Next week’s Bonhams Fine Watches and Wristwatches auction will complete the sale of pieces from the Jan Willem Frederick Baron von Wassenaer collection.
The Dutch nobleman amassed a collection of almost 2000 watches, including an example from a brand beginning with every letter from the alphabet.
The top lot in the sale is a Patek Philippe 18ct white gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch, Ref:5160G-001, featuring moon phase, leap year indication and retrograde date. Its pre-sale estimate is £100,000-150,000.
From Rolex is an 18ct gold, green enamel and diamond set automatic calendar with diamond set bezel, gold baton hands and screw down Oyster back and crown (pictured at top of page). This lot is estimated at £30,000-50,000.
Another Rolex is a Double Red Sea Dweller previously owned by a professional diver, accompanied by a history of his career and dives taken whilst wearing the watch (estimate £12,000-18,000).
The same sale also features an Omega stainless steel military issue watch (estimate £20,000 – 30,000) which was designed for the British forces under strict MOD guidelines during the 1960s.
A piece of racing history is being offered in the form of the Heuer chrome plated Jacky Ickx Easy-Rider (estimate £2,000-£3,000), with its rare miniature racing helmet display box in which the visor opens to reveal a display stand for the watch – this example is signed by Ickx himself, the six-time winner of Le Mans 24 Hours.
Representing the letter V is an 18ct gold manual wind watch handmade by Voutilainen, with an estimate of £25,000-35,000.
“We are very pleased with this sale. There is a depth and breadth to the watches offered that is rarely found in a single auction. The variety of watches is always a pleasure to see once all displayed in the catalogue. These pieces have been sourced from all over the world, with many rare pieces that have never before been offered for sale,” said Jonathan Darracott, head of watches at Bonhams.
Bonhams Fine Watches & Wristwatches auction will be held at 101 New Bond Street on Wednesday 14 December.
