Bonhams Fine Watches Auction: Our Top Picks
Later on this week Bonhams will host its first watch auction of 2018. The British auction house has decided to spare no expense with its opening watch auction and has organised to hold the sale at one of the worlds most grand auction halls, the Grand Palais in Paris.
Friday’s ‘Fine Watches’ auction will coincide with the annual Grandes Marques du Monde classic and collectors’ motorcars sale, and will feature a variety of diamond encrusted, vintage and sporty timepieces that are guaranteed to send passionate collectors and connoisseurs into an excited frenzy.
To get you warmed up for the event, we’ve chosen four of our top ‘stand out’ pieces.
Lot 13 TAG Heuer – Mikrotimer Flying 1000
Bonhams, ‘an exceptionally rare black coated automatic micrograph’
The TAG Heur Mikrotimer Flying 1000 is probably the most unique timepiece of this week’s auction. This particular watch (and the rare TAG ‘Turbina Carbon’ lot 14), is from the collection of Zef Eisenberg, the world land speed champion of the MadMax race team.
The TAG’s black and grey-ridged dial includes outer 1000th second indication, inner 5-second recording and a 5 second revolutions sub dial located at 6 o’clock. The sporty watch features a neon yellow baton 1000th second chronograph hand and large neon ‘1000’ at 12 o’clock. This watch is unique in appearance and functions, the Mikrotimer Flying 1000 would be perfect for motorbike and watch enthusiasts.
- Date: Circa 2011
- Case: 18K rose gold
- Size: 46 mm
- Accompaniments: Original box, guarantee card, chronometer guarantee
- Estimate: £19,000- £31,000
Lot 36 Blancpain – Edition No.31/50, Ref: 0222-3600-53B, Circa 2010
Bonhams, ‘a very fine and rare 18K rose gold manual wind carrousel wristwatch’
This unique Blancpain piece features a transparent sapphire glass allowing the sophisticated movement to be visible for the entire world to admire. The solid and smooth 18K rose gold case complements the exposed dial, further adding to its modern aesthetics.
The manual wind movement has been fashioned with sapphire plates and a fine one-minute carousel with index to ensure a smooth rotation speed. At just eight years old, this watch is in immaculate condition. The black signed rubber strap, 43mm 18K polished case and translucent dial guarantees that this stunning timepiece will ‘spice up’ several private watch collections.
- Date: Circa 2010
- Case: 18K rose gold
- Size: 43 mm
- Accompaniments: Original box, instruction manual, certificate, guarantee card
- Estimate: £43,000- £49,000
Lot 33 Breguet – Ref. 5447
Bonhams, ‘a very fine and rare manual wind minute repeating’
The grand auctions most expensive lot is this beautiful and rare platinum Breguet. The classic looking timepiece features an attractive smooth rounded platinum case, a patterned silvered dial with three subdials, a semicircle day indicator and moon phase indication.
Accompanied with a stylish black alligator leather Breguet signed strap, this exquisite piece would be the perfect dress watch for an evening out.
- Date: Circa 2006
- Case: Platinum
- Size: 41 mm
- Estimate: £71,000- £89,000
Lot 18 Omega – Seamaster 300, Ref: 165.024
Bonhams, ‘a stainless steel military issue automatic wristwatch’
Although this particular Omega 300 Seamaster does not feature the incredibly desirable ‘large triangles’ at 12 and 6 o’clock, collectors should nevertheless, pay strict attention to this fascinating watch.
The automatic timepiece features large luminous baton hour markers, sword hands with luminous inserts and Arabic numeral quarters. At 42mm the vintage omega is a chunky watch that is secured to the wrist by a black and grey striped ‘NATO’ strap, appropriate for a military watch!
- Date: Circa 1967
- Case: Stainless steel
- Size: 42 mm
- Estimate: £22,000- £31,000
To view the full ‘Montres De Collection’ catalogue click here.
Bonhams’ upcoming auctions in Paris and London are especially for those collectors or one-off-purchasers who enjoy traditional vintage watches. If you’re interested in Bonhams’ upcoming London auction, click here to view the full lot catalogue, which contains timepieces from the likes of Cartier, Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega and many more.
The 2018 watch auction year has officially begun!
(Credit for all photos: Bonhams)