NEW YORK — Two watch sales here in the coming week will feature many rare and vintage timepieces from such storied watchmakers as Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet, Richard Mille, and even luxury house Chanel.
Up first is Antiquorum’s Important Modern and Vintage Timepieces auction on December 11, where leading 343 collectible lots is an extraordinarily rare Patek Philippe Ref. 5207 Tourbillon Minute Repeater Perpetual Calendar, in platinum with a honey gold dial (est. $650,000-850,000). Sold in 2009, the timepiece features a one-minute tourbillon regulator, instantaneous perpetual calendar and moon phases.
Christie’s will hold its Important Watches sale on December 17, featuring a wide variety of more than 370 lots that run the gamut from vintage pocket and wrist watches to historically rare timepieces to contemporary creations by the leading independent brands and makers.
A thoroughly bejeweled piece by Chanel (est. $80,000 – $120,000) features automatic jeweled movement, two outer rings set with 84 baguette-cut diamonds and 12 baguette-cut rubies for hour numerals, a bezel set with 46 baguette-cut rubies, case sides and lugs set with 74 baguette-cut rubies, screw-down crown with cabochon ruby, case back secured by eight screws, 18k white gold Chanel link bracelet and double deployant clasp set with approximately 100 baguette-cut diamonds and approximately 360 baguette-cut rubies.
An interesting lot is a highly unusual and oversized MB&F piece in 18-karat white gold and titanium, with inverted movement, date ring, and Day/Night indicator (est. $40,000–60,000). The automatic movement also features two large ceramic bearings, 36 jewels, and a battle axe-shaped 22-karat pink gold rotor.
Also worth watching is a rare 18-karat gold Patek Philippe wristwatch with a cloisonné enamel dial depicting a tropical forest scene (pictured above). Manufactured in 1953 in Geneva and clad with 18 jewels, the outer edges of the enamel scene feature applied gold Roman numerals, while the outer minute track has Arabic numerals (est. $200,000–400,000).
