Bonhams held its Fine Watches auction yesterday with an attractive selection of vintage chronographs, dress, sport, and tool watches, and more.
Bonhams Head of Watches in America, Nate Borgelt, shared his favorite lots going under the hammer ahead of the auction.
Rolex Submariner
Lot 114: a Rolex, stainless-steel automatic calendar bracelet watch, single red Submariner, Ref: 1680, purchased 1975 (pictured top).
The Rolex Submariner is an icon of the watch world. The Reference 1680, which launched in the late 1960s, was the first of its kind with a date complication.
The present reference, which was in production for only a decade, elevated the Submariner from a strictly tool watch to a day-to-day accessory through its inclusion of the date and yellow gold colour.
Lot 114 presents a 1680 in excellent condition, with its original box and papers. Sold for $25,500 including buyer’s premium.
Patek Philippe Nautilus
Lot 39: Patek Philippe Nautilus. When the Nautilus was launched in the 1970s, it collided with the established, complicated elegance of Patek Philippe’s current catalogues.
However, the design, which was created by renowned watch auteur Gerald Genta, grew to be a fan favorite, as a watch that can be worn in any situation.
Offered with an estimate of US $40,000-50,000.
Vacheron Constantin Ref. 41789
Lot 65: Vacheron & Constantin. A fine and rare 18k rose gold manual wind chronograph wristwatch Ref: 4178, circa 1950.
Among the dress chronographs designed by the large Swiss firms in the mid-century, the Vacheron 4178 stands out as one of the most balanced and stylish of the period.
With the signature teardrop lugs and symmetrical dial, reference 4178 wears with great presence at a modest 36mm diameter. Sold for $31,875 including buyer’s premium.
Hermes Suspend d’Temps
Lot 105: A Hermes Suspend d’Temps platinum limited edition piece with diamond bezel, released in 2011, represents the maker’s entrance into the horological arena, with a complication that was unique and fitting for the brand.
The watch gained recognition at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneva in 2011, winning the award for best Men’s Watch. The present example is a platinum limited edition, adorned with stunning baguette diamonds.
Sold for $38,175 including buyer’s premium.
Rolex Explorer Ref. 6350
Lot 90: Rolex. A fine and rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch Explorer, Ref: 6350, circa1953. The Explorer is symbolic of Rolex’s brand identity as a classic design that moves with the times.
The present early Explorer reference 6350 comes from the original family and bears the signature honeycomb dial with luminous indexes that have aged to a warm pumpkin tone.
Lot 90 is an extremely rare reference presented in original condition, making it one of the must-haves for any tool watch collector.
Sold for $82,275 including buyer’s premium.
