006 when I sold my watch collection at auction: 309 watches that set a record for a watch auction."
What record?
"For the first time, during an auction, all the pieces offered were sold, none excluded. Some also with records."
Is there an anecdote you remember related to that sale?
"The preview exhibition was held in a renowned Milanese hotel, attracting the attention of numerous visitors, including the president of Rolex's Italian subsidiary. The latter, of course, was accompanied by his lawyer, who was in charge of making sure that all the models on display were in full working order. I still remember the excitement of seeing all my watches on display, all together, being observed and appraised by the people passing by. Past the auction, walking down Via Montenapoleone, I pass a distinguished gentleman I had never seen before who turns around and says, "Are you Mr. Mondani?" I nod, introduce myself, and he shows me full of pride the watch he was wearing on his wrist, exclaiming, "This is the watch I bought at your auction." For me it was a victory, a great satisfaction. Today, at the age of seventy-nine, I would like to be able to experience these emotions again, even if it means putting up for sale some pieces to which I am still strongly attached."
Enthusiasts normally sell their collections because they do not see in their offspring the same interest and passion regarding what they collect. In your case this is not the case, because your daughter Giorgia is well into the world of collectible hands. Isn't she taking away their heritage?
"In 2006, when I made my first sale, for which-incidentally-we had been working since 2004, my daughter was doing an internship at a Geneva auction house. She immediately expressed to us a firm conviction of hers, which was that they were not interested in watches. That was one more reason to push me to the sale."
Then what happened?
"Once she returned to Italy and joined the family business (Guido Mondani Editore), using a term dear to enthusiasts, 'the monkey went up' for collectible hands. She literally went crazy and started buying watches, asking me for advice but still independently."
Even without Dad's watches.
"Except those I gave him on special occasions: for the first tennis tournament he won as a young girl, he received as a gift a black dial Oyster with which he played regularly. Then for his 30th birthday a 1984 Sea-Dweller with the warranty dated the same day of his birth, a Millgauss, a Submariner "Smurf" for the birth of his daughter Mia, the Daytona in green dial gold and a Cartier Ballon Bleu, and more others that I can't remember at the moment."
There is more excitement in buying or selling watches.
(smiling) "Absolutely in buying." How did Aurel Bacs manage to persuade you to put your watches up for sale?
"I reached an agreement with Aurel Bacs on everything from reserve prices to catalog graphics, the latter being very important to me since I still remain a publisher. I have, however, set an absolute conditio sine qua non." What condition?
"That it was he and exclusively he who physically "beat" "all the pieces" in the auction." Did he agree?
"Not right away. He started saying Alexandre Ghotbi is really good, so is Tiffany To...then he went on to say 'I get tired.' I didn't flinch an inch and finally he gave in: Aurel will beat all the pieces in my collection. I couldn't do without what I consider the best, but more importantly the only one who can excite me."
Last two questions. Do you expect new records from the May auction?
"Yes, at least I hope so." The most beautiful piece for sale?
"Perhaps because it was a gift for my wife, I think particularly important is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6269, with diamond bezel and dial. Then my 1955 Rolex ref. 6036 Jean-Claude Killy Chronograph in rose gold: a virtually unused watch, it still has its original warranty. These are just two examples. Then the personalized Rolex on the case back for 100 years of Abate Jewelers in San Remo and many others..."
