Cartier Ballon Bleu Large Men's Watch W69006Z2

Geneva - Christie's are delighted to present one of the finest selections of watches that have even been offered for sale at the firm. The group of more than 380 lots will be auctioned on November 16 in Geneva and is estimated to fetch more than SFr.10 million in total, of which SFr.3-4 million is forecast for an exceptional collection of 10 vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches. The sale will also include a wide range of exquisite watches manufactured from the 18th to 21st centuries by the most renowned houses in the world, such as Rolex, Cartier, A. Lange & Söhne, Breguet and F.P. Journe, the vast majority of which are fresh to the market and sourced from distinguished private collections.

A connoisseur's vision: 10 masterpieces from one of the world's most significant private collections of vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches
Aurel Bacs, International Co-Head of the Watches Department: "A stunning group of 10 vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches dating from 1938 to 1982 will highlight Christie's Geneva Important Watches Auction. Kept in a safe for almost 20 years, their extraordinary quality and perfect state of conservation makes each of them a real treasure. Each piece can be considered a milestone in the production of the renowned Swiss maison in the 20th century. Offered from one of the most distinguished watch collections in the world, these 10 masterpieces are expected to fetch SFr. 3-4 million."

The catalogue for this sale, which is one of the most balanced both in terms of signatures and categories, will also feature a large number of other important pieces by Patek Philippe, such as the automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, one of only two known examples of this model in platinum, which is estimated SFr.500,000-800,000.

A rich selection of wristwatches by Rolex is highlighted by two rare pieces both dated 1950: an extremely rare automatic pink gold triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases (Estimate: SFr.250,000-350,000) and an automatic triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases in stainless steel (Estimate: SFr.100,000-150,000). Rolex collectors will also appreciate the Oyster Cosmograph Daytona stainless steel chronograph wristwatch made for the Peruvian Airforce in 1975 (estimate: SFr.20,000-30,000, illustrated left) and another very rare gold wristwatch Oyster, Observatory Chronometer, "Kew A Certificate", manufactured in 1954 and estimated SFr.20,000- 30,000.

Among the most important signature watches is the elegant and rare pink gold rectangular twin barrel 8-days wristwatch by Cartier manufactured in 1941 and estimated at SFr.80,000-120,000. The highlight of this watch is its 8-day movement, more commonly found in pocket watches, clocks or travel timepieces, allowing it to run for eight days once fully wound. To this end, the movement is fitted with two mainsprings assuring its function over such a comparatively long period of time. The watch is also one of the most beautiful and best preserved examples of an early "Tank Allongee" wristwatch by Cartier to be offered in public in recent years. The rare pink gold case material combined with a highly unusual movement and excellent overall condition renders it a true collector's piece.
A group of attractive and important 21st century watches will also be offered. Despite its young age, the Lange 1 Tourbillon model by A. Lange & Söhne, a platinum limited edition twin barrel one minute tourbillon wristwatch with oversized date and power reserve, is already a classic of horology (Estimate: SFr.120,000- 190,000, illustrated left). This is also true for the very fine and rare platinum automatic tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoir, power reserve, pink gold and silver dial, manufactured in 2002 by F.P. Journe (Estimate: SFr.40,000-60,000).
Certainly one of the most unusual lots of this sale is a precious gilt metal singing bird box by Breguet, which was manufactured in 1954 and is estimated at SFr.20,000- 30,000.