Patek Philippe’s Ref 5723 Nautilus, A Pink Gold and Diamond-Set Bracelet Watch with Date and Pink Dial, circa 2014 highlights a selection of 15 Nautilus wristwatches (pictured right, estimate $200/300,000). The Ref 5723 represents the firm’s desire to create highly exclusive models further embellished with precious stones. Appearing at auction for the first time, the iconic sports watch is rendered with baguette diamonds, diamond indexes and a rare pink dial. The offering of Nautilus wristwatches are further highlighted by the Ref 5711/1P Nautilus, A Platinum Automatic Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet Made to Commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Nautilus circa 2016 (estimate $150/300,000). To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus in 2016, the firm produced a limited edition of 700 watches enhanced with an embossed logo at 6 o'clock reading "40 1976-2016", and diamond-set hour markers.

TIMEPIECES WITH OUTSTANDING PROVENANCE

The sale offers a number of watches with exceptional provenance, including a Mellerio Pink Gold Rectangular Wristwatch, circa 1975, previously in the collection of actress Carrie Fisher, most famous for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, among other iconic turns (estimate $10/15,000); a Patek Philippe Ref 2508, A Stainless Steel Center Seconds Wristwatch, made in 1955, on offer from the collection of classical guitarist Angel Romero (estimate $70/90,000); and a Rolex Ref 1675 GMT-Master, A Stainless Steel Automatic Dual Time Wristwatch with Date and Bracelet, circa 1972, on offer from photographer Michael Ginsburg, who worked as a photojournalist for renowned publications such as New York Magazine, Life, and Newsweek, and as a stills photographer on the sets of major motion pictures (estimate $12/18,000). Wearing his Rolex GMT-Master, he immortalized iconic scenes from films such as Ghostbusters (1984), The Big Chill (1983), and The Warriors (1979), among many others.   

VINTAGE ROLEX WRISTWATCHES

Vintage wristwatches by Rolex are highlighted by a Ref 5508 Submariner ‘Small Crown’, A Stainless Steel Automatic Center Seconds Wristwatch with Bracelet, circa 1958 (estimate $120/220,000). Manufactured between 1958 and 1962, the reference 5508 was the last Submariner to be made without crown guards and carry a depth rating of 100m. Part of the ‘James Bond’ family of Submariners, reference 5508 is distinguished from the 6538 by its smaller crown.

Also on offer is the Ref 6036, A Stainless Steel Triple Calendar Chronograph  Wristwatch, circa 1952 (estimate $150/250,000). Associated with the legendary French Olympic gold medal winning skier, Rolex Ambassador and board member Jean-Claude Killy, the watch housed a Valjoux 72C movement, considered one of the most sophisticated and complex movements ever to be used by Rolex. The present example descended through the family of the original owner, and has never appeared at auction.

Produced for a limited time between 1965 and 1969, the Ref 6240 ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona, A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet, circa 1967 was the first water resistant Cosmograph ‘Daytona’ (estimate $200/300,000). The present watch retains its original screw-down pushers, and retains its highly attractive ‘Paul Newman’ exotic dial.

IMPRESSIVE COMPLICATED WRISTWATCHES

The sale is rounded out by impressive complicated watches, highlighted by the Cartier Ref 3367 Calibre de Cartier Grand Complication, A Platinum Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar Single-Button Chronograph Wristwatch with Eight Day Power Reserve circa 2011, belonging to a limited run of 25 pieces (estimate $80/120,000); A Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Spherotourbillon, A Limited Edition Platinum Dual Time Zone Tourbillon Wristwatch with Date and Flyback Seconds circa 2012 (estimate $80/120,000); and an Audemars Piguet Ref 26470PT.00.1000PT.01 Royal Oak Offshore, A Very Heavy Limited Edition Platinum and Ceramic Chronograph Bracelet Watch with Date, circa 2017 (estimate $70/90,000). Released in 2017 at SIHH in Geneva, the rare watch is one of only 50 pieces made.