NEW YORK, NY.- An extremely fine and rare A. Lange & Söhne Glashütte Ref. 701.005 Platinum Tourbillon "Pour le Mérite" wristwatch, No. 42 of a limited edition of 50 examples made in 1996, is expected to bring $250,000+ when it crosses the block as the top lot in Heritage Auctions' Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature Auction, Nov. 20, in New York. The watch is being offered for the first time at auction and has been consigned by its original owner.

"This tourbillon chronometer is without exception the most prestigious of all wristwatches produced by A. Lange & Söhne," said Jim Wolf, Director of Watches & Fine Timepieces at Heritage. "It represents the culmination of more than 150 years of experience in the production of high quality precision timepieces and is among the most sought-after timepieces in the world."

A Rolex Ref. 6062 Gold "Star" Dial Automatic Triple Calendar Wristwatch With Moon Phases, circa 1952 — a vintage Rolex watch that is also extremely rare — is already drawing considerable collector attention in the lead-up to the auction, with its unusual dial and $100,000+ estimate. The reference 6062 was launched in 1950, during the so called "Rolex Festival," marking the 70th birthday of the founder, Hans Wildorf, the 25th year of the Oyster case, and 20th year of the Auto Rotor.

A superlative, historically important prototype Franck Muller Gold Minute Repeating Wristwatch with Perpetual Calendar & Moon Phases, circa 1986, is expected to bring $70,000+ when it crosses the block, while a classic Rolex Ref. 6542 Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master with a Bakelite Bezel, circa 1956, is expected to bring $60,000+ and a very fine Patek Philippe Ref. 5140G-001 Sealed White Gold Perpetual Calendar With Moon Phases, Leap Year & 24 Hour Indication is expected to realized a final price in the same $60,000+ range.

Further highlights include, but certainly are not limited to:

• Lange & Söhne Ref. 310.025 Platinum "Langematik Perpetual": Estimate $50,000+.

• Jaeger LeCoultre Ref. 146.2.34.S Rose Gold One Minute Tourbillon Regulator, 24 Hour Indication, Special Date Function: Estimate $35,000+.

• Jaeger-LeCoultre, Swiss Triple Flying Tourbillon Prototype Clock, Ref. No. 3-215-006: Circa 1980, estimate $30,000+.

• Chopard Haute Joaillerie Diamond & Sapphire Lady's Gold Wristwatch: Circa 2014, estimate $20,000+.