LONDON.- Bonhams Fine Watches and Wristwatches sale took place today, 13 December, and saw an impressive 89% of lots sold by value, achieving a total of £2,205,000.

The top lot of the sale was a rare Rolex Submariner from 1972 [Ref 5513] which sold for £112,500 against an estimate of £40,000-60,000. Bids were coming in from across the world in an exchange that lasted several minutes but was eventually won by a bidder in the saleroom.

Jonathan Darracott, Global Head of Watches, commented: ‘This was a fantastic sale on which to end our stellar year of sales in Bond Street, Knightsbridge and New York. We have seen top prices achieved and new trends developing across the sales, as well as continued interest in military watches and the finest examples from the very best watchmakers such as Patek Philippe and Rolex. The auction attracted competitive international bidding which reflected the vast variety and strength of the sale. We look forward to continued success in 2018.’

Other highlights included:

• Patek Philippe Celestial, Ref: 5102PR-001, Circa 2009. An extremely fine and rare platinum and rose gold astronomical wristwatch with sky chart, phase and orbit of the moon, time of meridian, passage of Sirius and the moon sold for £106,250 against an estimate of £80,000-120,000.

• Rolex Jean Claude Killy, Ref: 6036, Circa 1953. An extremely rare stainless steel manual wind triple calendar chronograph braceley watch sold for £90,000.

• Patek Philippe Ref: 5270. A very fine 18K white gold manual wind perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase sold for £87,500.

• Patek Philippe Nautilus, Ref: 3700/013, Circa 1979. A fine 18K gold and diamond set automatic calendar bracelet watch sold for £50,000 against an estimate of £40,000-60,000.

• Rolex Submariner Comex Ref: 165.024, Circa 1967. A rare stainless steel automatic divers bracelet watch made for Comex with extensive Comex paraphernalia and dive log books sold for £60,000 against an estimate of £30,000-40,000. The lot was accompanied by Comex branded merchandise ranging from golf tees to a Swiss army knife, and even a second watch.