Chatting to a colleague in the office kitchen on Monday morning started with the usual “How was your weekend?” I hadn’t done much, a bit of gardening, a visit to the recycling centre. He, on the other hand, had been at a classic car rally where every car was over 100 years old. Obviously, we talked about his weekend and not mine!
Looking at the photos on his phone, he shared that the vibe at this historical meet was quite different from the sportier events where Ferraris, Porsches, Mercedes, Alfa Romeos, and more race each other to the finish line.
This got me thinking about the vintage watch world where, on one hand, you have the highly collectible Patek Philippes, Rolexes, and Audemars Piguets that everyone fights over, and then on the other, you have the historical horological wonders that take you back to another time.
Calling Time on the Titanic
One such historical timepiece that recently caught my attention was a gold pocket watch sold by Henry Aldridge & Son in the U.K. For the most part, pocket watches don’t bring in the big money at auction, but this particular model happened to be in the pocket of businessman John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest passenger on the Titanic, when the luxury liner went down.
Astor was 47 years old at the time and had made sure his pregnant bride Madeleine was in a lifeboat, before smoking a last cigarette, and going down with the ship. The watch was retrieved from his body and was restored by his son Vincent who wore it most of his life. This incredible piece of history seduced the collectors in the room, resulting in a spectacular sale of £1.2m.
For Bridgerton Fans
During Antiquorum’s recent sale, I had the opportunity to take a look at some intriguing pieces before they went under the hammer. After admiring the “big tickers”, I was captivated by this carnet de bal case featuring an enamelled portrait of its owner and a tiny timepiece from around the year 1780. This intriguing object featured three ivory dance cards where the dances could be noted along with the signatures of the gentlemen who had reserved them. Fans of the Netflix series Bridgerton will immediately be able to transport themselves into this era. In an age where dating involves swiping left and right, this bejewelled timekeeper from this mystery young woman just filled me with wonder. It sold for CHF 8,750.
A Renaissance Table Clock
Another historical object from times past came in the form of this extremely rare gilt-bronze, manual-wind, drum-shaped table clock. Antiquorum’s Director and Watch Expert Etienne Lemenager kindly wound it up for me and its strong ticking turned heads in Antiquorum’s busy showroom. Imagining the stories that this clock could tell sent shivers down my spine. It sold for CHF 21,250.
There is something about historical timekeepers that deserves more attention, in my humble opinion. Like the 100-year-old cars that are still taking part in rallies, these ticking timekeepers truly make the past come alive.
