The Watches and Wristwatches auction organized by Bonhams included an exclusive selection of 268 watches from the best watch brands chosen according to their condition, rarity and quality. Total sale including costs : 777 502 $ USD, selling more than 80% of the lots presented.
BEST RESULTS
Lot 51 : Josiah Emery, open face pocket watch with early lever escapement from the Estate of the 3rd Viscount Churchill and numbered 1075, sold for 150 870 $ USD.
Lot 4 : Grant, 18k gold key wind open face chronometer pocket watch used and owned by the explorer James Weddell, vendue 24 075 $ USD.
BEST PERFORMANCES
Lot 7 : Unsigned, gilt and enamel key wind open face pocket watch made for the Eastern market, dated 1850, or 1 104% variation between the low estimate and the final result (7 704 $ USD).
Lot 12 : Czapek i Spólka, W Genewie, 18k gold key wind open face pocket watch, or 435% variation between the low estimate and the final result (4 815 $ USD).
Lot 250 : IWC ref. 3795, Aquaracer ’50 Years Science for Galapagos’ model,black DLC coated automatic calendar chronograph wristwatch, or 369% variation between the low estimate and the final result (6 099 $ USD).
BREAKDOWN BY BRANDS
Josiah Emery
On the first step of the podium, with a watch having exceeded 100 000 $ USD, average per lot 150 870 $ USD. A result based on the highest bid of the sale with lot 51.
Rolex
On the second step of the podium, with a watch above 10 000 $ USD, average per lot 3 012 $ USD.
Patek Philippe
On the third step of the podium, with a watch having exceeded the 10 000 $ USD mark, average per lot 3 836 $ USD.
These three brands represent a total revenue of 310 805 $ USD, or nearly 40% of the total sale.
AVERAGE PRICE PER LOT
Based on the number of lots, 268 in total, including 47 unsold lots, the average price of a lot was 3 518 $ USD.
CONCLUSION
A local auction that shows some strong interest for english pocket watches where the biggest market share goes to an english watchmaker, nonetheless Patek Philippe and Rolex are still having a big market share just like in any other parts of the world.
