On 22 March, Dubai – Christie’s will present the Important Watches auction, a compact offering of 177 lots, with a pre-sale estimate of $9,000,000 to $15,000,000, building on the company’s leadership as the first international auction house to begin selling from Dubai in 2007.
The forthcoming Christie’s sale includes various single owner collections, and a line-up of vintage Rolex Daytona, vintage perpetual calendars and chronographs by Patek Philippe, as well as the largest selection of modern high complication ever offered in a Dubai watch auction.
A moment not to be missed by watch enthusiasts is a unique Patek Philippe reference 1491 chronograph presented for the first time in the Middle East. Altered for a prominent and faithful client of Patek Philippe in 1942, the case had been enlarged, using the movement of the watch, which was made in 1937. It is, however, the highly unusual dial design which impresses with its oversize 30-minute register, the largest known on a 13 lines Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch. Presumably, this order was placed by a sports commentator who repeatedly needed the minute counter and who specifically asked for this oversize design (estimate $500,000-1,000,000).
From the “White Khanjar” Daytona series made for the Sultan of Oman, the Rolex reference 6265 was to be presented as a token of appreciation. The present watch was made circa 1979 and its receiver has kept the original box as well as a personalized card from His Majesty, the Sultan in an envelope stamped with the Khanjar emblem (estimate: $ 250,000-450,000). In the early 1970s, the Sultan regularly ordered various Rolex models which he presented as gifts to the members of the British Special Forces, SAS, who had successfully assisted him between 1970 and1976. The dials of these watches featured the Khanjar symbol predominantly in ed and white, with a few examples in gold or green.
Reference 1463, the only vintage Patek Philippe chronograph model with screw back case and round pushers, is without question one of the most iconic and noble sports watches. The present watch is a fine example of this paragon of post war design, distinguished by its attractive and original overall condition (estimate: $550,000-850,000).
The selection of watches made by Contemporary Masters is led by a unique piece, made on special order by the Atelier Cabinotiers of Vacheron Constantin in 2011. It is a double-faced perpetual calendar tourbillon minute repeater wristwatch with zodiac and day/night indication and comes with its presentation box and full paper work (estimate: $350,000-650,000).
Produced in a limited edition of 50 pieces in platinum, reference 5130P by Patek Philippe is a homage to the UAE and to Dubai as center of the World Time. The watch was exclusively produced and retailed by the famous Dubai retailer Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, to mark their 60 year-long partnership (estimate: $120,000-220,000).
By Hublot, Audemars Piguet and Graff are three of the most important watches with diamonds to be offered in the auction.
Auction Date: 22 March at 5.00pm
Viewing: Tuesday 19 March 2.00pm to 8.00pm, Wednesday 20 March 10.00am to 10.00pm, Thursday 21 March 10.00am to 8.00pm and Friday 22 March 10.00am to 4.00pm
Location: Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
