GENEVA.- Sotheby’s Autumn sale of Important Watches in Geneva will be led by a selection of exceptionally rare models featuring bespoke features and unique commissions from the world’s greatest manufacturers, including Patek Philippe and Rolex.

The leading highlights of the sale offer the opportunity for collectors of the finest timepieces to acquire one-ofa-kind examples, many of which are being offered for the first time at auction.

The sale on November 15 will also feature an extensive selection of very fine vintage and modern wristwatches from Patek Philippe, Rolex, Breguet and Vacheron Constantin, as well as independent watchmakers such as F.P. Journe and Greubel Forsey, to name just two.

Connoisseurs of rare pocket watches will no doubt be captivated by a group of fine timepieces from the 19th century, including rare examples of workmanship by celebrated watchmaking houses such as Breguet and Vacheron Constantin.

Speaking ahead of the sale, Pedro Reiser, General Manager of Sotheby’s Watch Department, Geneva, commented: “Our November sale brings together examples of some of the most emblematic references created by the world’s leading watchmakers – including some absolutely unique pieces and extraordinarily rare bespoke features. Alongside these covetable collection pieces, the sale offers a fine selection of pocket watches and a wide range of vintage and modern wristwatches, from sporty innovation to classic elegance.”

ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES BY PATEK PHILIPPE
This reference from Patek Philippe, 2438-1, ranks among the most iconic and sought-after pieces ever produced by the celebrated manufacturer. Made between 1952 and 1963, it was the first water-resistant perpetual calendar wristwatch ever made in series by any watch company. Just 65 examples were produced bearing this reference and this piece is further distinguished by its very rare hand-made gold bracelet, of which only a few examples exist. Highly skilled Swiss watchmakers were involved in the production of the watch, including Wenger (as the case-maker), and Victorin Piguet (responsible here for the perpetual calendar movement).

This watch has remained in the family of its original owner since its manufacture in 1954 and its outstanding condition shows the great care taken to maintain its original beauty (Lot 317, Est. CHF 200,000-400,000 / $205,000-410,000).

This unique and impressive perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch in platinum features white hour and minute hands. The only known example with this detail (which was made only upon special request), the watch’s white hands create a striking contrast with the black dial.

Patek Philippe’s reference 5970 was launched in Basel in 2004 and there are fewer than 25 examples known in platinum. The watch has never been offered at auction before, having remained in the hands of the original owner. Quite simply a unique piece, it would take pride of place in any fine watch collection (Lot 312, Est. CHF 100,000-200,000 / $ 103,000-205,000).

The reference 1436 holds a cherished position in the eyes of Patek Philippe collectors as the first split seconds chronograph produced in series by the manufacturer. Between 1938 and 1971, it is thought that only 140 pieces were made – equivalent to just four watches per year. The movement of this watch is stamped twice with Patek Philippe’s Geneva seal, a rare mark of special attention at the time and only added upon special request or for specific markets.

The present example, made in 1939, features applied gold Breguet numerals, a dial variation which is not only considered the most attractive, but also the rarest. The watch was commissioned as a gift by the mother of Edward Ford MacNichol, whose ancestors co-founded the Libbey-Owens-Ford Company, a glass producer which helped to create the enclosure for the United States Declaration of Independence (Lot 168, Est. CHF 120,000-180,000 / $123,000-185,000).

This important and rare Patek Philippe reference 1579 is one of the most complete and attractive examples of a vintage “South American” piece to come to auction. It was retailed by the legendary Freccero, based in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1949.

The distinctive angular “Spider lugs” on this reference make it one of Patek Philippe’s most iconic chronograph wristwatches. It is one of only seven examples of the watch to bear the Freccero signature. Of the seven, just two feature distinctive enamel baton indexes and it is highly unusual to find an example of this watch complete with its original presentation case and papers (Lot 167, Est. CHF 50,000-80,000 / $51,500-82,000).

This one-of-a-kind automatic wristwatch in yellow gold by Patek Philippe is potentially of unique historic significance: it is thought to be the first wristwatch made by the company to be fitted with a sapphire-crystal caseback, enabling the owner to see the renowned self-winding calibre 27-460. Given the watch’s vintage (mid-1960s), this feature is impressively ahead of its time – three decades later, case-backs in sapphire-crystal were adopted as standard.

This is the only known example in the world of reference 3439/1 with both the sapphire-crystal case-back and the specially-designed prototype slatecoloured ‘ardoise’ dial with white numerals and hands. Coming to auction for the first time and on behalf of the original owner, this watch by Patek Philippe presents a rare opportunity for collectors (Lot 309, Est. CHF 30,000-60,000 / $30,800-61,500).

RARE WRISTWATCHES FROM ROLEX
The sale on 15 November will include a fine selection of wristwatches from Rolex.

Named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, Rolex’s Daytona chronographs are especially sought-after by collectors if they feature so-called ‘Oyster’ features.

This particular example of the watch, reference 6239 made in 1965, boasts not only those features, but also the very rare “Paul Newman” dial – named in reference to the actor who is said to have worn his Rolex Daytona from 1972 to 2008 and known for its eye-catching art deco numerals (Lot 140, Est. CHF 60,000-80,000 - $61,500-82,000).

INDEPENDENT MANUFACTURERS
Showcasing the superior hand-finished movements for which Greubel Forsey is famous, this rare and impressive platinum wristwatch features the manufacturer’s “Tourbillon 24 secondes Incliné”. The tourbillon complication works to minimize the effects of gravity on the watch and gives the impression of being almost magically detached from the wheel train. It is mesmerising to view in action.

Thanks to the use of low-density alloys such as Avional and titanium, more common in aeronautics than in watchmaking, the tourbillon cage alone is comprised of 87 parts, yet weighs just 0.39 grams (Lot 171, Est. CHF 150,000-250,000 / $154,000-257,000).

STUNNING POCKET WATCHES
A selection of very fine pocket watches on offer will include this rare gold, enamel and pearl-set médaillon à tact from 1815. Within translucent blue enamel covers, the beautiful piece features a silvered eccentric dial with Roman numerals and blued steel moon hands (left).

The back is set with a gold arrow à tact hand (right). This watch was exhibited at the 1923 retrospective celebrating the centenary of Breguet’s death at the Musée Galliera in Paris (Lot 214, Est. CHF 40,000-60,000 / $ 41,000-61,500).

The sale on 15 November will also feature a captivating musical harp, enameled with gold and set with pearls. This exquisite piece dates from around 1800 and contains a highly sophisticated musical movement which is activated by a lever.

The brass plate movement features a pin barrel and stacked steel comb, accompanied by a two-colour gold key in the form of an Irish harp (Lot 141, Est. CHF 40,000-70,000 / $ 41,000-72,000).