REVIEW: WATCHES: 26 NOVEMBER

As anticipated, the top performing watch of this auction was a Rolex, but not the one expected. Taking everything into consideration, however, the hammer price – an almost treble high estimate £8,500 – was fully justified.

The piece in question was a stainless steel and gold-plated automatic wristwatch with honeycomb dial. A circa 1954, reference 6299, Explorer, it sported a silvered honeycomb dial, applied with Arabic numeral and dart indexes.

 

The stainless steel Oyster case was topped with a gold bezel and attached to a stainless steel and gold-plated expanding Oyster bracelet. Case, dial, movement and bracelet were all signed.

The accessories proved the icing on the cake: an Oyster guarantee and presentation case, as can be seen here.

A Patek Philippe lady’s gold bracelet watch with coral dial also did well. Ref. 4282/1 and circa 1970, the 18ct gold case had a rope-twist bezel and integral rope twist design bracelet – all signed. It sold over top estimate at £7,000.