DALLAS, TX.- A magnificent timepiece from one of the world’s premier watchmakers, which is as mechanically impressive as it is aesthetically captivating, will get its time in the spotlight as one of the elite offerings in Heritage’s Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction Nov. 20.

The discontinued Patek Philippe Calatrava Rare Handcrafts, Platinum Case, 18k White Gold Engraved Dial, Ref. 5088/100P-001 combines understated design with refined craftsmanship, and it boasts accuracy ensured by an ultra-thin self-winding movement visible through the transparent sapphire case back. The 38mm dial features an elaborate weave of ornate handcrafted vines in an eye-catching design beneath Dauphine hands.

“This is an elegant marriage of artistry and precision from one of the world’s elite watchmakers,” says Jim Wolf, Heritage’s Director of Watches & Fine Timepieces. “The combination of artistic precision and mechanical ingenuity make this a coveted prize among the most serious of collectors.”

Also in play is a beautiful Cartier Bamboo Coussin, Ref. 78102 18k Yellow Gold Wristwatch that fits perfectly into the collecting market’s demand for rare-form cases. Cartier’s Bamboo Coussin was created in two sizes: a ladies’ version with reference 78110 and this, the corresponding men’s version. Part of its appeal is in its inarguable rarity — some have suggested as few as 250 with reference 78102 ever were produced. The dial is notable for a couple of distinctive markings: the vintage-style font of the “CARTIER” name below the 12, and the capitalized “PARIS” beneath the 6 at the bottom of the dial.

A Patek Philippe Aquanaut, 18k White Gold, Midnight Blue Dial, Full Set, Ref. 5168G, with an embossed cushion-shape classic-size (42 mm) dial inside an 18k white gold case, is offered with its full set of box, manual booklet and certificate of origin. Powered by an automatic movement, the displays are extremely visible in day and night, thanks in part to luminescent white gold hands and applied Arabic numerals.

Another one of the treasures that will be offered in the auction is a Patek Philippe, Very Rare Ref. 3417 “Amagnetic” Stainless Steel Wristwatch that is particularly elusive to collectors with the script signature featured on this example. From an era in which watch companies began experimenting with anti-magnetic timepieces, it features an original type 2 dial with baton indexes, plack minute lines, a numeral at 12, subsidiary seconds and white gold baton hands. It is presented with a period Patek Philippe box.

An impressive piece with a futuristic feel is a De Bethune DB28XP US Limited Edition Titanium Men’s Watch that is presented with its “full set,” including its box, as well as its Certificate of Origin and Warranty. With a design that bears some resemblance to a Star Trek logo, it has a massive (43mm) ultra-thin titanium monolock case around a beautiful “microlite rose” open worked dial with skeletonized delta-hands.

A timeless class that is up for grabs in this auction is a Rolex, Ref. 6263 Rare 18k Gold Cosmograph Daytona, Full Set, circa 1985 that is offered with its full set and is accompanied by Attestation de Chronometre/Garantie punch papers with Soto Largo Madrid sticker showing sale date of 20 Jun. 1985, Cosmograph booklets, original leather/suede box and an additional Rolex alligator strap with 18k gold large crown buckle. One of the most desirable chronographs ever produced by Rolex, this reference is considered a cornerstone of vintage Rolex collecting and rarely is found complete with its original accessories.

Collectors of pocket watches will have plenty of options from which to choose in the auction, including a magnificent Ls. Audemars, Gold Grand Complicated Minute Repeater With Perpetual Calendar & Moon Phase, circa 1895 that represents an extraordinary amount of precise engineering, complete with a four-year calendar. Born in La Vallée de Joux, Louis-Benjamin Audemars was apprenticed at an early age to Philippe Meylan, and later founded the firm Louis Audemars & Cie in 1811, quickly developing a reputation for fine workmanship. In 1848 the company began producing complete watches and became recognized as one of the finest, providing major Swiss and French manufacturers such as Le Roy, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin, with highly complicated watches and movements.

Another exceptional pocket watch in the auction is a Patek Philippe Very Fine Gold Minute Repeating Pocket Watch, Original Box & Papers, circa 1900 that is accompanied by its certificate of origin and full box. Housed in a massive (52mm) 18k rose gold case, it boasts a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and gold Louis XV hands.