Rolex wristwatches of post-World War II leaders auction at Sotheby's

Rolex watches worn by German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and India's First President are for sale

Sotheby's autumn sale of Important Watches on Sunday 13 November 2011 will be spearheaded by two Rolex wristwatches that belonged to leaders of the post‐World War II era.

These include first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer and the first President of the Republic of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad.

Tracing the development of watchmaking from 1574 to the present day, the sale will comprise iconic pieces from pivotal moments in horological history, from very fine examples of Renaissance watches to the "Clarin Mustad 1518", a unique Patek Philippe Reference 1518 chronograph.

Historic: the Clarin Mustad 1518 wristwatch

Also for sale are luxurious pocket watches made for the Chinese, Ottoman, India and Hispanic markets in the 19^th century.

Featuring 270 lots estimated in excess of CHF 8 million, the sale will also include a large selection of rare vintage and highly complicated modern wristwatches by the most prestigious watchmakers of the 20^th and 21st centuries.

Speaking of the sale, Geoffroy Ader, Head of Sotheby's Watch Department in Europe, said:  "The recent success of our watch sale in Hong Kong in October 2011 demonstrated the strong and ever‐increasing demand for rare collectible watches across the globe.

The forthcoming Geneva sale is set to capture the imagination and interest of international collectors, with unique models such as the Patek Philippe "Clarin Mustad 1518" and watches that belonged to key figures of the 20^th century and witnessed pivotal moments in modern history "

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Images: Sotheby's