Bonhams looks forward to its Fine Watches sale on June 16th. With outstanding Breguet, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Cartier lots this sale will attract collectors and appreciators from around the world.
Highlighting the sale are several Breguet lots. Breguet is one of the oldest surviving watch-making establishments and has pioneered numerous watch-making technologies. The most impressive lot is a gorgeous 1989 limited edition Souscription Set that pays homage to the Breguet brand’s founder, innovator and original designer Abraham-Louis Breguet. This set, Souscription No.41, is compendium of his innovations—a platinum wristwatch and a pocket watch—presented in a burl wood display case fitted with a fitted accessory drawer which house a magnifier, screw driver, setting pin and platinum watch chain (est. $150,000-200,000). A second souscription highlight is a simply elegant Breguet et fils, a gold montre pocket watch, dating from the early 19th century (est. $12,000-13,000). Souscription watches, a term that is still used today, were Breguet’s economical, high quality, limited quantity watches that were paid by subscribers in advance. Working with the same idea is a modern rare 1989 Breguet watch, an eighteen karat automatic limited edition jump hour wrist watch that provides a great example of Breguet’s timeless innovation (est. $8,000-12,000).
Also highlighting the sale are several Patek Philippe lots, one being a stainless steel, classically designed, Calatrava wristwatch that was given to the winner of the 1st Tour de Romandie, Desire Keteleer, in 1947. Special to this watch, is the inscription by Walt Disney, a sponsor for the race, on the back of the watch’s face (est. $12,000-15,000). The second Patek Philippe lot is a rare 5050 watch, with a retrograde perpetual calendar. This lot has the rarest configuration out of the 5050 design group with its platinum case and Roman numeral dial and is presented in its original sealed bag (est. $125,000-175,000). Also at auction is a vintage Patek Philippe that has survived completely unaltered, with original leather strap and eighteen karat signed gold buckle (est. $6,000-8,000).
There are several Cartier watches that come from various private owners and one stand out watch is a rare eighteen karat gold limited edition asymmetric Tank wristwatch (est. $3,000-5,000). The square face uniquely sits at an angle putting twelve in the top right corner. A jade, lapis, diamond and mother of pearl pendulette is another draw for the sale (est. $5,000-7,000). From the estate of Norma Shearer, one of the most famous stars in early Hollywood, this pendulette is carved from a jade boulder with a mother of pearl face and diamond hands.
There are some strong lots for the Asian market as well. One stand out lot is a Boyer à Genève mirror image pair of floral enameled eighteen karat gold pocket watches. With a gorgeously vibrant hand painted floral design these two delicate watches are unique since they still remain in their pair with their original enameled keys (est. $20,000-25,000).
