Among the highlight of the Antiquorum’s watch auction there are such timepieces as Patek Philippe Ref. 2459 Devil’s Horns, Minerva chronograph and 1940s Vacheron Constantin Ref. 3681 Black Mystery.

Patek Philippe Devil’s Horns is a real collector’s dream. The watch was produced in two different types of case decorated with “devil’s horns” with identical number. The watch is estimated for 25,000 – 35,000 USD. Minerva chronograph made in the 1930s and measuring 42-mm in diameter is estimated for 6,000 – 8,000USD. The last lot of the auction is a unique Vacheron Constantin Black Mystery watch made in the 1940s. The vintage watch features a rotary plate at the dial and measures 30 mm in diameter. This Vacheron Constantin vintage watch can become a perfect stylish accessory for ladies.

Antiquorum: Artist’s Collection of Watches Put Up for Sale is a post from: Watches world: pocket, wrist, skeletons, tourbillions | TimeBooth.com

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The unique lot was put up for auction by the daughter of an American collector Marc Bortman - Jane. The watch key is especially precious for its original design: it contains the plaited auburn hair of Thomas Jefferson’s deceased wife, Martha Wayles Jefferson, who was thirty-three at the time of her death. On the front of the watch key there is an elegant engraving explaining its contents. Jefferson was utterly devastated by the loss; Martha died shortly after giving birth to their sixth child. The front of the key lists Mrs. Jefferson’s day of birth as well as the day of her passing.

The experts from Christie’s have estimated this unique lot for $40,000–80,000. The watch key was presumably made in 1784-1789 in England or in France.

Christie’s: Thomas Jefferson Watch Key Put Up for Sale is a post from: Watches world: pocket, wrist, skeletons, tourbillions | TimeBooth.com

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Each amateur and connoisseur of watch mechanics is dreaming of an exclusive timepiece equipped with a rare authentic calibre. And vintage movements produced before the “quartz revolution” of the 1970s are especially precious for connoisseurs.

First these movements are considered to be more reliable: anyway their workability is proved by time. And, besides, the price for a watch with a restored movement is lower than that of modern manufactory ones.

But to tell the truth sometimes the movement itself is so rare and interesting that housed by a modern case it could be more expensive than any modern timepiece. Brilliant examples of such calibres are the legendary Angelus made by Rolex for Officine Panerai series of special mission units.

There are several ways to give a “second life” to a vintage calibre. One of them was invented by the most passionate collectors as Jorg Schauer who bought quite a big number of Durowe and Stowa movements for his watches or Cinette Robert that decided to use vintage calibres for Dubey & Schaldenbrand watches.

But among the brands producing watches with vintage calibres there are some that deserve more detailed attention. Their watches are surely ones of the most desired and sought for among those who knows what’s what in watch mechanics.

Armand Nicolet L07 Chronograph

In the 1940s-1950s the renowned brand of Armand Nicolet was assembling and decorating movements by a legendary brand Venus. So today the company can boast quite a big number of authentic chronograph movements that from time to time are used in Armand Nicolet modern collections.

At the main plate visible through the additional seconds subdial there is an engraving of a small star – the seal of Venus. And through the transparent case back one can see polished bridges and main plate, classical chronograph module with a column wheel and balance-spiral unit with a big 12-mm wheel oscillating at 18,000 bph.

The movement is originally decorated with a pattern consisting of tine parallel lines – the Cote de Nicolet pattern.

Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tribute to MaBu

Carl F. Bucherer launched the Manero collection in 2006 when the company was not yet an independent manufactory producing in-house movement. That’s why the tribute model of the Manero watch became one of the most important premieres in 2007.

This series is interesting for collectors first of all because of its restored vintage movements produced in times of Max Bucherer (MaBu), who was a talented painter and graphic artist, a traveller and friend of Herman Hesse’s and other famous writers.

The tribute chronograph is made in the noble style of the 1950s. It is equipped with a Valjoux 92 calibre which was one of the best chronograph movements of that time. On the basis of this very movement the modern Valjoux 7750 was created.

MareMonti Adventure Big Classic

The movements produced by once very famous manufactory A. Schild are especially important for collectors and connoisseurs of watchmaking art.

Since 1978 the manufactory had has been part of ETA.

