LONDON.- The sale of Fine Watches at Sotheby’s saw a rare gold & enamel ball-shaped Desk Clock by Cartier sell for £79,250 ($124,668) - some ten times its pre-sale estimate. Continuing a pattern that has been a feature of many recent sales at Sotheby’s, strong prices for pocketwatches were again a feature of today’s sale.

Joanne Lewis, Head of Watches at Sotheby’s London , said: “We saw some exceptionally strong prices today for exactly the types of watch we have seen consistently performing well in our auctions over the last 24 months or so. The fantastic price for the Cartier desk clock, which made some ten times its pre-sale estimate, is further evidence of the strong demand we’re seeing now for desk clocks, especially for those of the highest quality. Pocket watches also performed well, attracting interest from around the world, and good wristwatches by leading names continue, as ever, to hold their appeal.”

The sale made a total of £1,313,650 (US$ 2,066,503) against an estimate of £1,243,300 to £1,742,200, with sell-through rates of 77.2% by lot, and 72.3% by value. 54% of the lots sold achieved prices above their high estimate.