A Bonhams sale of Fine Watches and Wristwatches in London yesterday fetched a total of £1.74 million ($2.21 million) and was a success from start to finish, the auction house said.

Auctioneer James Knight presided over a busy New Bond Street saleroom and telephone bidders dialled in from across the globe. Internet bidding was particularly fierce during the sale, illustrating the international appeal of the range of timepieces offered by Bonhams.

The top lot of the sale was a very fine and rare platinum manual wind split second chronograph wristwatch with perpetual calendar and moon phase by Patek Philippe which sold for £161,000 ($204,100).

Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams Global Head of Watches, commented: ‘We were thrilled to see the Patek Philippe achieving such a considerable sum, which just goes to prove the continued growth in demand for fine, rare examples from the very best watchmakers. The auction attracted competitive international bidding which reflected the huge variety and strength of the sale.’

The second most valuable lot of the day was from Blancpain. A unique and exceptionally fine platinum tourbillon minute repeating perpetual calendar split second chronograph wristwatch with moonphase and power reserve Le Brassus Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeater sold for £125,000 ($158,400) to an international internet bidder.


ROLEX TICKS ALL THE BOXES

Pieces from Rolex performed well throughout the sale, with 50 per cent of the top ten lots sold coming from the Swiss manufacturer. Of particular note was a fine and rare stainless steel manual wind chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ by Rolex which achieved £81,250 ($103,000). 

Among others, an18-karat gold manual wind chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph sold in the room for £51,250 ($64,975), a 14-karat gold manual wind chronograph bracelet wristwatch achieved £50,000 ($63,390), an 18-karat gold automatic chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph sold for £50,000 ($63,390), a rare 18-karat gold manual wind chronograph wristwatch Pre-Daytona sold to a telephone bidder for £47,500 ($60,220) and a fine and rare stainless steel manual wind chronograph bracelet watch Cosmograph achieved £35,000 ($44,373). 

The sale included several early pieces by Abraham Louis Breguet, arguably the best known Horologist of his time.  Several Breguet examples caught the attention of the crowd, including a very fine and rare platinum manual wind tourbillon wristwatch with power reserve and diurnal indication which sold for £40,000 ($50,712) and a fine and rare silver and gold quarter repeating full hunter pocket watch with lever escapements, circa 1820 which achieved £36,500 ($46,274).

Other highlights included an early Cartier lady’s white gold, diamond and seed pearl set manual wind bracelet watch achieved more than five times its pre-sale estimate, selling for £21,250 ($2,940).

The Bonhams watch department will hold its next sale on September 12 at the Knightsbridge saleroom on Montpelier St.