LONDON.- Bonhams Watches opens its global auction calendar this week with the first of its popular Knightsbridge sales on Tuesday 18 February.
Leading the diverse selection of more than 240 timepieces, representing over 400 years of horology is a unique c.1900 pocket watch made by Baume & Co, offered by the descendants of the original owner after many treasured years of ownership by the family.
The very fine 18K gold keyless wind perpetual calendar trip minute repeating grande sonnerie full hunter clock watch with chronograph, strike silent, moon phase and customised polychrome enamel crest has an estimate of £15,000 – 20,000.
First commissioned by a German Professor of Medicine, this bespoke timepiece is now offered for sale by his descendants, representing a skilfully executed piece of historic horological craftsmanship.
The watch is adorned by two handsomely finished pieces of enamel work, with the Professor’s family crest to the front and the Rod of Asclepius, representing the god of healing to the reverse.
Fast forward nearly 120 years to another highlight – a 2018 Moritz Grosmann Atum Pure, representing a ‘new generation of timepieces created by contemporary brands and produced by one of the emerging ‘powerhouses’ of German watchmaking, known for their simplistic, clean designs. Introduced in 2013, the Atum is part of the ‘Pure’ range which embodies these qualities.
The stainless-steel manual wind wristwatch features a unique hand engraved balance clock, white lacquer dial and dark grey Moritz Grossmann alligator leather strap.
Offered for sale by its original owner, this is the first Moritz Grossmann to be offered in a Bonhams Watch Auction to date.
Penelope Morris, Head of Department, Bonhams UK Watches, said: “This watch is a great example of the attitude of more contemporary brands, whereby they are moving away from a corporate image to one built on pure craftsmanship and attention to detail – and ultimately one of passion. The fact that these watches are coming onto the auction market should be reassuring for collectors who are looking at the future of their investments.”
Other highlights of the sale include:
c.2005 Rolex Submariner, estimate £8,000 – 12,000 (lot 235).
18 K gold automatic calendar bracelet watch with sunburst blue dial and gilt ‘Mercedes’ hands with luminous inserts.
C 1990 Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Perpetual Calendar. Estimate £4,000 – 6,000 (lot 237).
An 18 K gold automatic perpetual calendar bracelet watch with moon phase – an elegant yet complicated timepiece.
243 Bremont 1918 GMT limited edition no. 106/275. Estimate £2,000 – 3,000.
This stainless-steel automatic calendar chronograph wristwatch was released in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Air Force. As well as a moon phase and dual time indication, the timepiece features an extraordinary rotor comprised of elements from three Battle of Britain aircrafts – the Bristol Blenheim, Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane – in the formation of propeller blades n the oscillating weight. At the centre of the rotor there is a veneer of original wood from the Shuttleworth Collection's 1917 SE5a.as propeller blades.
C 2008 Omega Seamaster Beijing Olympics, estimate £800 – 1,200.
This limited-edition timepiece, number of 724 of 2008, is identified by its centre chronograph hand featuring the Olympic rings to its base.
The watch was created to celebrate the Beijing Olympic Games staged in 2008, which marked the 23rd appearance of the brand at the Games, since it first supplied watches for use in the 1932 Olympics held in Los Angeles. Omega was the first company ever appointed Official Timekeeper for all Olympic disciplines.
C 1970 International Watch Company ‘Ingenieur’, estimate £1,800 – 2,000.
This ‘magnetic’ watch was created by the designer of the renowned Nautilus, and was first introduced by IWC as its first automatic, antimagnetic watch.
The famous Ingenieur arrow logo can be seen on the dial of the watch and alludes to electrical warning signs posted in places with strong electro-magnetic currents. This was exactly the environment that anti-magnetic watches, which were protected against magnetic fields, were created for.
With its sporty design the watch has become a classic among collectors. The countless dial variations only add further to the collectability of this timeless tool watch.
C 2015 Arnold & Son Instrument DBG Equation GMT.
An unusual 18K gold manual wind wristwatch with dual time zone and 24-hour indication. Estimate £6,000 – 8,000.
The DBG showcases two symmetrically arranged mechanical halves, visible to the dial and through the ‘exhibition’ back, which displays two time zones, a functionality achieved by installing a second balance, gear train and escapement, separate from the main movement.
