MODERN AND VINTAGE POCKET WATCHES BY PATEK PHILIPPE

The Important Watches sale is headlined by two important pocket watches by Patek Philippe: one modern and the other vintage. A Unique and Extraordinary Massive Open-Faced Grande and Petite Sonnerie Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Split-Second Chronograph Clock Watch is one of the most important time pieces created by Patek Philippe. Harking back to the famed Henry Graves, Jr. Supercomplication from 1932, the piece features 12 complications, which required nearly five years of detailed work to see it through from inception to completion.  A symbol of Patek Philippe’s technical mastery and eye for beauty, the open-faced grande and petite sonnerie clock watch carries a pre-sale estimate of $300/500,000.

The vintage Patek Philippe pocket watch is a Yellow Gold Open-Faced Watch with Moon Phases Ref 767/3 made in 1904. This complex masterpiece with perpetual calendar, minute-repeating split-seconds chronograph and moon phases, has an estimate of $180/280,000. Pocket watches, particularly those with minute-repeating capabilities, are abundant in the sale, with numerous late-19th and early-20th Century options by Patek Philippe, Tiffany & Co., Charles Frodsham and Touchon.

A STRONG COLLECTION OF ROLEX DAYTONASAn impressive selection of Rolex wristwatches, including nine Daytonas – of which six are vintage and four are the loved ‘Paul Newman’ – are among the highlights of this sale of watches in New York. Desirable for their reliability and beauty, the group features a Fine and Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch Ref 6239 ‘Paul Newman’. Specifically prized for its unique art-deco style font and hash marks on the dial, this rare and iconic wristwatch from circa 1966 carries a pre-sale estimate of $70/90,000. The sale also offers two Rolex Yellow Gold Chronograph Wristwatches Ref 6241 ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona. Both estimated to sell for $150/250,000, the first is circa 1967 while the second is circa 1968.

PATEK PHILIPPE’S COMPLICATED WRISTWATCHESIn addition to pocket watches, there are a number of noteworthy wristwatches by Patek Philippe coming up for auction this December. A selection of vintage chronographs is led by a Fine 18k Yellow Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Register Ref 533 (estimate $40/60,000). Produced in 1947, this Ref 533 is distinguished from other models for its bezel. Modern wristwatches include a Fine and Rare Platinum Rectangular Tourbillon Wristwatch Ref 5101P, the first piece to combine ten-day power reserve and tourbillon complications (estimate $80/120,000) and a Very Fine and Rare Yellow Gold Cushion-Form Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch. While it was considered very unconventional and resisted by buyers when it was first distributed in 2004, today it is considered an iconic reference ahead of its time (estimate $150/250,000).

CAPTIVATING TIMEPICE BY CARTIERThe Important Watches auction also includes a fantastic desk timepiece by Cartier. The 1929 Exceptional and Rare Platinum, Yellow Gold, Rock Crystal, Onyx, Mother-Of-Pearl and Diamond-Set Mystery Clock is the epitome of elegance, combining beautiful details with impressive technical feats (estimate $300/500,000). Designed by master clockmaker Maurice Couet, the base hides the main body of the mechanism that controls the hand movements, thereby creating the illusion that the hands are floating in mid-air.