A new generation of collectors are looking to acquiring unique and artistic timepieces.
Imagine one of these watches on your mantel. Or in your showcase. A Swiss-made watch known for its exquisite design, precision and craftsmanship. The high and mighty, the rich and famous gathered last month at a Swiss watering-hole in Geneva - Sotheby's - to pursue their hedonistic fancies: to bid for exclusive watches and timepieces that are inherently adorable pieces of art which happen to tell time.
With a new generation of sophisticated collectors clamoring for the unique and the pricey, the sale presented the quintessential Swiss watch known for its timeliness. The last sale was held in November 2010.
The top lot, a Patek Philippe chronograph fetched CHF 722,500 (Swiss francs or USD 815,637). Maharaja, a gold, enamel and minute repeating watch - Swiss - circa 1920 (dia. 50 mm) featuring a painted portrait of His Highness Maharaja Bhupinder Singh (1891-1938), the ruler of the princely state of Patiala in Punjab from 1900 to 1938 - sold at CHF 122,500 Swiss Francs (US$138,291 or 6.19 million INR) at four times the estimate (in picture, maharaja seen in light blue dress).
Another rare gold, enamel ruby and diamond-set watch - a Seeland - with a painted portrait of His Highness Sawai Mahendra Sir Pratapsing Bahadeer, Maharaja of Orchha, Tikamgarh, Bundelkhand, signed Graff, circa 1890 (dia. 51 mm) - went for CHF 74,500 (US$84,104) at twice the high estimate. (maharaja in dark green tunic)
A third lot in the India series was - a Charles Frodsham - an 18K yellow gold hunting cased minute repeating watch made for the Indian market with enamel portraits, circa 1890 (maharaja in light green tunic. Vying for top honours were several Rolexes, a Piguet & Capt. Breguets, Omegas and other exclusive names from London and Paris.
Swiss enamel portrait miniature painter, John Graff (1836-1902) had created for the Indian princes and other dignitaries, what came to be known as "Rajah" watches that were decorated with enamel portraits of their owners taken from photographs. The intricate mechanisms were mainly produced in the Vallee de Joux area in Switzerland known for its ski slopes or in Le Locle, home of the Tissot watch.
More than 300 clients signed up for the event that covered five centuries of watch-matching history from 1580 to date. Included were luxurious pocket watches made for Indian maharajas in the 19th century, antique timepieces and blue-chip wristwatches as also Chinese and Turkish masterpieces.
retailpluseditor@gmail.com
(A New York based independent trend writer, Raj S. Rangarajan reports on the art market and auto shows and reviews films for media based in New York; Toronto, Canada; and India.)
RAJ S RANGARAJAN
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