The world's premiere watch auction house, Antiquorum, witnessed competitive bidding from collectors at their sale of "Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces" in New York on September 16, 2010.
A total of 344 collectible timepieces were up for auction with 88% of lots sold for a total of £2,195,010 ($3,426,386) and with bids coming from Italy, Australia, Russia and China to name but a few.
After the event, Julien Schaerer, the Auctioneer and Watch director at the US based company reflected:
"Our September sale confirms that attractively priced timepieces continue to drive strong interest from the worldwide collector community."
 Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars 18k white gold diamond wristwatch |
This was certainly reflected in the highlights of the sale. The star lot was an Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars 18k white gold diamond wristwatch which featured a one-minute tourbillion and chronograph.
The piece saw intense competition from collectors within the room and those on the telephones which resulted in a sale price of £155,350 ($242,500).
A 25th anniversary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillion wristwatch also grabbed the attention of investors, selling for a final price of £70,790 ($110,500).
Elsewhere, a unique Jean Dunand watch with 12 complications came to auction for the first time, selling for £136,130($212,500).
And there were other familiar names at the sale as a Breguet "Tourbillion Skeleton Perpetual" watch in platinum achieved a sale price of £74,630 ($116,500).
A Vacheron Constantin "Tourbillion Malte Squelette" which was a limited edition watch of 10 pieces sold for £66,950 ($104,500).
Just behind this came timepieces from Patek Phillipe and Rolex.
A Patek Philippe ref. 3971 chronograph watch with perpetual calender in yellow gold sold for £60,800 ($94,900), will a ref.3970 model in white gold fetched £55,410 ($86,500).
Whilst a customized Bamford & Son "Paul Newman" limited edition PVD Daytona watch sold for £23,220 ($36,250), a vintage Rolex ref.6085 sports watch featuring a special soccer dial reached £16,15 ($25,000) at the September sale.
Charles Tearle, a Director and Antiquorum noted:
"The outcome for our September sale validates the strong demand for exceptional vintage and rare, modern or limited edition watches"
The next sale of watches through the US auction house will take place in Hong Kong on October 9, 2010.
With lots set to include Patek Philippe vintage time pieces, enamel watches and a singing bird box which once belong to Empress Josephine, the event is already greatly anticipated.
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