Sotheby’s New York Fine Watches auctions will include a collection being sold by Alan “Hammer” Bloore.
Mr Bloore is a watch collector whose hobby became a significant part of his life after a boating accident left him paralysed from the armpits down in the early 2000s.
He says he faced dark days during his recovery but credits his passion for watches and the ‘Paneristi’ Panerai community for saving his life.
“When I hold these watches, the last thing I think about is what time it is, but rather the stories they tell,” Mr Bloore describes.
“Without my love of watches, I don’t know where I would find passion – it’s made me who I am, it’s taken me all around the world and brought me friendships that have changed my life profoundly and completely. Every watch in this collection has a story, and hopefully through this sale with Sotheby’s, my watches land on the wrists of people who will look after them for their next generation.”
Sotheby’s is selling 60 watches including numerous Panerai serial no. 1 limited editions, as well as important military issued watches spanning 50 years of history.
Highlights of the Alan Bloore collection
World War II era Panerai 3646 (est. $50,000 to $100,000).
1950s Royal Australian Navy ‘Big Crown’ Rolex Submariner (est. $160,000 to $320,000).
Rolex COMEX used in the salvage of the famous HMS Edinburgh shipwreck (est. $50,000 to $100,000).
Panerai reference 5218-201/A Luminor Logo ‘Pre-Vendome’ stainless steel wristwatch, Circa 1993. Est. $15,000 to $30,000.
The Important Watches sale will take place on 7 December, and the Fine Watches online auction opened for bidding on November 29 and ends on December 12.
