www.worldwatchweb.com- Sotheby’s sale of Important Watches was led by a highly rare Patek Philippe chronograph which fetched CHF 722,500 ($815,637) and one of the most exclusive examples of a stainless steel Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” with inverted lines, which realised CHF 206,500 ($233,150).

Covering five centuries of watchmaking history, from 1580 to the present day, the 280-lot sale realised CHF 7,754,000 ($8,753,568). With strong prices for pieces made for the Chinese, Turkish and Indian markets, the sale attracted buyers from around the world and more than 300 clients had registered to participate.

Lot 185 - Patek Philippe: An Extremely Rare 18k Yellow Gold Perpetual Calendar, Chronograph Wristwatch, Ref. 2499, circa 1960. Est. CHF 600,000-1,000,000/$665,000-1,100,000, sold for CH 722,500 (815,637 USD)

Following the world record achieved last November for a Daytona “Paul Newman” with brown dial (sold for CHF 464,500 - six times its high estimate), lot 280 – an extremely rare Oyster Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” with inverted lines dating from circa 1967 sold for CHF 206,500 ($233,120), comfortably exceeding the pre-sale estimate of CHF 100,000-150,000 ($111,000-166,000). The enthusiasm of collectors was with no doubt sparked by the rarity of the “Paul Newman” dial, the unusual signature featuring the “Oyster” on the third line after “Rolex” and “Cosmograph” and the fact that the watch came with an original presentation case and guarantee.

Source: Sotheby’s

www.sothebys.com