DALLAS, TX.- A stellar selection of elite timepieces from top watchmakers produced exceptional prices across the board, leading Heritage Auctions' Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction to $2,933,768 in total sales Dec. 8. The 285-lot sale caught the attention of more than 1,150 bidders, leading to outstanding sell-through rates of 94% by value and 96.5% by lots sold.

"The sale went extremely well,” Heritage Auctions Watches & Fine Timepieces Director Jim Wolf said. "Those sell-through rates underscore the demand for exceptional watches, including some really beautiful, complex pocket watches.”

A Tornek-Rayville, Very Rare Ref. TR-900, U.S Marine Diver Issued, Serial #0862, circa 1966 nearly doubled its starting bid when it finished at $96,875. Consigned by its original owner, this extremely rare timepiece was at auction for the first time.

A Cartier, Very Rare and Desirable Crash, 1991 Limited Edition 326/400, 18k Gold, circa 1991 also performed extremely well, drawing nearly two dozen bids before closing at $87,500.

A Roger Dubuis, Very Desirable Pre-Richemont Sympathie, 18k Rose Gold, Ref. S37 57 5, circa 2001 set broke the record for the highest price paid for the watch when it finished at $20,000.

Patek Philippe reaffirmed its position as the pinnacle of watch makers among serious collectors, a status verified by the strong results for an assortment of magnificent timepieces that crowded the top of the auction, including:

· $459,000: At auction for the first time, the Patek Philippe, Extremely Rare and Fine Ref. 2499 with Confirmed Special Ordered Black Dial, 3rd Series, Ed. Wenger SA Case, Manufactured in 1976 that was the next step in the evolution of the 1518 from its debut in 1951 to its retirement in 1985. Only 349 were released during those years — or about 10 per year — making this reference one of the most exclusive in the history of the brand. Eric Clapton, a renowned collector of watches, acquired it around 2003. The legendary guitarist held on to it for about a decade before selling it in a private treaty to the consignor.




· $150,000: A Patek Philippe, Very Fine and Rare Ref. 5270P, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, Salmon Dial, circa 2019, a modern but spectacularly complicated watch in always-desirable platinum.

· $93,750: A Patek Philippe, Rare and Original Owner Ref. 3417 "Amagnetic”, Stainless Steel, circa 1961, consigned by the original purchaser, who bought it in Switzerland years ago

· $87,500: Patek Philippe, Very Fine Ref. 3971E, 2nd Series, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, 18k Gold, circa 1989

· $62,500: Patek Philippe, Very Fine and Unworn Ref. 5170G, Pulsation's Dial, Manufacture Single Sealed, circa 2014

· $45,000: Patek Philippe, Very Fine Ref. 5235G, Annual Calendar "Regulator" Display, circa 2015

Other top lots included, but were not limited to:

· A Rolex, Ref. 6263 "Fuerza Aerea del Peru" Oyster Cosmograph, Stainless Steel, circa 1974: $56,250

· A Rolex, Ref. 6263 Oyster Cosmograph, Sigma Dial, Stainless Steel, circa 1973: $50,000

· A Vacheron Constantin, Very Rare and Fine Ref. 4072 Chronograph Retailed by Turler, Variant 2 Dial, From the Vacheron Constantin "Les Collectionneurs" Collection, circa 1942: $45,000