Bonhams prestigious Fine Watches Sale takes place tomorrow, December 15, with 73 exceptional timepieces going under the hammer at its Bond Street headquarters.
An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with a mother of pearl dial is being billed as the star of the sale.
The Royal Oak Automatic Perpetual Calendar, reference 25686PT from around 1992 (pictured top), is one of 233 produced and one of only 26 executed in platinum. The watch goes to auction with a pre-sale estimate of £120,000 to £180,000.
There are 44 Rolex watches in the auction, including a 1967 Paul Newman Cosmograph Daytona, ref 6239, with an estimate of £90,000 to £120,000.
A 1974 Rolex Datejust, ref 1601, with lapis lazuli dial has an estimate of £30,000 to £40,000.
One of the rarest Rolex watches is a GMT Master, ref 16750, commissioned specifically for the Omani police force.
Bonhams’ circa 1983 example is one of the most exclusive of the famous ‘Khanjar’ timepieces produced especially by Rolex for the Sultan of Oman during the 1970s and 1980s.
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said, a known watch connoisseur, would gift the Khanjar watches, featuring the Omani state symbol of the traditional ceremonial dagger on their dials, to a select few ambassadors, dignitaries and staff for loyal service.
The watch at auction has a black dial carrying the Omani police emblem of Khanjar curved daggers set beneath a crown and within a wreath. It is presented in excellent condition and has an estimate of £70,000 to £100,000.
Other Rolexes on offer include a circa 2013 Explorer 214270, customised by Pro-Hunter with a cloisonné enamel world map dial, depicting Eurasia, Africa and Australasia, estimate £60,000 – 80,000.
There is also a 1956 Submariner Red Depth, Reference 6536/1, estimate £60,000 – 80,000, one of the earlier pre-crown guard Submariners as worn by Sean Connery playing the cinematic James Bond in Dr. No and Goldfinger; and one of the most sought-after tool watches.
Cartier has become increasingly sought-after by collectors in recent months and the Fine Watches Sale has a brace of fine vintage examples.
First is a rare platinum circa 1930 Grand Tank Cintrée (estimate £40,000 – 60,000), an extreme example of the Cartier Tank, considered outlandish at the time due to its long rectangular shape and curved back case. Consequently, just a small quantity was produced but it remains one of the best-known designs from the founding years of wristwatch making.
Its pair is a lady’s platinum and diamond cocktail watch from the same era. The circa 1930 timepiece is also rectangular, adorned with diamond set bezel and lugs, baguette cut diamonds on the quarters and a cabochon diamond set crown. It has an estimate of £10,000-15,000.
Finally, a rare and original 1976 example of the Omega Speedmaster Apollo Soyuz wristwatch, produced for the Italian market, is offered with an estimate of £25,000 – 30,000.
The limited-edition timepiece celebrated the Apollo Soyuz space mission, featuring the mission badge on its dial and a special embossed case back depicting the Saturn Rocket on a map of the world. Very few of these original pieces were created and they have been celebrated ever since with anniversary editions being produced at 20, 25 and 30 years.
This example, number 159, was purchased new in 1980 and was inherited by the present owner who left it unused in a draw for many years and only sporadically wearing it. For this reason, the dial is in excellent condition with virtually no UV damage.
The Bonhams Fine Watches Sale takes place from 2pm GMT on Wednesday 15 December online and at the flagship New Bond Street, London, saleroom.
