Vacheron Constantin watch from 'a true fairytale collection' makes $1.8m

The unique gold pocket watch belonged to timepiece enthusiast James Ward Packard

Christie's has concluded its sale of Important Watches, which featured four timepieces which had once been part of the fabled collection of James Ward Packard, the celebrated car maker and mechanical enthusiast.

Packard was one of two American gentlemen, the other being Henry Graves, Jr, who supported, encouraged and demanded the production of the most exceptional and complicated of watches.

Their 'contest' to acquire the most complicated of timepiece led to the great patronage of Patek Philippe and also Vacheron Constantin. For more details about the life and collection of James Ward Packard, click here to read a piece from our recent newsletter.

Ahead of the sale, Simon Hines, Head of Watches for Christie's Americas and Asia, had enthused:

"In watch collecting circles, this is a true fairytale collection. James Ward Packard is the original icon who inspired generations of serious watch collectors that followed him."

The extraordinary Vacheron Constantin Packard watch

The expected top lot in the sale was a unique Vacheron Constantin.

In 1918, the firm created a completely unique 20k gold openface chronograph clockwatch for Packard according to his specific instructions, incorporating a customized combination of complications, including trip minute-repeating, grande and petite sonnerie, chronograph, and half-quarter repeating functions.

The spectacular piece had been expected to bring $250,000-500,000 in the June 15 auction, but excited collectors tripled this listing, leading to it achieving the stunning result of $1.8m.

Watch this space for more results for the spectacular sale, including the fabulous Patek Philippes.

• Click here to view our watches for sale
• Learn how you can get pleasure and profit by investing in fine timepieces
• Read all the latest Watches & Jewellery news

Join our readers in over 200 countries around the world - sign up for your free weekly Collectibles Newsletter today or download our free Collectors News app for your iPhone

Recent and related articles...

·  The notorious collections of fraudster Bernie Madoff | 25 May 2011

Having run the 'largest Ponzi scheme in history' only Madoff's collectibles had any real value

·  Fellows offer Rolex and Vacheron Constantin timepieces to see in the Spring | 8 April 2011

The fine gold investment-grade watches are sure to draw collectors' eyes in a week's time

·  The fine timepiece collections of TAG Heuer's greatest fan, Arno Haslinger | 8 December 2010

A ten year obsession has led to Haslinger owning the best selection of the brand's watches anywhere

·  Revealing Vacheron Constantin's rare $400,000 'Quarter Millennium' wristwatch | 23 November 2010

This 'extremely rare and important' Saint Gervais No 55 is a star lot at Antiquorum, next month

·  The Collections of Henry Graves | 3 March 2010

The banker, aesthete and timepiece collector

www.paulfrasercollectibles.com

Images: Christie's