The Sotheby’s Important Watches auction in New York and online next week includes rare contemporary wristwatches as well as historically important horological pieces such as a striking pair of Singing Bird Snuff Boxes from the 19th century.
Made in around 1820 by Swiss horologist Frères Rochat for the Chinese market, the consecutively numbered pair of four-colour gold and pearl singing bird snuff boxes have a pre-sale estimate of $300-500,000.
It is thought to be the only time a consecutively numbered pair has ever come to auction.
Other important pieces at the auction include:
A 2006 Richard Mille platinum tonneau form tourbillon split seconds chronograph wristwatch with power reserve and torque indication with a pre-sale estimate of $250-500,000
A 2001 white gold cushion-form perpetual calendar chronograph Patek Philippe wristwatch with moon-phases, registers and Breguet numerals, ref 5020g-013, with an estimate of $200-300,000.
A 1997 pink gold cushion-form perpetual calendar chronograph Patek Philippe wristwatch with moon-phases, registers and Breguet numerals, ref 5020, expected to sell for $200-300,000.
From Cartier comes a 1982 rock crystal, coral, onyx, mother of pearl, yellow gold and silver gilt, diamond and gem-set desk timepiece estimated at $200-300,000.
No auction would be complete without a couple of Rolex Daytonas, and Sotheby’s will not disappoint with this stainless steel ref 6241 from around 1970 that will likely exceed its pre-sale estimate of $90-130,000.
