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A Passion for Watches: Instagram Star's Top 10 Fine Timepieces

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Having spent the last few years on the ground at various auctions, industry exhibitions and events shooting watches for his Instagram feeds, @watchesofinstagram and @rolex.watches, the man behind the social media has a passion for the horological. We thought it might be fun to ask the influencer with nearly half a million followers for a few picks from the sale of Fine Timepieces Online, which is open for bidding until 25 September. Click ahead to see his selections.

Fine Timepieces Online
Online | 12–25 September

A Passion for Watches: Instagram Star's Top 10 Fine Timepieces

  • IWC, A Yellow Gold Split-Seconds Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers Case 2912682 Portuguese Chronograph Rattrapante circa 2010. Estimate £5,000–8,000.
    With an estimate of £5000–8000, this is a lot of watch ! An 18K Yellow Gold case at a well-proportioned 41mm width, split seconds rattrapante, two sub register chronograph powered manual winding movement - IWC got this Portuguese model design just right with a nice mix of old and new.

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  • Rolex, A Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet Ref 16613 Case Y244024 Submariner circa 2002. Estimate £3,000–5,000.
    The love for two-tone, or as Rolex would prefer, Rolesor, has moved in and out of fashion over the decades. Right now we seem to be on an upward trend again for the format, bridging the gap between its dominant stainless steel and all gold siblings. A truly classic mix especially with the sought after blue dial and bezel combo.

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  • Chopard, A Lady's Yellow Gold, Mother-Of-Pearl and Diamond-Set Wristwatch Ref 4177 Case 1326338 circa 1995. Estimate £1,000–2,000.
    What's not to love in this ladies cracker? A well-sized 36mm, 18k gold case with central mother-of-pearl dial and 12 floating collet-set diamonds at the hour markers. Teamed with an original hand stitched Chopard leather strap and 18K buckle makes for a stunning look.

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  • Rolex, A Stainless Steel Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Date Ref 16610 Case L386456 Submariner circa 1988. Estimate £2,500–3,500.
    Something of a classic and obvious choice for the Submariner date but it still hits all the marks. One of two reference 16610 available in this online sale (with estimates of £2500–3000) but unlike the 1996 option this earlier circa 1988 gets my vote just because it has a subtle patina in the hour markers and from next year you can boast that your watch is circa 30 years old and still looks like the real deal.

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  • Breitling, A Yellow Gold, Diamond-Set and Mother-Of-Pearl Wristwatch with Emergency Antenna, Calendar and Bracelet Case 437273 Emergency circa 2002. Estimate £8,000–12,000.
    There is no way we, or anyone else for that matter, could ignore this particular lot. If you’re not already familiar.... via an internal pull-out antenna the Emergency watch will omit an SOS signal to the local coast guard should you find yourself in any sea faring distress. Or with this particular piece, catch the sun in the right light on all those factory diamonds and folk will see you for miles. Now imagine wearing this beast in a club!  

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  • Girard, A Limited Edition Pink Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Date No 23/150 Ref 80178 Laureato BMW Oracle Racing USA 98 circa 1998. Estimate £2,500–3,500.
    A piece of yacht racing history for the wrist with the Limited Edition Pink Gold GP made for the 1998 Lauren to BMW Oracle race. It features the 10 minute regatta countdown function, 3 register chronograph and date housed in a 46mm case with reptile strap and no. 23 of just 150 made. From memory the original list price on these was significant but it could now be yours for a much calmer £2500–3000.

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  • Rolex, A Yellow Gold Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Day, Date and Bracelet Ref 18038 Case 6654454 Day-Date circa 1981. Estimate £4,000–6,000.
    There are classics and there are legends. This reference 18038 in my opinion is both. Instantly recognisable with its presidential bracelet and fluted bezel, this 36mm Day-Date with silvered sunburst dial comes with a host of Rolex provenance and at just £4000–6000 appears to be a lot of bang for your pound. Seriously, this is a gorgeous looking Day-Date.

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  • Cartier, a Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold Square Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Bracelet Santos 100 circa 2005. Estimate £2,000–3,000.
    In case it escaped your attention, Cartier is celebrating 100 years of the Tank this year and as a personal favourite (I owned this same model a few years back) it would be amiss of me not to highlight this particular piece. What caught my eye all those years ago was the unmistakable Cartier screw design, particularly in the bi-metal with the Roman numerals and sapphire set crown. If you’re looking for a dress watch with a sporty larger look and instantly recognisable features then for the guide of £2,000–3,000 this could be the answer.

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  • Breguet, A Fine Yellow Gold Tourbillon Wristwatch Ref 3350 No 2296 Classique circa 2005. Estimate £15,000–20,000.
    A watch with simply stunning craftsmanship, the 18k Breguet Classique from 2005 boasts a cal. 558 manual winding movement and a tourbillon to boot. Combined with its guilloché dial, Roman numerals, coin edged band and sapphire crystal display back… that’s a lot of watch!

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  • Omega, A Stainless Steel Tonneau Chronograph Wristwatch Ref 145.014 Speedmaster Professional Mark II circa 1979. Estimate £1,000–1,500.
    A Speedmaster is a must for most collectors and personally I'm partial to a Tonneau case so this Mark II from 1979 is well worth a look - especially given the low end estimate of just £1,000. A strong case and nicely aged dial and hands adds real character and, while it's most definitely a tool watch, its sleek shape slips nicely under a cuff.

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