One of the most interesting calibres made by A. Schild is AS-2063 which is the last self-winding movement produced in the 1970s before the company joined ETA.

The features of this calibre (2 days of power reserve, quick date correction, manually wound spring) are no inferior to the modern ones. Besides, it is equipped with the double Incablock system.

A big series of these calibres was purchased by MareMonti which uses the movements in its limited edition collections.

Particularly this calibre is used in the Adventure series which includes not only classical models with calendar but also skeletons and complete calendar watches as well as timepieces equipped with zodiac constellations indication.

Roamer Competence MST

In 2004 Roamer launched the Competence Original collection of watches equipped with the FHF 18.011 calibre that was originally developed by the brand in the distant 1940.

The watchmakers found 1050 prototypes of this calibre in the archives of the manufactory. The prototypes were developed and modified. This movement is manually wound. It features a side seconds hand. The calibre can boast not only exclusiveness but also a very compact size.

A year later Roamer presented one more watch equipped with a vintage movement – MST watch in square case. The watch was powered with an in-house movement Roamer 468 created in the 1950s.

How to Choose a Watch with a Rare Calibre? is a post from: Watches world: pocket, wrist, skeletons, tourbillions | TimeBooth.com

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The price for the golden watch whose weight is 1.1 kg made up CHF 4.5 million. Adjusted for taxation the new owner paid CHF 5,120,000 for the watch.

Calibre 89 notable for 33 different complications was created by the watchmakers from Patek Philippe to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the brand. The first design and calculations were made in 1980 and by 1988 the company presented working prototype. In April 1989 the completed watch was finally presented to the public. Patek Philippe produced 4 unique pieces with Calibre 89 in cases made of yellow, rose and white gold and in platinum.

Golden pocket watch with Calibre 89 first appeared at Antiquorum on April 9, 1989, as part of The Art of Patek Philippe collection. The watch (this one and the rest three exemplars) was purchased by the Royal family. In the beginning of the 2000s the collection was divided.

The Calibre 89 watch in 18К yellow gold is notable not only for the number of complications but also for the triple barrel spring and tourbillon. The four-level movement is based on 126 jewels and comprises 1,278 parts. The outer open dial traditionally indicates hours, minutes and seconds. At the back case one can observe the sidereal time. Other functions of the watch are GMT, sunrise and sunset time indication, world time for 125 cities, perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph with 30-minutes and 12-hours counters, minute repeater, alarm clock, tachymeter, barometer and compass.

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Antiquorum: Legendary Calibre 89 Sold for 5,120,000 CHF is a post from: Watches world: pocket, wrist, skeletons, tourbillions | TimeBooth.com

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The most awaited auction event of this season – the bi-annual Only Watch 2009 charity auction - was held on September 24, 2009, in Monaco during the traditional Monaco Yacht Show. The total receipts for 34 exceptional timepieces donated by the most famous, prestigious and reputable watchmakers made up impressive 2,285,500 euro. All proceeds were given to the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research foundation to support it activities aiming at saving lives of children suffering from this disease.

The event was organized by the well-known and reputable auction house of Patrizzi & Co and held under the high patronage of HSH Prince Albert II.

The head of the auction house, Osvaldo Patrizzi, commented: “These are excellent results, proving once again, thanks to the marvellous craftsmanship of the 34 watch brands that donated their unique works of horology, that there is always a demand for unusual and exclusive pieces”.

Luc Pettavino, President of the Monaco Yacht Show and founder of the Monegasque Association Against Muscular Dystrophy, added: “In the face of this marvellous result, I cannot but thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for everything that they have given of their talents to such a noble cause and with such humanity, excellence and altruism”.

The record breaker of the auction is the unique Patek Philippe Ref 5106 Celestial watch that achieved 535,000 euro. The runners-up are unique Cabestan Winch Tourbillon and Confrerie Horlogere Only Watch 2009 timepiece that fetched 220,000 and 280,000 euro respectively.

The next Only Watch auction is going to be held in September 2011. All the participants expressed the desire to take part in the charity auction again presenting new unique timepieces.

Only Watch 2009 Results is a post from: Watches world: pocket, wrist, skeletons, tourbillions | TimeBooth.com

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