Sneak previews of upcoming watch auctions are always a treat, so this writer RSVP’d “Yes!” to an invitation for the 8 June glimpse of Bonhams’ upcoming London sale. Taking place on 21 June, the auction’s stars include a number of period Breguet pocket watches and a “seriously rare Patek Philippe” Ref 5004P platinum manual wind split-second chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phase, Lot 60 with an estimated of £120,000-180,000. Rolex enthusiasts will keep an eye on Lot 152, a Comex Submariner estimated at £40,000-60,000, accompanied by a range of diving related material including rare photographs of the original diver-owner at work in the North Sea.
On the wrist of Jonathan Darracott, Global Head of Watches, was one of my favourites in the catalogue, a Patek Philippe Amagnetic in yellow gold, but in one of the showcases was an even tastier stainless steel version. Blessedly, I am not in any position to bid, so it’s one choice I won’t have to make.
Here are some of the pieces we were able to see, which leads me to an alert: If you’ve been hankering after a sport Heuer, especially an Autavia, or an Omega Seamaster 300, the are numerous examples of these hotter-than-hot watches on offer. And stick around for the last lot: a nicely patinated black-dial Rolex “Paul Newman” Cosmograph Ref 6262, with an estimate of £70,000-£90,000.
