A magnificent white gold Chopard watch has seen spectacular results at Sotheby's, providing the unexpected top lot in its Important Watches auction, held on June 10 in New York.
 The watch features Chopard's LUC 4T calibre, which is unrivalled for precision |
The 18k white gold and diamond-set wristwatch is a limited edition tourbillon, produced by the luxury Swiss brand Chopard in 2007. It sold for $461,000, making a 207.3% increase on its $150,000 high estimate.
Sporting the LUC 4T calibre, the watch is prized by collectors for its reliability and precision.
Also seeing fantastic results was a Rolex Sea-Dweller diver's watch in stainless steel, which enjoyed a 378.7% increase on its $80,000 high estimate to sell for $383,000.
 Despite its poor condition, the single line of red text propelled this diver's watch to outstanding results |
The watch is known as a "single-red" for the single line of red text on its face, a version of the Sea-Dweller that is mentioned only in scholarly texts. Most examples have two-lines of red text and are known as "double-red", resulting in a very exciting opportunity for collectors.
However, the watch was in poor condition from its years of usage on the wrist of its former owner, with who it had remained for more than 45 year since its original purchase in the late 1960s.
The consignor is an accomplished American diver, as well as a member of the Underwater Demolition Team (a precursor to the Navy SEALS).
Christie's is holding its own Important Watches auction on June 11 in New York, starring a Patek Philippe Grand Complication that was produced more than 10 years before the first example was believed to have been made.
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