NEW YORK, NY.- One of the 19th century's coveted and most collectible timepieces, A Rare Piguet & Capt Three Compartment Gold & Enamel Snuff Box With Concealed Automaton & Timepiece, circa 1800, brought $62,500 in
Heritage Auctions' fall Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction October 27 in New York. The unparalleled gold and enamel timepiece depicts a young boy fishing accompanied by two young women dichotomized by applied multicolor gold floral baskets and leaves on the corners. The piece makes an excellent addition to one's collection.
The $1.3 million auction was comprised of all different makes, including Piguet & Capt, Rolex, and Cartier timepieces. "Fine timepieces are always stylish and collectors do not face any hesitation to zero in on rare models when they come up for auction," said Jim Wolf, director of fine timepieces at Heritage Auctions. "I was particularly pleased to see bids spread across diverse makers - clearly, now is a prime time to send high-end watches to auction."
A Rolex Ref. 6263 Gold Oyster Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified Cosmograph With Rare Sigma Dial, circa 1980, sold for $46,250 following interest from four highly competitive bidders. A Cartier, Platinum Art Deco Diamond, Onyx & Seed Pearl Watch, circa 1915 sold for $42,500, facing intensive bidding among 14 prospective owners.
Two fine Rolex models surpassed expectations. The 1979 Ref. 6265/6263 Steel Cosmograph Daytona, sold for an astounding $33,750, while this Classic 1939 Leather Band Pink Gold Antimagnetic Chronograph Formerly In The Mondani Collection went for an even $30,000.
Among the auction's unique finds, a Waltham Gold In Quartz Box Hinge Pocket Watch, circa 1884 sold for $22,500. The magnificent timepiece boasts a centrally engraved gold nugget with a domed crystal depicting an edifice with a flag, contrasted by impressive boulders in the foreground. Among these oddities is a Swiss Rare & Very Fine Carillon Minute Repeating Three Motion Automaton With Gold, Enamel & Diamond Case, circa 1900 that sold for a mere $21,250, considering the pieces astonishing beauty.
Additional highlights include, but are not limited to:
• A Universal Geneve Rare & Very Fine Ref. 881101/03 Steel Tri-Compax, circa 1960's: Realized: $25,000.
• Patek Philippe Ref. 2526 18k Rose Gold Self-Winding Wristwatch With First Series Enamel Dial Circa 1950's: Realized: $22,500
• Rolex Rare GMT-Master Ref. 6542 With Exquisite Bakelite Bezel, circa 1958: Realized: $22,500.
• Rolex Very Fine Ref. 218239 White Gold President Day Date II: Realized; $22,500.
• Patek Philippe & Cie Gold Minute Repeater, Original Box & Certificate of Origin, circa 1912: Realized: $20,625
• Hublot Very Fine Rose Gold King Power Split Second Chronograph With Power Indication, Ref. 709.OM.1780.RX, No. 336/500: Realized: $18,750.
• Breguet Classique No. 4215, Ref. 3130 Very Fine 18k Gold Astronomic Gent's Automatic Wristwatch With Power Reserve: Realized: $17,500.
• Franck Muller Superb 18k Pink Gold Wristwatch Ref. 7000 QP E, Automatic, Perpetual Calendar, Chronograph, with Moonphase: Realized: $15,625.
