This summer, Bonhams presents a series of Watches and Wristwatches sales across its global salerooms, starting this Wednesday 15 July with Evolutionary Time (online, Hong Kong) before moving to London on 21 July for Watches and Wristwatches (Knightsbridge) and Fine Watches on 5 August (New Bond Street) and concluding on 19 August in New York with The Art of Time.
Featuring more than 100 lots, Evolutionary Time – the online-only sale running from 15 to 22 July on bonhams.com – will place a spotlight on a group of innovative timepieces from the most respected independent master watchmakers, including Christophe Claret, F. P. Journe, Franck Muller, Pierre Kunz, and Maîtres du Temps, among others.
For years, independent watchmakers have represented a unique facet of haute horologerie. These names are best known for producing – from start to finish, and in very limited quantities – their own distinct timepieces with state-of-the-art movements and original design. Independent watchmakers are the creative visionaries who capture the attention and hearts of collectors desiring exclusivity – be it in quality or quantity.
One of the key pioneering independent watchmakers, Christophe Claret has developed unique complicated calibres for numerous luxury brands, including Franck Muller, deGrisogono and Harry Winston. Presented as highlights of the sale are the Grand Complication – White Gold DualTow (estimate: HK$ 550,000 – 1,000,000) and the Titanium DualTow (estimate: HK$ 650,000 – 1,000,000) both developed to mark the brand’s 20th anniversary.
Consisting of 177 lots and taking place behind-closed-doors in Knightsbridge, the Watches and Wristwatches sale will notably feature a fine selection of early and 19th century pocket watches, including four exceptional examples by Breguet.
A highlight of the sale will be a Fine and Rare 18K Gold Key Wind Open Face ‘Souscription’ Pocket Watch (estimate: £12,000 – 18,000). After Abraham Louis Breguet returned from exile back to Paris in the 1790s, his business was virtually destroyed. He came up with a plan whereby his clients could order a watch by paying a down payment, and then the balance when the watch was delivered. This allowed him to rebuild. These watches were known as ‘Souscription’ watches. Each of these watches is in some way unique as each was finished by hand, with a certain amount of freedom given to the watchmaker. The dial of this watch has a secret scratch signature and is numbered. To this design Breguet added special features, like the parachute shock resist system and the underslung ruby cylinder, which were all his own advances in horology. Throughout the 19th century, Breguet remained at the forefront of invention and innovation.
Bonhams Fine Watches sale on 5 August in New Bond Street, London, will feature an outstanding array of modern classics, including really exceptional examples from Patek Philippe. Highlights include A fine and rare factory sealed 18K white gold Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Nautilus 5976/1G-001 (estimate: £170,000-220,000).
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the legendary Nautilus, Patek Philippe launched the 5976/1G in 2016. The iconic blue, ridged dial is embossed with 1976-40-2016, and the indexes feature ten baguette-cut diamonds and three princess-cut diamonds. The watch was a limited edition of 1,300 and was offered new to the most loyal and supportive Patek Philippe clients worldwide.
The Art of Time on 19 August in New York will present a selection of fine timepieces that express the diverse mastery of watchmaking as an artform, expressed down to the finest details.
Highlights include; a Girard Perregaux fine and rare minute repeating wristwatch with tourbillon escapement and split second chronograph Ferrari, 1999 (estimate: $80,000 – 120,000), and a Rolex stainless steel automatic center seconds diver’s bracelet watch with date, Retailed by Tiffany & Co., Ref: 16600, Circa 1993 (estimate: $20,000 – 30,000).
Bonhams has announced that that preview and bidding will be done in accordance with the latest government guidelines. This includes the option, when necessary, of an appointment-only preview and a ‘behind-closed-doors’ auction, where an auctioneer will be present on the rostrum, and bids will be accepted in the following formats: online, on the phone, or by leaving an absentee bid.
For the two sales based in London, Bonhams will be offering additional viewing opportunities at Bonhams Oxford saleroom for clients who do not currently wish to travel to London. Appointments can be arranged with the department and are available now for lots from the Knightsbridge sale.
Photo: LOT 18 BREGUET. A FINE AND RARE 18K GOLD KEY WIND OPEN FACE ‘SOUSCRIPTION’ POCKET WATCH Circa 1822, crisp gold © Bonhams