A Breguet originally sold to the late King Hassan II of Morocco is one of many regal gems on offer at the Watches of Knightsbridge sale on June 1.
The gold Breguet Classique Extra Plat skeletonised watch was originally sold to King Hassan in a Paris boutique in 1973 for the kingly sum of 13,000 French francs, according to the Breguet heritage department. The watch, with ultra-thin coin-edge case and open caseback is Lot 12 and estimated to fetch £6,000-12,000.
There is also a white gold Cartier Paris Cristallor watch that was commissioned in the 1970s by King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan.
A rarity in white gold, rather than yellow, this specific watch is featured in the White Cartier Bianco book by Osvaldo Patrizzi and has a caseback engraving showing Arabic script and Jordanian Royal Crest.
The watch is Lot 13 and the estimate is £20,000-30,000.
Other highlights of the 180-lot sale include a gold and sapphire Boucheron Paris Carrée bracelet watch. Watches of Knightsbridge tells us that Boucheron Paris watches from the Fifties and Sixties are still flying under the radar compared to Cartier pieces of the same era, and therefore with an estimate of £5,000-10,000, this gold number at Lot 9 could represent a good investment as connoisseurs are starting to catch on.
One of the more modern pieces in the sale also stands out. The white-gold Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 5089G-040dates from 2015 and is one of just ten pieces produced that feature an enamel dial showing some of London’s most famous landmarks. Made to celebrate Patek’s 175th anniversary, the handcrafted watch is Lot 102 and is expected to fetch £80,000-120,000.
Watches of Knightsbridge specialises in rare and collectable watches and is led by the father and son team Simon and Toby Sutton. The business offers a platform for collectors to buy and sell watches either directly, privately or via auction. All watches are checked and authenticated by Watches of Knightsbridge’s in-house experts.
Thee Modern, Vintage & Military Timepieces sale takes place on 1st June 2024 at Michelin House, 81 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6RD. The auction starts at 14:00 BST (open from 10:30am for viewing) Viewing by appointment: 7th May to 30th May 11:00-16:30. Open viewing: 31st May 10:30-17:30.