Antiquorum Sale To Feature Enamelled 19th Century Chinese Pocket Watches, Patek Philippe, And Rolex

Rare enameled pocket watches from 19th century China will be a major feature of Antiquorum's "Important Collector's Wristwatches, Pocket Watches, and Horological Tools" sale, which will take place on November 15-16, 2008 at Geneva's Grand Hotel Kempinski.   Among the group of nine pieces made for the Chinese market are an example in gold and enamel with automaton work, dating to 1810 and a matched pair of pocket watches which King George III gave to Chinese Emperor Jiaqing in 1816.

A number of exceptional watches from Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Glashutte will also be presented by Antiquorum.   Among the notable Patek Philippe references include an 18K gold Grande Complication pocket watch (Ref. 959) from 1990, a Ref. 844 pocket watch with minute repeater and perpetual calendar which carries an estimate of 100,000-150,000 Swiss Francs.  Patek Philippe wristwatches are represented by a Ref. 530 bi-compax chronograph in pink gold, and a particularly fine pink gold Ref. 2497 perpetual calendar with moon phases, circa 1953, that is expected to fetch between 400,000 and 600,000 Swiss Francs.  

Notable Rolex watches include a Ref. 5514 COMEX Submariner from 1977 that has a pre-sale estimate of 55,000-75,000 Swiss Francs, a stainless steel Cosmograph Ref. 6264 with a pulsometer scale (Estimate: 150,000-200,000 Swiss Francs), and an 18K gold Oyster Perpetual chronometer which Rolex presented as a gift to Swiss General Henri Guisan in 1945.  

Other sale highlights include a Glashutte pocket watch with flying tourbillon escapement, expected to fetch between 200,000 and 250,000 Swiss Francs, and the diverse Chapiro collection--a private assemblage of timepieces that includes many notable pocket watches with unusual escapements and complications from the 17th through the 20th century.  

Prior to the sale, Antiquorum will hold previews in Taipei (Oct. 25-26), Hong Kong (Oct. 28-29), Shanghai (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), and Geneva (Nov. 13-15).   To view the Antiquorum press release, please click here.