AUCTION PREVIEW:

The Top Lots to Watch at Tomorrow’s John Moran “Rare and Important Timepieces” Auction


John Moran Auctioneers will host a session of Rare and Important Timepieces all taken from the hands of a single private collector tomorrow morning. The 123 watches up for bid range from vintage 19th-century pocket watches to contemporary models from brands like Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne, and Rolex.

George C. Shreve & Co. pocket watch for Patek Philippe & co., circa 1885, 18K gold, est.: $20,000/30,000

The list of noteworthy pocket watches includes a number of Railroad Grade models dating from the late 19th through the turn of the 20th century and beyond, many by Ball Watch Co. A circa 1902 Ball Watch Co. Railroad Grade pocket watch featuring a Keystone case with floral engraving will head to the block with a $6,000 to $9,000 auction estimate. The earliest example offered by the maker is a Ball & Co. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers pocket watch, Series VIII, Grade IX with a special dial dating to 1893. The 1893 example is expected to bring between $2,000 and $4,000.

Patek Philippe & Co. wristwatch, circa 1975, 18K gold self-winding perpetual date, est.: $60,000/90,000

Other fun finds include a San Francisco gold rush watch dating to 1850 made by early San Francisco jeweler J.W. Tucker. Arriving in San Francisco shortly after the town’s population explosion began in the mid-19th century, Tucker began as an importer but soon began making watches and accessories to appeal to those who had been made rich by the booming San Francisco economy. A large 18K hunter-case pocket watch by the maker features an impressively weighty fob set with gold-in-quartz stones. The case also features what appears to be an early California hallmark, reading “18” below the outline of a bear (estimate: $3000 to $4000).

2017 Mido Lee
Patek Philippe & Co. yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch, Model 5050, est.: $40,000/60,000

An interesting George C. Shreve & Co. for Patek Philippe & Co. pocket watch also hails from San Francisco. Dating to 1882, the keyless 18K gold chronograph watch features an unusual portrait dial and has been assigned an estimate ranging between $20,000 to $30,000.

Patek Philippe & Co. 18K pink gold keyless Chronometro Gondolo pocket watch, circa 1916, est.: $30,000/40,000

High-end luxury wristwatches by exceptional European brands include a 1975 Patek Philippe featuring a date with moon phase (estimate: $60,000 to $90,000). Also slated for sale is a Patek Philippe Ref. 5050 perpetual calendar in 18k gold which is expected to bring between $40,000 to $60,000. For those looking for luxury pocket watches by Patek, a rare 24-hour dial Gondolo pocket watch will head to the block with a $30,000 to $40,000 estimate. An A. Lange & Söhne platinum perpetual calendar wristwatch featuring moon phases and a calendar is expected to bring between $20,000 and $30,000. An unusual skeletonized wristwatch by Audemars Piguet will also head to the block with a $10,000 to $15,000 auction estimate.

A. Lange & Söhne 18K wristwatch, est.: $20,000/30,000

The John Moran Auctioneers Rare & Important Timepieces from a Private Collection will take place Dec. 11, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. PST. Click here to check out the rest of the lots.

Leave a Reply