The world’s first auction dedicated to women’s watches takes place on January 18.
French auctioneer Artcurial will host the landmark sale, which will be held at the Monaco Yacht Club.
The couple kiss twice a day
Most watch auctions feature just a handful of women’s timepieces, as the majority of watch collectors are men.
Geoffroy Ader, watch consultant at Artcurial, explains: “I have worked in the auction business for a long time and people have been discussing the idea of holding a thematic sale dedicated to women’s watches for years without actually making it happen.
“We have decided to finally do it because more and more brands are putting forward mechanical watches for women and, although I don’t believe women collect watches with the same degree of fervor that men do, they are becoming increasingly interested in good quality, mechanical pieces and are nowadays more likely to want to buy them for themselves.”
The 92 lots range in price from $1,000 to $96,000, and in era from 1900 to the present.
The most valuable piece in the Les Temps est Feminin sale is a Van Cleef and Arpels Le Pont des Amoureux. It features two mechanical figures who enjoy a kiss on the stroke of 12.
Made in 2010, the rare timepiece has won a host of design awards including the “Ladies Watch Prize" at Geneva’s Grand Prix de l'horlogerie.
Patek Philippe's Ref 791 has a $61,000 estimates
As with the men’s collectible watch market, Patek Philippe is a strong player with the ladies. The Swiss manufacturer’s lead offering here is its Ref 791. The 1962-made timepiece features 18 karat gold and is adorned with sapphires.
It has a $61,000 estimate.
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