At the watches, wristwatches and clocks auction at Bonhams on December 8, there was active and determined bidding from around the globe, possibly in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. The sale’s 163 lots achieved a sale total of $1.58 million, which includes a world record that was surpassed and achieved by a stunning Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch Ref 5020P.
Jonathan Snellenburg, director of watches at Bonhams, stated, “We were pleased to have such an enthusiastic presence in the auction room, as well as from online bidders. A lot of interest was generated during our preview tour of highlights in Hong Kong, which was reflected in our results.”
Taking the top honors of the sale was the world-record-breaking Patek Philippe chronograph Ref 5020P. The top lot of the sale, claiming $338,500 was a rare platinum cushion-form perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch.
The second top lot of the sale was a Patek Philippe rare 18K rose gold chronograph wristwatch, Ref 5070R, retailed by Tiffany & Co., claiming $104,500.
Elsewhere in the sale, five of the top lots came from a private collection of 25 highly sought-after watches. From this particular collection the top lots include a Vacheron Constantin 18K rose gold tourbillon wristwatch, selling for $80,500; a Breguet 18K gold tourbillon wristwatch realizing $74,500; a Patek Philippe 18K rose gold chronograph Ref 5070R fetching $68,500; a Patek Philippe automatic center seconds wristwatch Ref 5056P bringing $35,000; and a Ulysse Nardin gold automatic wristwatch with a planispheric astrolabe going out at $27,500.
Also in the top ten were two rare chronographs by Rolex that embody 1960s car racing and film legend Paul Newman. The first was a rare Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman 14K gold chronograph and bracelet, which claimed $84,100. The other was also a rare Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newman Rolex in stainless steel at $63,700.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
For more information, www.bonhams.com or 212-644-9001.
