Blue Is The Colour Of Exceptional Timepieces At Bonhams In September
London, Knightsbridge – Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre to more contemporary styles from fashion houses Hermès, Chanel, and Cartier form the timepieces at Bonhams Knightsbridge 13 September watches and wristwatches sale.
Rolex – An exceptional platinum Rolex leads the sale at Bonhams. The Cosmograph Daytona automatic chronograph bracelet watch has a sunburst ice blue dial with diamond set hour markers within a brushed and polished tonneau case with polished platinum link bracelet. Accompanied by its original box and papers, this statement piece is offered with an estimate of £70,000 – 100,000.
Penelope Andrews, Bonhams Head of Watches in London, said “The Knightsbridge sale has an extraordinary selection of over 200 lots of sought after and rare watches on offer, reflecting our status as the number one market leader across the UK within the watch category.”
Another timepiece from Rolex includes a rare stainless steel automatic calendar bracelet watch Double Red Sea-Dweller featuring a black dial with luminous dot hour markers, baton quarters, white outer minute divisions and date aperture complete with polished Mercedes hands with luminous inserts encased in a brushed and polished tonneau form. Accompanied by its original box and punched guarantee certificate. This rare timepiece is offered with an estimate of £25,000 – 35,000.
Other notable lots include a rare circa 1970 Rolex18K gold quartz calendar bracelet watch featuring a 13-jewel ‘Texan’ Beta-21 quartz movement, developed by the Centre Electronique Horloger in 1969. The ‘Texan’ Beta-21 movement was accurate to 5 seconds per month, superior to any other automatic or manual watch at the time. It has been rumoured that only 1,000 pieces were produced making this Rolex one for the collectors. The design showcases a champagne dial with applied gilt baton hour markers, black 1/5th second divisions magnified date aperture, gilt baton hands with luminous inserts in a brushed tonneau case. Offered with an estimate of £10,000 – 15,000.
Rose Gold – With rose gold continuing to be a popular style choice when it comes to watches, Bonhams has a selection of exquisite timepieces available. Highlights include the opportunity to acquire one of the most sought-after watches in the market – a Patek Philippe 18K rose gold automatic calendar wristwatch with a moon phase and power reserve Nautilus. First seen in 2006, the watch commemorated the 30th anniversary of Nautilus with its unusual dial arrangement. Accompanied by its original box and spare brown Patek Philippe leather strap. Offered with an estimate of £70,000 – 90,000.
Another noteworthy piece is a fine Rolex in 18K rose gold diamond set automatic calendar bracelet watch Day-Date with a sunburst chocolate brown dial, diamond set hour markers with baguette set quarters, magnified date aperture and gilt baton hands. The case is brushed and polished tonneau with a diamond set bezel. Offered with an estimate of £35,000 – 45,000.
Other highlights include an18K Rolex, rose gold automatic chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph Daytona with a sunburst chocolate brown dial, Arabic numerals, rose gilt outer and edged detailing. Offered with an estimate of £30,000 – 40,000.
Military Omega – The sale representing the names of horology also includes a 1967 Omega stainless steel military issue automatic wristwatch Seamaster 300. With provenance of a continuous military service, the Omega held a naval rating in the late Sixties, followed by time with the HM Coastguards where it saw a 100 cliff rescues. The watch was then sold to the present vendor who served on the Eastbourne Lifeboat for 15 years. Offered with an estimate £15,000 – 20,000.
Omega – The September auction features a special lot of 60 vintage Omega watches including Chronographs, Speedmasters, Flightmasters, Seamasters and military issue designs that have a breath of dates across the decades starting in 1915 up to 2006. The collection has been donated by one owner with all proceeds from the sale being gifted to The Norfolk Hospice.
Standout lots include early models of the circa 1939 stainless steel manual wind single button chronograph wristwatch, circa 1940 stainless steel manual wind chronograph wristwatch and circa 1944 stainless steel manual wind military issue ‘Dirty Dozen’ watch. Later notable models include the 1961 Omega stainless steel manual wind chronograph Seamaster,1970 Speedmaster Mark II stainless steel manual wind chronograph bracelet watch with racing dial and 1984 automatic calendar chronograph bracelet watch Speedmaster Mark V. All with individual estimates ranging from £1,000 – 6,000.
Fashion – For the collector looking for contemporary styles on offer is a Hermès limited edition 18K rose gold automatic calendar wristwatch with a mother of pearl dial, black Arabic numeral hour markers, gilt leaf hands and crescent tipped calendar hand with brown leather strap. Accompanied by Hermès box and moon phases booklet. Offered with an estimate £7,000 – 9,000
Other contemporary highlights include a series of Cartier watches, the standout lot is a 18K white gold and diamond set automatic wristwatch, offered with an estimate £7,000 – 9,000. Alongside a Chanel circa 1990’s lady’s gold-plated quartz bracelet Premiere model, complete with a black dial, gilt baton hands and black leather and polished link bracelet strap. Offered with an estimate £700 – 900.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewellery, watches, wine and whisky. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com
