Sotheby's spring sale of Important Watches in in Geneva on May 15 will take collectors on a journey through five centuries of watch history, from 1580 to the present day. The sale will include iconic pieces from each era, from a 16th century German tambour watch to a highly rare Patek Philippe chronograph (illustrated above), through luxurious pocket watches made for Indian Maharajas in the 19th Century and watches that have witnessed historical moments, such as Fausto Coppi’s legendary 1942 Cycling World Hour Record or the Rolex Submariner worn by British diver and treasure hunter Keith Jessop during one of the greatest deep sea salvage operations in history: “Stalin's Gold” from the wreck of the British light cruiser Edinburgh, which had sunk in 1942.
Featuring over 280 lots estimated in excess of CHF 7.2 million, the sale will bring together an impressive range of antique timepieces, pocket watches and blue-chip wristwatches, including a group of very rare Rolex models. There will be a selection of antique timepieces made for the Chinese and Oriental markets, including two gold, enamel and pearl-set watches made by Barraud's circa 1818 and 1815
and a rare gold, enamel and diamond ring watch made circa 1800.
