GENEVA, NOVEMBER 13, 2007 - Today, Sotheby's auction of Important Watches realised an outstanding CHF7,671,775 ($6,825,732), against a pre-sale high estimate of CHF 7.2 million with 92.4 % sold by value. This is the third highest total for a watch sale at Sotheby's Geneva. The saleroom was packed this morning and there was frenzied bidding, in particular for lot 85, an exceptional and very fine pair of gold, enamel and pearl set perfume sprinklers/watches in the form of flint lock pistols with matching keys, circa 1806, which was bought in the saleroom for a tremendous CHF 855,400 ($761,066) against a pre-sale estimate of CHF 350,000-450,000.
Alexander Barter, Deputy Worldwide Head of Watches at Sotheby's commented on the sale: “We are thrilled with the results of today's sale, which bring our Geneva watch totals for the year to CHF 13'069'295 ($11,254,937). These strong results reflect the extraordinary strength of the watch market and the continuing demand for timepieces of great quality which are finely curated within our catalogues to meet the market's expectations”.
All the 15 pocket watches form the property of an estate sold for a total of CHF 915,825 ($ 814,828) (Pre-sale estimate of CHF 383,00-596,000)
A fine pair of gold, enamel and pearl set watches in the form of flint lock pistols sold for an OUTSTANDING CHF 855,400 ($761,066): almost two times its pre-sale HIGH estimate of CHF 400,000
