DALLAS, TX.- A magnificent, fresh-to-market Patek Philippe, Important Ref. 3970/E Gold Chronograph, Perpetual Calendar And Moon Phases, Second Generation, Full Set, circa 1990 will make time to find a new owner when it is sold November 20 in Heritage’s Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction.

“This is a fantastic watch, and was previously owned by a very astute 20th-century collector,” says Jim Wolf, Director of Watches & Fine Timepieces at Heritage Auctions. “Patek Philippe makes some of the finest timepieces in the world, and this 18k gold watch is no exception. The fact that it is being offered at auction for the first time only adds to the appeal.”

The auction, Wolf says, is an exceptional event overall, with attractive options for collectors of all kinds.

“This is one of the most diverse auctions we have curated in years,” he says. “It has more than 400 lots, including 89 Rolex offerings, nearly 50 from Patek Philippe, and others from Vacheron Constantin, Cartier and a half a dozen from Audemars Piguet. The selection of beautiful watches in this auction is as varied as the tastes of the collectors who will end up with them.”

Another spectacular Rolex that is in play in this auction is a Rare Ref. 6538 “Big Crown” Submariner, circa 1957 with a stainless steel, three body, inner case back with III.57 date, a large 8 mm Brevet screw down crown and a “no hash” black bezel. The gloss black dial features a gilt minute track, “Rolex Oyster” and “Perpetual Submariner” in gilt lettering.

From the same collection as the Ref. 3970/E Gold Chronograph comes a Rolex, Rare As New Ref. 16520 “Patrizzi Dial” Steel Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, circa 1995 Full Set. The dial on this magnificent timepiece is named after Osvaldo Patrizzi, the kingpin who started watch collecting in the 1990s. The subsidiary dial rings underwent a significant change in color, from white to deep copper. Patrizzi, who began his career in watches at just 13 years old in Milan and later established an auction house dedicated to watches, clocks and objects of vertu, was the first to notice the transition, thereby earning the honor of having the dial named after him.

The Ref. 16520 with the Patrizzi Dial is just one of 15 Rolex Daytonas in the auction, a group that also includes but is not limited to a selection from the 1990s that are remarkable because of their condition, which remains almost like new, including:

• A Choice Ref. 16523 Two Tone Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, circa 1993

• A Rolex, Rare Ref. 6234 Oyster Chronograph Anti-Magnetic, Full Set, circa 1963

• A Ref. 16523 Two-Tone Dial Daytona, Inverted “6,” circa 1991

• A Ref. 16523 Two-Tone Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, Diamond Dial, circa 1991

• A Ref. 16523 Two-Tone Cosmograph Daytona, Silver Dial, circa 1997

• A Cosmograph “Zenith” Daytona, “Inverted Six” Dial, Stainless Steel, Ref. 16520, circa 1993, Full Set

One of the most eye-catching lots in the auction is an Omega, Rare Saudi Arabia Enameled Dial 18k Rose Gold Wristwatch, Ref. 2686, circa 1950s, a beautiful watch with an 18k gold case and a polychrome enameled dial that includes a map of Saudi Arabia in orange, blue, yellow and gold, with applied gold baton indexes, rose gold Dauphine hands and center seconds.

A Rolex, Extremely Rare GMT-Master, Ref. 1675 Retailed By Cartier Circa 1968 is a magnificent timepiece that is fresh to the market and enjoys elevated demand among collectors because it is one of the rare examples with the “Cartier” name on the black dial. Consigned by the family of the original owner, this watch was originally purchased by a Mr. Joseph Bennett, who was described by his family as “a gifted businessman, a passionate aviator, and a dedicated philanthropist” who traveled with his wife to numerous countries and continents around the globe.

Other top lots in the auction include, but are not limited to:

• A Breguet Ref. 3755 Gold Classique Grande Complication Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Box and Papers

• An Audemars Piguet, Rare Ref. 5402 18k Gold Royal Oak “Jumbo” Self-Winding Wristwatch, circa 1970s

• A Patek Philippe, Ref. 5070G-001, Unused Double Sealed, White Gold Chronograph, Circa 2008 Full Set

• A Vacheron Constantin, Platinum Double Retrograde Wristwatch, Mercator Model Ref. 43050/000P, Full Set

• An A. Lange & Sohne, Fine White Gold Saxonia Annual Calendar, Ref. 330.026E, Full Set