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10 Fine and Rare Timepieces to Suit Every Style

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Sotheby’s upcoming auction of Important Watches on 12 November will bring together a particularly attractive selection of fine and rare timepieces to suit every collecting style. Highlights from the sale, to be held at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, include a very fine selection of vintage and modern watches from the most prominent brands including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, F.P. Journe and Richard Mille. Click ahead to see highlights from the sale.

Important Watches
Geneva | 12 November

10 Fine and Rare Timepieces to Suit Every Style

  • Patek Philippe, A White Gold Automatic Astronomical Wristwatch with Sky Chart Phases and Position of the Moon and Time of Meridian Passage of Sirius and the Moon, Ref 5102G, Mvt 3328193, Case 4259744 Celestial, Made in 2004.
    Estimate CHF120,000–180,000/$124,000–185,000.
    Launched in 2002, Patek Philippe’s Celestial (reference 5102) is one of the most important horological complications ever developed. Its introduction allowed the remarkable rendition of the Northern Hemisphere’s celestial chart to be fitted dynamically upon the wrist for the first time. This Astronomical wristwatch in white gold is a spectacular example

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  • Patek Philippe, A Yellow Gold Automatic Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch, Ref 344, Mvt 1119343, Case 331503, Made in 1974.
    Estimate CHF120,000–180,000/$124,000–185,000.
    When Patek Philippe’s wristwatch reference 3448 was first introduced in 1962, it was not only the first automatic perpetual calendar made in series by Patek Philippe, but the first by any company. With its pared-back, more angular design and linear display of the day and month, the reference represented a departure from the classic rounded cases and lugs of previous models.

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  • Patek Philippe, A Pink Gold Automatic Wristwatch with Bracelet and Enamel Dial, Ref 2526, Mvt 762228, Case 691278, Made in 1955.
    Estimate CHF15,000–25,000/$15,500–25,700.
    Also standing out in the selection of vintage wristwatches on offer is a rare Patek Philippe reference 2526 . The case, bezel and link bracelet in 18-carat pink gold beautifully complement this reference’s stunning and rich enamel dial. Together with the superlative 12-600 AT calibre – the manufacture’s very first self-winding movement – this example from 1955 offers collectors the opportunity to own one of this prestigious brand’s finest time-only watches made in series.

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  • Audemars Piguet, A Stainless Steel Automatic Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet, Ref 5402, Case A263 Royal Oak Jumbo, circa 1972.
    Estimate CHF15,000–30,000/$15,500–30,900.
    Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak was a revolutionary new design launched in 1972, a sporty yet elegant timepiece in steel. This is an early example of the watch created by Gerald Genta which, with its daring octagonal bezel and tapisserie dial, took the world by storm following its launch at the Basel Swiss Watch Fair that very year.

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  • Tudor, A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Date, Registers and Bracelet, Ref 7149/0, Case 825972 Monte Carlo, circa 1972.
    Estimate CHF12,000–18,000/$12,400–18,500.
    Tudor, a sister company of Rolex, was founded in the late 1940s and their watches have since become collectors’ items thanks to their extreme durability and appealing looks. The chronograph version was introduced in 1970, featuring bold shapes, impressive cases, graphic lines and bright colours. This model, nicknamed "Monte Carlo" by collectors, demonstrates the reference’s strong visual identity and uncompromising quality.

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  • Cartier, A Yellow Gold Rectangular Reversible Wristwatch, Case 36828 Tank Basculante, circa 1950. Estimate CHF5,000–7,000/$5,140–7,200.
    This year marks 100 years since Louis Cartier designed the brand’s iconic 'Tank' watch: the effortlessly elegant wristwatch which defied the conventional distinctions between men’s and ladies' watches with its rigorously linear shape. In November, we will offer a fine selection of Cartier Tank watches, led by this timeless reversible model in yellow gold from around 1950.

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  • Urban Jürgensen & Sønner Copenhagen/Derek Pratt, An Important Massive and Rare Yellow Gold Open-Faced Twin Barrel One Minute Tourbillon Watch with Carriage Mounted Remontoire Jump Seconds and Power Reserve Indication, No 3060, circa 1982. Estimate CHF60,000–100,000/$62,000–103,000.
    The auction on 12 November will include a collection of 8 watches by Urban Jürgensen, whose horological genius built on the impressive legacy of his watchmaking father, Jürgen Jürgensen. The dynasty’s rich history was later further enriched in the 20th century by the collaboration between talented Swiss watchmaker Peter Baumgartner and Derek Pratt, one of the most brilliant watchmakers of the 20th and 21st centuries.



    Together, they developed a new tourbillon with one-second remontoire and twin mainspring barrels, taking the tradition to a new level. The leading watch in this collection – which features this rarest and most sophisticated version of Derek Pratt’s invention – is an outstanding example of the collaboration which marked a masterful chapter in the company’s illustrious history.

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  • Patek Philippe, A Unique and Superb Yellow Gold and Enamel Open-Faced Keyless Lever Watch with “The Burton Hunt” Enamel Miniature by G. Menni after John Ferneley, Ref 652/56, Mvt 933031, Case 2818805, Made in 1980.
    Estimate CHF200,000–300,000/$206,000–309,000.
    The selection of timepieces in the sale by watchmaking reference Patek Philippe also includes a superb bespoke enameled pocket watch illustrated with "The Burton Hunt", a legendary fox hunt. The exquisite enamel work for this unique piece was carried out by G. Menni, one of the most reputable enamellers in the field in the late 20th century, who painted some 50 miniatures for Patek Philippe. The flawless miniaturized painting featured on the case back of this piece was inspired by a work by English painter John E. Ferneley (1782–1860).

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  • Cartier, A Limited Edition Nobium-Titanium Automatic Wristwatch, Ref 3388, Mvt No13, Case No 02/50 Rotonde Astroregulateur, circa 2012.
    Estimate CHF80,000–120,000/$82,500–124,000.
    “Showcasing the most advanced movements in Cartier Fine Watchmaking”, the famous Rotonde collection will be represented in the autumn sale by a limited-edition Nobium-Titanium  automatic wristwatch featuring the incredibly innovative in-house calibre 9800MC, the crowning feature of which is the remarkable Astroregulateur complication, devised by Cartier’s master watchmaker as an alternative to the standard tourbillon. The watch is exquisitely finished with generous but harmonius proportions: quintessentially Cartier.

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  • Richard Mille, A Carbon Tpt Tonneau-Form Wristwatch Ref Rm35-01.Ao.Ca No 134 Rafael Nadal Circa 2015.
    Estimate CHF50,000–80,000/$51,500–82,500.
    Innovative independent watchmaker Richard Mille is renowned for taking sports watches to a whole new level. In 2010, they launched the first of a series of ultra-light wristwatches inspired by the sporting prowess and stamina of tennis legend, Rafael Nadal. This manual winding watch from the RM-35-01 range features a tourbillon – one of the most delicate complications in watchmaking – but the exceptionally resilient design of this series, along with the incredibly light materials used, allows the Spaniard to wear the watches even during his most competitive matches.

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