London - Bonhams presents Knightsbridge Watches and Wristwatches on 13 November. The 166-lot live sale features a plethora of timepieces from an important pocket watch gifted by the wealthy industrialist, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), and a rare Larcum Kendall (1719-1790) pocket watch, to a highly collectable 'Dirty Dozen' Grana British Military issue wristwatch and selection of watches ranging in designs from coveted names including Rolex, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe, IWC, Jaeger LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet to Cartier and Piaget.

Charles Dower, Bonhams Head of Knightsbridge Watches, said: "Bonhams Watches and Wristwatches sale includes fine examples of desirable timepieces from the most illustrious designers with extraordinary craftsmanship, presenting watches that are both wearable and highly sought-after in today's market. The sale highlight is the exceptional Patek Philippe pocket watch with its outstanding provenance of having been gifted by Scottish American industrialist Andrew and his wife Louise Carnegie in 1912. The watch is offered on behalf of a private family and has never been offered at auction before. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece a history – one that represents the fusing of horological accomplishment, philanthropic endeavour and industrial legacy."

Leading the sale is a rare and exceptional Patek Philippe, 18K gold keyless wind open face minute repeating, perpetual calendar pocket watch with moon phase, circa 1900. The timepiece with white enamel dial and monogramed case was gifted by Scottish American Industrialist Andrew and his wife Louise Carnegie. Carnegie was once the richest man in the world, recognised for his pioneering industrial empire and philanthropic work.

The engraving on the cuvette reads "Presented to my dear kinsman Claud Strachan Carnegie marking twenty-five years of warmest friendship from Andrew & Louise Carnegie, October 1912" and a monogram of CSC further decorates the case. The pocket watch is an execution of fine and complicated timekeeping that demonstrates a true appreciation of friendship. The rare piece is offered with an estimate of £25,000-35,000.

Another notable lot is a rare and historically interesting Larcum Kendall 18K gold key wind pair case chronometer pocket watch, stamped movement number BI, circa 1770s and later modified movement and case.

Larcum Kendall (1719-1790) was an exceptionally talented watchmaker, working under both George Graham and Thomas Mudge, and is now mostly known for creating the copy of John Harrisons H4 Longitude timekeeper, known as K1. It has now been almost twenty years since the last example of a Larcum Kendall was offered at auction, here at Bonhams, in 2005. Such a long passage of time coupled with the other known examples largely being in museums really highlights how rare an opportunity it is for this watch to come to sale. The pocket watch is offered with an estimate of £30,000-40,000.

Other sale highlights include:

• A Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic in platinum, reference Q800652J. The round watch with its pure forms encloses a high-performance self-winding calibre and was originally designed for the scientists of the International Geophysical Year in 1958. The watch is offered with an estimate of £11,000-15,000.

• A Vacheron Constantin, Quai de L'lle, reference 85050, circa 2010. The titanium automatic skeletonised wristwatch with power reserve is offered with an estimate of £8,000-12,000.

• A rare 'Dirty Dozen' Grana stainless steel manual wind Military issue wristwatch with promethium P dial, circa 1945. The Dirty Dozen watches were created in extremely limited numbers, with the Grana being the rarest due to the company's small size. There are believed to have been only 1,000-5,000 of the Grana watches ever designed making the watch on offer a highly sought-after and coveted timepiece among collectors wanting full sets. Offered with an estimate of £8,000-12,000.

• A Cartier Baignoire, 18K gold manual wind oval wristwatch made in the London workshops, circa 1971. The rare timepiece is offered with an estimate of £10,000-15,000.

• A Patek Philippe Calatrava, reference 5296R, circa 2010. The 18K rose gold automatic calendar wristwatch retailed by Tiffany & Co., with silvered sectored dial is offered with an estimate of £10,000-15,000.

30 October 2024