Press release
Sotheby's autumn sale of Important Watches on Sunday 13 November 2011 will be spearheaded by the “Clarin Mustad 1518” - a unique Patek Philippe Reference 1518 chronograph (est. CHF 800,000-1,200,000/ $890,000-1,330,000) and two Rolex wristwatches that belonged to leaders of the post-World War II era.
The first of these historical pieces is an exceptionally rare Rolex Oyster Perpetual, dating from circa 1948 and possibly offered to the first President of the Republic of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad on the occasion of the inauguration of the Indian Republic on 26 January 1950. Estimated at CHF 200,000-400,000 ($222,000-444,000), this watch is decorated with the map of India in champlevé enamel and has never appeared on the market.
The second - an 18K yellow gold automatic centre seconds wristwatch (ref. 6305/1) was presented to the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer in 1955. It has been by kept in its original condition by the Chancellor's descendants and appears for the first time on the market with an estimate of CHF 60,000-80,000/ $66,500-89,000. Engraved on the back with Konrad Adenauer's name, this great piece of history is accompanied by its original leather folder and a letter dated 16 September 1955 from Rolex's founder Hans Wilsdorf to the German Chancellor.
Tracing the development of watchmaking from 1574 to the present day, the sale will comprise iconic pieces from pivotal moments in horological history, from very fine examples of Renaissance watches to highly complicated modern wristwatches, through luxurious pocket watches made for the Chinese, Ottoman, India and Hispanic markets in the 19th century.
Featuring 270 lots estimated in excess of CHF 8 million, the sale will also include a large selection of rare vintage and modern wristwatches by the most prestigious watchmakers of the 20th and 21st centuries.
More information on the auction
