DALLAS, TX.- Competitive bidding drove a Cartier, Highly Important Piece Unique "Pendule Quatre Faces", circa 1992 to $212,500 to lead Heritage Auctions’ Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction to $3,323,023.

The event attracted 1,374 global visitors, and produced a sell-through rate of 96.6% by lots sold.

“We knew going in that the market was exceptionally hot at the moment, but the results in this sale exceeded even our most optimistic hopes,” Heritage Auctions Watches & Fine Timepieces Jim Wolf said. “Demand for elite Rolexes is surging, and we saw strong performances by modern Tourbillon watches, an indication that collectors are now focusing on some of the newer, highly complicated specialty watches.”

The top lot sits on an 18k octagonal base in gold and diamonds above lavrikite, central pedestal in abalone and diamond set gold that ratchets to change positions of each of the four sides. Each face on the upper cube, which measures 3 inches in each direction, includes a frame set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The top includes cabochon gemstones and a diamond and emerald finial topped by a carved emerald falcon, 7 inches high.

Tourbillon
Multiple bids drove a Ferdinand Berthoud, Rare and Important Chronomètre Certified COSC, Constant Force Regulation With Fusee And Chain Transmission And Tourbillon, Ref. FB 1R.6-1, Limited Edition No. 02/20 soared past pre-auction estimates when it sold for $200,000. Housed in a 44mm carburized octagonal stainless steel case, the rhodium-plated nickel silver dial includes a recessed polished steel power reserve mechanism, curved aperture for the hours with Arabic numerals, silver minute ring with blued steel hand, gold center seconds, outer second divisions on a silver band, and is signed "Chronomètre Val-de-Travers" at the base. The watch is signed: Ferdinand Berthoud No. 02/20.

More than a dozen bids came in for a Maîtres du Temps, Highly Important "Chapter One" Rose Gold Wristwatch, "Round Transparence" Tourbillon, Mono-Push Chronograph, Retrograde Date, GMT, Day Of The Week, Moon Phase, Ref. C1R.55.2E.60-2 until it finished at $78,125. This horological tour de force, the result of the collaboration skills of renowned watchmakers Christophe Claret, Roger Dubuis and Peter Speake-Marin, includes a massive (50 by 62 mm) 18k rose gold case, engraved "One of 11," a transparent laser-cut sapphire dial with applied luminous indexes, minute track on the flange ring, independently set retrograde GMT display and days of the month, sixty minute register, luminous gold tapered hands and red center seconds hand. The watch is signed Maîtres du Temp, Chapter One.

Other Tourbillon watches in the sale included, but were not limited to:

• An Arnold & Son, Fine White Gold Limited Edition TES Tourbillon, No. 11/25, circa 2018: $51,250

• A Breguet, Very Fine Pink Gold Marine Tourbillon Chronograph, Ref. 5837, circa 2014: $48,750

• A Roger Dubuis, Excalibur Flying Tourbillon Ref. DBEX0577, Unused Condition, circa 2018: $32,750

Rolex
The reputation of Rolex as one of the world’s elite watchmakers is well-earned, with a history of precise, innovative pieces that have attracted customers and collectors for more than a century to the company that opened in 1905. That demand resonated in this auction, with Rolex highlights that included but were not limited to:




• A Rolex, Very Fine Steel Oyster Cosmograph Daytona, Ref. 6263, circa 1979: $90,625

• A Rolex, An Exceptional Ref. 5513 Submariner, Gloss Gilt Underline Dial, Pointed Crown Guard, Original Papers, circa 1963: $68,750

• A Rolex, Important And Rare Ref. 5513 Submariner, Gloss Gilt Black Underline Dial, Pointed Crown Guard, circa 1963: $68,750

• A Rolex, Ref. 8171 "Padellone", Triple Calendar With Moonphase, 18K Yellow Gold, Automatic, Circa 1950: $53,750

• A Rolex, "Double Red" Sea-Dweller Submariner, Stainless Steel, Ref 1665, All Papers, circa 1977: $47,500

Other top lots in the auction included, but were not limited to:

• A Patek Philippe, Stainless Steel "Jumbo" Nautilus With Power Indicator, Ref. 3710/1, circa 2001: $81,250

• A Patek Philippe, Ref. 565 Extremely Rare And Important Stainless Steel Wristwatch, Center Seconds, Silvered Dial With Breguet Numerals, circa 1950
Case: $78,125

• A Patek Philippe, Very Fine and Rare 18k White Gold Automatic Perpetual Calendar With Moon Phases, Day, Date, Month And 24 Hour Indication, Ref. 3940G-013, circa 2004: $60,000

• A Daniel Roth Rare, 18k Rose, Jump Hour Papillon Wristwatch, No.100/110: $52,500

• A Patek Philippe, Stainless Steel Self-Winding Nautilus, Ref. 3800/001, circa 1990s: $52,500

• A Patek Philippe, Fine And Rare Keyless Yellow Gold Perpetual Calendar Watch With Moon Phases, Ref. 725, circa 1950: $45,000

• A Franck Muller, Unused Double Mystery White Gold, Diamond and Ruby Wristwatch, Ref. DM 42 D 2R CD:$43,750