Bonhams is developing a reputation for bringing interesting, rare, but comparatively affordable watches to its Knightsbridge auctions — online and in person in London.
This month’s sale is no exception,with a Grana field watch, one of the most sought-after members of the Dirty Dozen WWII timekeepers, crossing the block.
Collectors scour the planet trying to complete a set of Dirty Dozen watches, made for the military at the end of the Second War by 12 different manufacturers to the same field watch specification.
There are believed to have been between 1,000 and 5,000 of the steel, manually wound watches produced by Grana, the smallest of the commissioned watchmakers.
“We are thrilled to offer such a sought-after item as the ‘Dirty Dozen’ Grana in our Knightsbridge sale alongside an extraordinary selection of over 200 lots, reflecting our status as the number one market leader across the UK within the watch category,” says Penelope Andrews, Bonhams Head of Watches in London.
Other highlights at the Bonhams Knightsbridge auction include:
Rolex Day-Date 18K white gold automatic calendar watch, circa 2002.
The classic Day-Date watch features a sunburst silvered dial and is formerly the property of internationally celebrated stage director and theater impresario Sir Peter Hall, Director of the National Theatre in London (1973 to 1988) and founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The watch dates to around the time that Sir Peter became involved with the Rose Theatre Kingston and is offered with an estimate of £8,000- 12,000.
A Rolex Day-date 18K white gold diamond set automatic calendar bracelet watch, circa 1993. Featuring a sunburst blue dial and diamond set hour markers, the timepiece is offered with an estimate of £12,000-18,000.
A Tudor Oysterdate Monte Carlo, Circa 1972. The stainless steel 17 jewel, manual wind calendar chronograph wristwatch features a blue dial with matte grey accents contrasted with black and white hour block markers, white outer second divisions on blue with orange Arabic numeral 5-minute markers, magnified date aperture, subsidiary dials for seconds and 45-minute recording, black accented hands with luminous inserts encased in a brushed and polished tonneau case. Offered with an estimate of £10,000 – 15,000.
Rolex Day-Date 18K gold diamond set automatic calendar bracelet watch, circa 1978. Featuring a maroon vignette dial with diamond set hour markers, the watch is offered with an estimate of £10,000 – 15,000.
