NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s New York announces Important Watches and American Icons to take place on Thursday, December 12th. The auction offers a carefully curated selection of over 150 distinct lots, all highly sought-after for their historical notoriety, fresh-to-market condition, and extreme rarity, with estimates up to $600,000. Highlights include modern, vintage and sport watches from Rolex, Patek Phillipe, F. P. Journe, Omega, Richard Mille and more.
The sale presents a dedicated section titled American Icons, which offers a curated selection of timepieces with important provenance. Featured is a paired lot that includes an L. Leroy & Cie. pocket watch that belonged to Ernest Hemingway, sold alongside a Vacheron Constantin pocket watch owned by Charles C. Ritz ($15,000-25,000). This paired lot symbolized their friendship and Hemingway’s affinity for the grand hotel, which would later result in a bar named after him. Other American Icons include two Patek Philippe timepieces formerly belonging to the 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush; a one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe gold, enamel, and platinum watch in the form of a backpack, dated 1876 ($50,000-100,000), created for Elbert E. Farman, the Consul-General to Cairo, Egypt, famous for bringing ‘Cleopatra’s Needle’ to New York; a Breitling owned by astronaut Wally M. Shirra ($10,000-15,000); and an Omega Seamaster 300, belonging to LTC George Aikman Finter, which is sold alongside a treasure trove of documents ($12,000-18,000).
Highlighting the sale are important vintage and modern timepieces comprising an impressive array of Patek Philippe wristwatches, including an exceptionally rare reference 3450, retailed by Tiffany & Co. ($250,000-500,000), as well as the highly-complicated and exceptional reference 5016P ($400,000-600,000). Other highlights include a sought-after early stainless steel Rolex chronograph wristwatch, reference 3330 ($100,000-200,000), and a very attractive and unique skeletonized Breguet desk clock, manufactured at the height of the Art Deco period ($200,000 – 400,000).
Taking place concurrently is the Christie’s Watches Online: A Horological Holiday (November 26 – December 10), which presents over 200 watches ranging from vintage to contemporary timepieces. In collaboration with The Webster, Christie’s Watches Online is proud to feature a curated selection of holiday looks that exemplify the highest quality of designer clothing and timepieces combined. Professionally crafted by The Webster’s lead stylist, Linda Addouana, for the first-time, Christie’s will showcase expertly selected pairings of clothing and watches for both men and women, perfectly suitable for any holiday occasion. Further highlights and details are included below. Public preview of both sales includes a full exhibition at Christie’s 20 Rockefeller Center Galleries December 6 - 11.
