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Six Superb Modern and Vintage Timepieces

Omega, a stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with pulsation dial mvt 9388105 case 9978533 circa 1939
Launch Slideshow

The Watches auction in London on 25 September presents a carefully curated selection of both modern and vintage timepieces at a spectrum of price points. With a clear focus on quality, condition and rarity the sale will offer watches that are bound to appeal to both the novice and connoisseur alike. Here, Sotheby’s Watches specialist Benoit Colson has selected his favourite highlights from the upcoming sale. Click ahead to see his choices.

Past Auction
Watches
25 September 2018 | 2:00 PM BST | London

Six Superb Modern and Vintage Timepieces

  • Omega, a stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with pulsation dial mvt 9388105 case 9978533 circa 1939
    Omega, A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Pulsation Dial, Mvt 9388105, Case 9978533, circa 1939. Estimate £10,000–15,000.
    For a piece to achieve "collectible status", it has to meet at least three criteria; quality, rarity and beauty. Clearly, the present lot achieves and exceeds these requirements. In terms of quality, the movement is the celebrated calibre 33.3. It was created by ‘Lemania Watch Orient’ in 1933. Very precise and highly reliable, the calibre 33.3 CHRO is greatly admired and sought-after by collectors. The impressive size of the stainless steel case equipped with olive pushers, combined with the most attractive black dial featuring three scales make this piece a rare beauty.
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  • Audemars Piguet Limited Edition Royal Oak
    Audemars Piguet, A Limited Edition Forged Carbon, Cermet and Titanium Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers and Date, No 321/500, Case H21280, Royal Oak Offshore Jarno Trulli, circa 2010. Estimate £12,000–18,000.
    This limited edition of 500 pieces celebrates the famous Italian racing driver. It is particularly attractive thanks to the combination of three different materials, forged carbon, cermet and titanium, to the construction of the case. The different shades of grey of the case and the dial are complemented by the red hands and indexes. The sapphire crystal display back is decorated by Jarno's signature in red as well.
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  • Rolex, A Stainless Steel Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet, Ref 1680, Case 3843458, 'Red' Submariner, circa 1974
    Rolex, A Stainless Steel Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet, Ref 1680, Case 3843458, 'Red' Submariner, circa 1974. Estimate £8,000–12,000.
    The Reference 1680 was launched in 1966 as the first Submariner model to feature a date aperture. Some early and highly collectible 1680 models, including this example, featured the 'Submariner' in red lettering. Dials were later standardised, rendering these early configurations highly sought-after. The present Submariner is particularly desirable thanks to the consistent patina of its attractive Mark IV dial and hands, silvered disk date and nicely faded insert with fat font numerals. Furthermore, the piece was carefully serviced by Rolex just over a year ago and comes with its presentation case, tag and service guarantee.
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  • Patek Philippe, A Yellow Gold Automatic Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch with Moon Phases, Ref 3940, Mvt 770644, Case 2841338, Made in 1987
    Patek Philippe, A Yellow Gold Automatic Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch with Moon Phases, Ref 3940, Mvt 770644, Case 2841338, Made in 1987. Estimate £15,000–25,000.
    The reference 3940 was produced over a period of twenty years, from about 1986 to 2007. It is considered as the classic automatic perpetual calendar manufactured by Patek Philippe. The design was so well received and timeless that it was preserved by its successor, the reference 5140, the subtle differences of the latter were nearly indiscernible. The present lot is from the early production and is offered in good condition further accompanied by its original certificate and presentation case.
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  • Rolex, A Very Rare Stainless Steel Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Bracelet and Tropical Dial, Ref 6538, No 448969, 'Big Crown' Submariner, circa 1959
    Property of the Family of the Original Owner. Rolex, A Very Rare Stainless Steel Centre Seconds Wristwatch with Bracelet and Tropical Dial, Ref 6538, No 448969, 'Big Crown' Submariner, circa 1959. Estimate £70,000–120,000.
    Introduced in 1955, the Ref 6538 was not the very first example of the Submariner that Rolex ever released, but it was a successive part of the evolutionary process following the 6204, the 6205 and the 6200. However, the reference 6538 is certainly one of the best known and most sought-after by collectors. Most know it by its nicknames, either the 'Big crown' or 'Coroncione' in Italian due to the large crown without the guards, or the 'James Bond', thanks to its appearance in the film, 'Dr No.'
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  • Rolex, A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers and Bracelet, Ref 6239, Case 1196048 Daytona, circa 1965. Estimate £20,000–30,000.
    The reference 6239 is the "original" Rolex Daytona. Introduced in 1963 in America and in 1964 in Europe, the watch was available until 1969. This watch is powered by the calibre 72B movement which was used during the first period of the models production (1963-1965). The present lot is also characteristic of the early models with a round profile as opposed later slightly curved shape by the winding crown, which was introduced around 1966. Furthermore, the dial is simply signed 'Rolex Cosmograph'. The word 'Daytona' started to be printed on the dial around 1965. As such, this lot is one of the last one produced with it.
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