A first watch sale will take place in Le Havre, and it will be an opportunity to get rid of one hundred vintage watches spanning a variety of genres and styles.
Is Normandy a location for the production of watches? The richness of its past, the fruit of all these bocage mansions that were once so dear to Jean de la Varenne, is well recognized. On the other hand, the watchmaking appeal of the Normandy shore is more understated. On the other hand, if you gaze out to sea or into large families, you’ll find that there is no shortage of stunning surprises to add to your collection. Enough for Le Havre Enchères to decide to hold their first auction entirely dedicated to watches on September 30, which will feature approximately one hundred collector’s timepieces. Not to mention the watch collection of a former scuba diver, we find both more inexpensive items marked by major houses as well as more unusual timepieces among them. After that, there will be a sale conducted online via the Interchères website.
watches that can reverse the passage of time VWS
Lot number three is a sporty Cartier watch from 2012 with a diameter of 37 millimeters; the estimate for this lot is between 900 and 1,400 euros. An automatic sport model Cartier Autoscaph 21 reference number 2427 with a Cartier monogrammed dial and a self-winding caliber signed Cartier / Eta 2892 Swiss basis.
A remarkable chronograph designed by Cartier Group called the Pilote Formula Ferrari should appeal to fans of young timer watches. (Lot no. 15 – Estimate: €400 – €800). This 41 mm multifunction quartz chronograph was released around 1985 and is part of a collection designed for Scuderia Ferrari in the 1980s. It has a brushed steel case in the shape of an octagonal nut, a Ferrari-engraved gold-plated bezel, four pushers, a crown that is shaped like a gold-plated nut, and a screwed back. The checkered red dial of this watch has a large Chrono second hand in the center, a 1/10 second stopwatch, date/day windows at 3 o’clock, and a smaller second hand at 6 o’clock. In keeping with the competitive nature of sports, this Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing Chronograph with reference number 145.014 is certain to appeal to enthusiasts. (Lot no. 21 – Estimate: €3,500 – €4,000). This iconic tonneau-shaped steel pilot’s chronograph with a brushed bezel was made in 1971. It features a screwed back with a Seamaster emblem in the style of a seahorse (signed and numbered), a matt black dial with a patinated orange checkered minute bezel, and a tachometer bezel graduated to 60. (screen-printed on the mineral crystal in superb condition). The watch is in excellent shape and possesses a hand-wound mechanical caliber that is signed Omega / 861 Swiss.
A magnificent Patek Philippe world-timer watch. VWS
For fans of Patek Philippe who don’t restrict themselves to just a handful of the most fashionable modern models, lot no. 5 mm, signed Patek Philippe & Co., about 1895, with the motif of Saint-Georges defeating the Dragon n° 91775 is an excellent option. Its completely chiseled case features foliate and rocaille ornamentation on both of its bezels, and the interior of the case is adorned with a depiction of Christ in a boat during a storm with the inscription “Intempestate Securitas.” This item is hallmarked and numbered, with the number 211039 located on the inside cover, and it has the signature of Patek Philippe & Cie Genève on the dust cover of the movement. It is hand-wound and uses a mechanical caliber that is signed Patek Philippe & Cie Genève / 2680 (with lever escapement – n° 91775) Swiss. Its heart beats to the rhythm of a mechanical caliber.
A stunning pocket watch bearing the signature of L. Leroy. VWS
Lot n°51, with an estimated price range of €800 to €1,000, may also prove to be irresistible to admirers of exquisite pocket watches. An L.LEROY & Cie watch (Horloger de la Marine / Palais-Royal n° 58867), circa 1880/90, made for the Countess Fernand de la Ferronnays, n° 2205, with an 18-carat (750 thousandths) yellow gold case with a clipped back decorated with initials (signed Leroy & Cie – Horloger de la Marine on the dust cover of the movement, A miniature collar watch with the model number 7530 and made of 18-karat pink gold (750 thousandths) has been added to this lot. The clipped back of the watch is adorned with a flower that is encrusted with diamonds and rubies, and the watch itself features an enamel dial with a pearl path, Roman numerals, spear hands, a crown at noon, and an ornate bail.
On the other hand, this sale also includes some stunning diving timepieces that you may wear on your wrist even when you are far from shore. Like an excellent Omega Genève Diver Amirauté – Gray ref. 135.042 (Lot no. 69 – Estimate: €2,200 – €2,800), circa 1969. A unique diver’s watch from the Geneva collections dubbed the “Amirauté” (2nd generation), it has a screwed back and an overflow crown on its circular steel case (signed Omega and numbered, Waterproof). The unidirectional bezel made of grey steel is graduated to the number 60, and it features a pearl at the noon position. Its vinlargelylyOmega bracelet is made of steel and features a folding clasp along with a caterpillar mesh (ref.1193). It has a diameter of 37.5 millimeters and is equipped with a hand-wound mechanical caliber that is signed OMEGA / 601 Swiss.
A diving classic that features a double marking that is extremely French. VWS
Lot No. 70 is a piece with double markings that reflects its very French past. It is a classic for amateurs, and it is still aimed at people who appreciate good diving watches. An estimate places the price of a Blancpain fab Swiss (Fifty Fathoms – Distribution by LIP n° 667670) between €6,000 and €8,000. On the eve of the mythical Fifty Fathoms’s 70th anniversary, which was created in collaboration with the legendary Bob Maloubier for the first French combat swimmers, we admire this 1958 version of the watch, which has a patinated black dial with large applied indexes and skeleton hands that are luminescent. The watch has a diameter of 34 millimeters. Its steel case is screwed in two halves with a strapping ring in between, and it has straight handles and a dome on the back (engraved on the inside of Rayville SA Swiss). This item was manufactured with the double signature of LIP, which served as the distributor of the brand in France at the time, primarily for the navy. It has an old-fashioned rubber strap. A LIP Blancpain / Fifty Fathoms R108 balance wheelbase 1361N (n° 31224) Swiss automatic mechanical caliber is included in this item.