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otheby’s New York is pleased to offer a great selection of watches for ladies and gentlemen at every price point. From classic Rolex Day-Dates, to lady’s cocktail watches, browse our Fine Watches auction open for bidding from 3 -15 June.
In 1955, Patek Philippe teamed up with an unlikely designer. Gilbert Albert was a Geneva based jeweler aged only 25 years old when he joined the Patek Philippe design team. A talented artist as well as jeweler, Albert was inspired by the works by Brancusi and Mondrian and incorporated their works into his avant-garde designs. Probably the most recognizable, iconic and popular of his designs for Patek is his asymmetrically cased reference 3424. Its an icon of 20th century design, both unconventional and elegant and as fresh today as it was when first launched at the Basel Fair in 1959. It is thought that only circa 90 were produced in yellow gold, 30 in pink, 18 in white gold and 24 in platinum. The stunning cases to the watches was made by Markowski (Geneva Key 8) and housed a caliber 8”’85, 18 jeweled manual wound movement. The majority wore a Stern Freres made dial, constructed from gold with satin silvered finish with sector indexes.
The present watch is especially unusual not only in that it is cased in white gold, but also that it features a lapis lazuli dial. Such examples are highly collectible and rarely appear in auction.
The cocktail watch exemplifies the pomp and circumstance of the golden age of Hollywood. Feminine silhouettes were heightened by diamonds, precious stones, and bold shapes. From the 1940’s to more contemporary offerings, scroll below to see a wide range of elegant cocktail watches for your special occasions.
