Sotheby’s autumn sale of Important Watches last night brought CHF 7’178,475. Strong prices were achieved for highly complicated timepieces and vintage wristwatches.

Tracing the development of watchmaking from 1574 to the present day, the sale also confirmed strong interest from international collectors for antique pocket watches.

The star lot of the evening, however, was a Rolex wristwatch that belonged to the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer. This historic watch tripled its pre‐sale estimate, selling for CHF 170’500.

This historical 18K yellow gold automatic centre seconds wristwatch with date and bracelet (ref. 6305/1) was sought after by at least three bidders in the room. After five minutes of competitive bidding, the hammer finally came down with a final price of CHF 170’500, almost tripling the pre‐sale estimate of CHF 60’000‐80’000 (lot 132).

Presented to the German Chancellor in 1955, this great piece of history has been kept in its original condition by the Chancellor’s descendants and appeared tonight for the first time on the market. Engraved on the back with Konrad Adenauer’s name, it was accompanied by its original leather folder and a letter dated 16 September 1955 from Rolex’s founder Hans Wilsdorf to the German Chancellor.

Commenting on the sale’s results last night, Geoffroy Ader, Head of Sotheby’s Watch Department in Europe, said: “Tonight’s auction saw great interest from international collectors with over 400 clients registered to participate in the sale. Buyers from all corners of the globe staked their claim both for big brands and for rare and antique timepieces, confirming the ever‐increasing demand for watches of particular historic and decorative interest”.

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