There may be softness in the market for modern day waiting list watches from the likes of Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, but demand for vintage pieces, particularly from the 1960s and 70s appears to be a strong as ever.
Bonhams Knightsbridge Watches and Wristwatches sale, which takes place on Wednesday, February 22, is a treasure trove for models in this sweet spot, including a rare and early Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo around 1975 and an early Heuer Autavia chronograph wristwatch, reference 2446, dating from around 1960.
The Royal Oak, has been listed by its original owner, a bi-colour steel and gold reference 5402SA believed to be one of only around 2000 pieces produced.
It goes to auction with an estimate of £20,000-30,000.
The Autavia is a celebrated part of TAG Heuer’s history, bringing together the company’s connection to a golden era of motor racing and aviation.
Initially used for dashboard timers for cars and aircraft, the Autavia later made its way onto wristwatches.
The reference 2446 watch on offer at Bonhams is a stainless-steel piece housing a 17-jewel Valjoux manual wind movement. It has a black dial and polished baton hour markers, luminous minute markers and a white centre chronograph hand with screw down back.
Its pre-sale estimate is £10,000-15,000.
Other highlights of Wednesday’s Knightsbridge sale, which is also open for online bidding, include:
A Rolex Submariner ‘Kermit’, reference 16610, circa 2005. The stainless-steel automatic calendar bracelet watch has a black dial with luminous filled dot hour markers and a brushed and polished tonneau form case with a green calibrated bezel insert. Offered with an estimate of £8,000-12,000.
A Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea model, 43mm dial, circa 2019. The stainless steel automatic calendar bracelet watch first launched in 1967, and features a gas escape valve, allowing the helium trapped in the watch while decompressing to release while preserving the watch case’s water resistance. Offered with an estimate of £10,000-15,000.
An 18K gold Rolex Day-date automatic calendar bracelet watch, circa 1979. The timepiece has a black dial with gilt baton hour markers and a fitted 18K president link strap. Accompanied with a spare white dial with applied gilt Roman numerals. Offered with an estimate of £8,000-12,000.
A Patek Philippe Ellipse in 18K white gold, circa 1975. The timeless automatic calendar bracelet watch design features a sunburst blue dial with white gold baton hour markers and sigma dial. The Ellipse perfectly encapsulates the feeling and quality of Patek Philippe of the era with its fresh and innovative design on a conventional gold watch. The timepiece is offered with an estimate of £8,000-12,000.
An 18K gold Patek Philippe Aquanaut automatic calendar wristwatch, circa 1999. The water-resistant design features a sporty rubber strap, specially created by Patek for the Aquanaut. Offered with an estimate of £20,000-30,000.
