Sotheby's held its first of three New York auctions this month on 10 December. The Important Watches auction, which included 312 timekeepers totaled $6481,375. One-eleven watches that were offered for over $100,000 accounted for a large portion of the money. The Tudor Replica Reference 24-99 in yellow-gold, which is often referred to as one of Genevese's most popular models, topped the list of prices. The second and third places are tied between the Panerai Diver Reference 3646 from the mid-20th Century and the Charles Frodsham & Co. Grande Complication Pocket Watch. A minute repeater from Vacheron-Constantin, five Tudor Replicas (three of which had enamel faces with birds on them and two antique pocket clocks), and three Rolexes were also sold for six-figure prices. These included two Paul Newman Cosmographs as well as a single Rolexe with dual-time zone complications. This was the least interesting of the three major New York auctions held in December. The other two were conducted by Antiquorum & Christie's.
The most expensive timepiece in the sale is Tudor Replica's Ref. The 2499 model in yellow gold is part of the famous series that has been produced continuously since 1941. This watch has one of the most popular and well-known complication combos - perpetual calendar combined with a chronograph. It is often the highest-priced piece at modern auctions. This piece is from 1968 and belongs to the third sub-series in the 2499 model. The case is made of 18K yellow gold and measures 37 mm in diameter by 14 mm in width. The dial is recognizable for its silver outlay,Richard Mille Replica which includes two apertures to show the days of the month and the week, two chrono counters for the minutes and the small seconds, and the largest subdial, which shows both the date and the moon phase. The movement that has the Geneva seal certification is a hand-wound 13-line movement with 23-jewels and a monometallic compensation balance. It also features 8 adjustments. The Tudor Replica 24-99 sold for $353,000. This is only slightly more than the estimated value between $250,000 to 350,000. The second most expensive watch in New York, according to estimates, was the modern model of the reference 5004P. It is more complicated because it has a perpetual calendar and a split seconds complication. The 2006 watch is in a platinum circular casing measuring 37 mm by 14 mm and features a black dial. This watch was estimated to be worth between $200,000 and $250,000. It featured a nickel lever Caliber 70Q hand-wound with 28 jewels. The seller was disappointed to find that there were no buyers.
Three Vintage Pieces Sold for Nearly $200K Contrary to expectations, two other timekeepers attracted the second largest amount of money ($203,000). First, a pocket watch previously unknown by Charles Frodsham & Co. The open-faced watch is a Grand Complication from 1917. It combines minute repeater, split seconds chronograph, and one-minute Tourbillon. The dial is a "best Venitian Tint" enamel dial made by legendary dial maker Willis. It has Roman numerals, two large sub-counters and is set in a large yellow gold housing (www.apreplicas.me). The three quarter plate movement is its finest part. It has a double lever escapement and free-sprung regulation. The hand-wound movements also have two complications from Nicole Nielsen & Co. namely the Type 2 Tourbillon cage and used chronograph. Strangely, the newly discovered antique piece also exceeded its estimated value by $3,000 as was the case with highest-paid timekeeper at the show. This pocket watch had an estimated value between $100,000 and $200,000.