Patek philippe e1498130458367

£161,000 Patek Philippe grand complication tops Bonhams fine watch auction

A Patek Philippe manual wind split second chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phase in platinum was the star lot at this week’s Bonhams sale of Fine Watches and Wristwatches auction, with a hammer price of £161,000.

The watch contributed to total sales of £1,744,125 and a sell through rate of 75%.

Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams global head of watches, commented: “We were thrilled to see the Patek Philippe achieving such a considerable sum, which just goes to prove the continued growth in demand for fine, rare examples from the very best watchmakers. The auction attracted competitive international bidding which reflected the huge variety and strength of the sale.”

The second most valuable lot of the day was from Blancpain. A unique and exceptionally fine platinum tourbillon minute repeating perpetual calendar split second chronograph wristwatch with moonphase and power reserve Le Brassus Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater sold for £125,000 to an international internet bidder.

Pieces from Rolex performed well throughout the sale, with 50% of the top ten lots sold coming from the Swiss manufacturer. Of particular note was a fine and rare stainless steel manual wind chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ by Rolex which achieved £81,250.

Other Rolex sales included:

  • An 18ct gold manual wind chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph sold in the room for £51,250
  • A 14ct gold manual wind chronograph bracelet wristwatch achieved £50,000
  • An 18ct gold automatic chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph sold for £50,000
  • An 18ct gold manual wind chronograph wristwatch Pre-Daytona sold to a telephone bidder for £47,500
  • A stainless steel manual wind chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph achieved £35,000.

The sale included several early pieces by Abraham Louis Breguet, arguably the best known Horologist of his time. The most significant was a platinum manual wind tourbillon wristwatch with power reserve and diurnal indication which sold for £40,000.

A silver and gold quarter repeating full hunter pocket watch with lever escapements, circa 1820, achieved £36,500.

Other highlights included:

  • An early Cartier lady’s white gold, diamond and seed pearl set manual wind bracelet watch achieved more than five times its pre-sale estimate, selling for £21,250
  • An 18ct gold Rolex automatic calendar bracelet watch with dual time zone and ‘root beer’ bezel more than doubled its estimate, achieving £16,250.

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