Fellows achieves strong auction results for vintage and modern watches
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Despite tough times on the High Street, Fellows continue to show success in the saleroom.
On Monday 15th April, Fellows held their quarterly Vintage & Modern Wristwatch Auction. An eclectic mix of watches were on offer ranging from vintage survivors, some bearing their battle-scars with pride, to contemporary ‘haute-horologie’ pieces often in as-new condition.
Bidding was intense, coming from the room and the telephones, but particularly from the live online bidding platforms that form a growing part of the modern auction world. This interested was boosted by a huge number of commission bids placed through Fellows user-friendly websites www.fellows.co.uk and www.watchauctions.co.uk .
Outstanding vintage performers included:
Lot 223, a 1940s Rolex Oyster Chronograph whose condition suggested that it might have more than a tale or two to tell. This achieved £29,000 including premium.
Lot 86, a 45mm Heuer Calculator watch, an automatic chronograph surrounded by the early 1970’s best portable technology, a slide rule. This achieved £2,300 including premium.
Lot 173, a magnificent 18k gold Patek Philippe Beta 21 quartz. This first quartz model ever produced by these masters of all things mechanical achieved over £12,000 including premium.
The last two Lots represent some of the highest prices achieved at auction for these particular models.
Modern watches of note included a gentleman’s 18k rose gold Piaget Rectangle XL that reached £6,000 including premium, an 18k rose gold Vacheron Constantin Patrimony that realised £6,500 including premium and a mesmerising, diamond-set, Blancpain Leman Tourbillon that achieved over £31,000 including premium.
It was not just the rare or exclusive pieces that caught the bidders’ attention, steel Omega Constellations from the late 1950s made almost twice their expected prices while contemporary watches from Bulgari sailed over top estimate.
“When times are tough auctions can achieve great results for both buyers and sellers. Contemporary pieces can be bought at a significant saving compared to retail, while vintage watches receive the best possible exposure to achieve the maximum return for vendors” said Adrian Hailwood, Watch Business Manager.