Tom Heap of Sotheby’s shows us his top 3 picks from “Important Watches”

Sotheby’s “Important Watches” sale is well underway with Part I having concluded on April 7, we are now onto Part II. With seven days until lots begin closing, watch collectors and enthusiasts have already started placing their bids on the rare watches featured.

While one of the key watches from Part I was a record-breaking Patek Philippe sold to J.B. Champion, Part II has some gems as well. Looking to learn more about the watches available, we set down with Tom Heap, watch specialist at Sotheby’s London, to go over three of his favourite lots and learn a bit more about what makes them special.

Heap’s three picks can be found below:

Cartier – Paris Crash
This lot is of a limited edition yellow gold wristwatch, Circa 1991, and is 055/400. On top of Paul Newman Daytona’s, the Cartier Crash is quickly becoming a benchmark of watch auctions and an indicator of how solid the market is. It’s a watch that defied design norms at the time, and its distinct asymmetrical case shape make this an icon in the watch world.

Audemars Piguet – Starwheel
A neo-vintage classic from 1991. While Audemars Piguet has released an updated one in the Code 11.59 variant, there is something about the original. It’s an inventive way to read time via the wandering hours complication and is a testament that AP is so much more than a one-trick pony with its Royal Oak. They have so many hits that we are only just now able to bring back and appreciate. They have been doing remarkable things throughout their timeline, and this is a good example of that. I would also like to point out that a lot of the vintage starwheels I have come across usually feature a guilloché pattern on the mid-ring but this one has an engraved floral pattern.

Vacheron Constantin – Mercator (1997 Hong Kong Handover)
This watch is interesting because it not only tells the history of the watchmaker, but also touches on world history. How cool is it that the Hong Kong (Chine) version of the Mercator is being sold in HK? The Vacheron Constantin Mercator itself is interesting as it has these two hands that resemble a pair of compasses that make up the bi-retrograde display. This paired with the cloisonné enamel dial of South China really gives off this feeling of exploration. The Aqua Luna red sail junk boat at six o’clock combined with the July 1997 handover date makes this such a historic watch. Oh, and this example was case No.1.

Check out Tom’s picks in the video above.