Video of the Week... How watches can hold timeless value

Here's a alternative investing report by CNBC, starring Christie's fine watches expert Aurel Bacs...

"We're possibly the largest collector's community on the planet" - Aurel Bacs, International Co-Head of Christie's Watch Department

So Mr Bacs said of watch collectors in his exclusive interview with Paul Fraser Collectibles, last month - just weeks after Christie's posted its highest-ever sales total for fine watches: $91m in 2010.

But how did Christie's achieve this during a time of economic downturn and slow recovery?

The answer lies in the fact that watches are not just accessories that tell you the time, they are also investments.

In our above Video of the Week, CNBC's Carolin Schober finds out how you can clock up profits in the watch industry.

Aurel Bacs also features in the video, offering his expert opinions on the value of the markets for fine timepieces.

Or you can read Paul Fraser Collectibles' exclusive interview with Mr Bacs here.

Recent and related articles...

·  'Astronomic' Patek Philippe watch could reach sky-high price in Hong Kong | 4 February 2011

Antiquorum's sale later this month could see the fine timepiece achieve $200,000

·  Antiquorum offers a $150,000 ostrich-feather and diamond watch | 26 January 2011

The rare timepiece will lead a Hong Kong auction, alongside a Henry Capt musical automaton

·  Clars continues its 2010 success into the New Year, led by fine Chinese art | 17 January 2011

Paintings, sculptures and antiques appeared alongside a Patek Philippe Moonphase watch

·  In 1868, this $500,000 clock kept Standard Time in New England... | 12 November 2010

And now collectors will have an opportunity to own it at Skinner's clocks auction, this month in the US

·  Internet bidding boosts Antiquorum's Geneva sales to $5.5m | 26 May 2010

As watch collecting spreads across the globe, we look at Antiquorum's Swiss auction earlier this month