PREVIEW: WATCHES: 25 NOVEMBER

Considerable ‘wrist power’ will be on show in this auction with rare examples from the finest watchmakers, including Rolex and Breitling.

A rare white gold automatic Rolex Daytona ‘Panda Dial’ chronograph wristwatch dating to around 2009 is one of the most desirable and luxurious models the company have produced, having been made in the Rolex in-house foundry.

Crafted from the finest 18ct white gold, with a silvered dial applied with Arabic numerals and black subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour registers, this iconic design was first made famous by the rare 1970’s Rolex ‘Paul Newman’ models. It is powered by the automatic caliber 4130, Rolex’s first in-house produced chronograph movement which they revealed in 2000.
It comes with its guarantee card dated 2011, instruction booklet, swing tag, presentation case, and outer card box. The estimate is £18,000-26,000.

A circa 2005 Rolex stainless steel Daytona automatic chronograph wristwatch comes with a black dial, applied baton indexes, engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds, and 30-minutes and 12-hour registers. It has guide of £10,000-15,000.

An unusual circa 1960 Rolex Haute Precision lady’s gold and diamond-set cocktail watch with concealed dial is another eye-catching piece. With manual winder and a silvered dial, with applied dot, baton and Arabic indexes, it has an 18ct gold, snap-on back, with reeded tapered hinged dial cover, diamond-set lugs, and a domed-formed articulated bracelet, as well as an engraved inscription to the back. It is expected to sell for £4,600-5,000.

One of the most spectacular pieces in the sale is a Breitling Flying B white gold and diamond-set rectangular wristwatch with jumping hours. Dating to around 2011, the Flying B model was part of the longstanding collaboration between Bentley Motors and Breitling. It was named after the ‘Winged B’ emblem of Bentley which represents the exhilaration of motion and harks back to Bentley’s background in designing fighter plane engines during the World War I. A rectangular timepiece, it is a perfect example of unparalleled luxury and elegance with its unusual jumping hour hand feature and diamond-set dial and case. It comes with its chronometer certificate, diamond certificate, spare links and presentation case and has an estimate of £12,000-18,000.

A c.2005 limited edition gold dual time Blancpain automatic wristwatch is another highlight. With date, alarm, 24-hour indication and power reserve, this Léman Réveil GMT model, no 31/270, is the result of Blancpain’s ambitions of creating a sophisticated travel watch with two time zones, quick time/date adjustment and a high quality alarm function. This piece is part of a limited edition of just 270 watches produced to commemorate Blancpain’s 270th anniversary. It has a guide of £6,000-8,000.