Bonhams is holding its keenly anticipated Fine Watches Sale tomorrow, June 15, at its Bond Street auction house with two ultra rare Patek Philippe timepieces from different eras headlining the event.
First is a spectacular complicated pocket watch, Reference 962, 18ct gold perpetual calendar pocket watch with moon phase, leap year and 24-hour indication.
No more than four pieces were produced and there has only been one other seen at auction before.
It goes to auction with an estimate of £80,000 to £120,000.
Second is a more recent Patek Philippe wrist watch, a reference 3422 from around 1960 designed by jeweller Gilbert Albert who was inspired by modernist sculptor Brancusi and the painter Mondrian.
The artists’ influence led to a rhomboid asymmetrical stepped case that stands out against the vast catalogue of Patek Philippe designs.
Only 18 yellow gold and five rose gold pieces were produced over four years. This example, estimate £40,000 to £60,000, is offered on behalf of the family of the original owner and so has never been seen at an auction before.
Also from Patek Philippe are an 18ct rose gold 2010 Nautilus, reference 5980R, the largest and one of the sportiest Nautilus models (estimate £100,000 – 150,000) and a 2012 Grand Complications retrograde perpetual calendar wristwatch, reference 5160, another limited production piece with officer’s style case (estimate £100,000 – 150,000).
Rolex at Bonhams
Leading the sale for Rolex is a circa 1971 ‘Paul Newman’ Cosmograph Daytona, reference 6265, with a rare grené dial which has a highly matt finish. It has an estimate of £280,000 – 320,000.
Other notable Rolexes in the sale include a selection of tool watches such as a circa 1975 Military Submariner, Ref: 5513/5517, a direct order for the British Military.
Issued in 1977, this particular watch was issued to a Navy diver and is offered by its second owner, also a diver. It has an estimate of £80,000 – 120,000.
Another Rolex with a military connection is a circa 1960 GMT Master ‘Pepsi’, estimate £40,000 – 60,000, offered from the family of the original owner, a highly-decorated airman who served in the RAF from 1944 and then later flew as a commercial pilot.
Aside from its impeccable provenance and a state of preservation rare with a watch that is worn constantly, the watch’s real rarity is its bezel, made with radium encased in blue and red tinted Bakelite, which was later withdrawn from sale at the recommendation of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Cartier classics
Cartier has been rising fast in value at auctions over the past two years and Bonhams has a number of rare watches including a circa 1915 Cartier Tortue, estimate £8,000 to £12,000; an early and rare lady’s platinum manual wind wristwatch which, despite being more than 100 years old, is a very wearable, elegant and contemporary looking piece. This watch was designed by Jacques Cartier in an era when most wristwatches resembled miniature pocket watches with a strap.
Cartier Tank à Guichets, Ref: 2817, Limited Edition No.061/100, Circa 2006, estimate £20,000 to £30,000 18ct rose gold manual wind jump hour wristwatch, one of a limited run of 100 Tank à Guichet. Produced as part of the Collection Privée Cartier Paris of 2006, reproducing historic designs from the Cartier archives, this model was inspired by the original Tank à Guichets, the very first Jump hour model produced by Cartier in 1928 – a rarity then and a museum piece now.
Best of the rest
“Some sales take on a life of their own and this one is no exception, offering a cluster of unusual, off the wall pieces from Cartier, Patek Philippe, Ulysse Nardin and even a modernist design by Alain Silberstein. These all sit beside some of the superb examples of collectors’ staples like the Rolex Paul Newman 6265 with a Grené dial or the more Modern Rolex Submariner 116610LV, AKA the Hulk,” says Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams Global Head of Watches.
The Bonhams Fine Watches Sale will take place online and as a live auction in Bonhams’ flagship London saleroom in New Bond Street on Wednesday 15 June 14:00 BST.
