NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s annual December auction of Important Watches will be held next Wednesday, 10 December in New York. Below, their specialists have selected their favorite pieces across the full range of estimates represented in the sale – from vintage and modern wristwatches for both men and women, to important pocket watches and desk timepieces spanning estimates from under $10,000 to over $100,000. Sotheby's invites you to visit their York Avenue galleries this weekend to find the perfect holiday gift for new and seasoned collectors alike.

WATCHES ESTIMATED UNDER $10,000

Patek Philippe. Retailed by Tiffany & Co.: A Pink Gold Automatic Wristwatch with Date, Ref 5296, circa 2010. Estimate $7/9,000

Cartier. A Lady's Fine Platinum and Diamond-Set Bracelet Watch, circa 1925. Estimate $8/12,000

Rolex. A Stainless Steel Automatic Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet and Registers, Ref 16520, circa 1994. Estimate $8/12,000

$10,000 – $50,000

Omega. A Large and Very Rare 18k Yellow Gold Two Time Zone Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers, Ref 345.0801 Flightmaster, circa 1971. Estimate $15/25,000

The Omega Flightmaster was introduced in 1969 and was discontinued in 1973, designed to allow pilots to keep track of multiple time zones

Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare Lady's Platinum and Diamond Set Bracelet Watch, Ref 3289/32, made in 1965. Estimate $25/35,000

Rolex. A Fine Automatic Pink Gold Wristwatch with Day, Date and Bracelet, Ref 118205, circa 2002. Estimate $15/25,000

The present watch was gifted by Eric Clapton to a guitarist who toured with him on the 2004 World Tour

$50,000 – $100,000

Property from an Important North American Collector

Breguet. A Very Fine and Very Rare Yellow Gold Skeletonized Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Wristwatch, Ref 3755, circa 2005. Estimate $80/120,000

Property from an Important North American Collector offers a spectacular selection of 28 modern wristwatches by celebrated makers including Breguet, A. Lange & Söhne, Patek Philippe and more, with estimates spanning from $8,000 to more than $100,000

Patek Philippe. Retailed by Tiffany & Co.: A Fine Limited Edition White Gold Annual Calendar with Moon Phases, Ref 5396, circa 2013. Estimate $50/70,000

This watch was created in 100 examples in 2013 to commemorate the first five years of the Patek Philippe salon at Tiffany & Co. on Fifth Avenue

Rolex. A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet, Ref 6262, 'Paul Newman' Daytona, circa 1968. Estimate $60/80,000

The December auction offers five of Rolex’s coveted ‘Paul Newman Daytonas’, including the present watch as well as an example featuring the rare ‘Panda‘ dial.

$100,000+

Patek Philippe. An Extremely Fine and Rare Perpetual Calendar Split-Seconds Chronograph with Moon Phases and Night/Day Indication, Ref 5951, circa 2010. Estimate $450/650,000

Patek Philippe launched the Ref 5951 at the Basel Fair in 2010 with an exclusive first year offering with red accents to the dial and baton indexes. The design of the dial is both sporty and contemporary, which was completely new for Patek Philippe watches.

Vacheron Constantin. An Important and Extremely Rare Yellow Gold, Enamel, and Pearl-Set Open-Faced Watch with Enamel Scene 'Le Temps et les Parques' Painted by Jeanne Vauthey, made in 1930. Estimate $120/180,000

The present watch is among a celebrated few Vacheron Constantin timepieces from the early 20th century featuring a painted enamel scene. The present image is of the Three Fates, who spin, measure and cut a length of yarn in an allegory for destiny.

Patek Philippe. Retailed By Gübelin:

A Highly Important and Probably Unique Yellow Gold Open-Faced Perpetual Calendar Split-Seconds Chronograph Minute Repeating Watch with Moon Phases and Black Dial, Ref 658, made in 1937. Estimate $200/400,000

With its triple complication, the present watch represents the apex of Patek Philippe’s technical creations. Based on an exhaustive study of similar watches, it can be said that this watch is the first known Ref 658 to have been produced – of the 15 that were ever made – a unique piece that was featured in multiple Patek Philippe advertisements of the 1930s.

Property from the Metzger Collection
Courvoisier & Compe. An Important Ormolu and Mahogany Two Tune Musical Automaton Birdcage Clock with Double Singing and Flying Birds, no. 11359, circa 1820. Estimate $150/250,000

The December auction offers 17 fine and rare examples of the best Mechanical Music, on offer from the noted collection of Frank and Lore Metzger. Included are rare pieces of furniture containing mechanical organs by Davrainville and Bolzmann, an original and monumental George Pyke Organ Clock with Automata and Organ Spinning Wheel, and the present work: an exquisite and extremely rare automata bird cage with music, singing and ‘flying’ birds by Courvoisier.

Patek Philippe. An Exceptional and Important Platinum Split Seconds Chronograph Wristwatch with Register, Ref 5959, circa 2008. Estimate $150/200,000

With its “Officer” style case, white dial and special italicized Arabic numerals, the Patek Philippe ref 5959P bears many striking similarities to the earliest-known split second chronograph wristwatch: the no. 124824, started in 1903 and completed in 1923, which Sotheby’s sold this June for $2.9 million.