Yesterday Bonhams held their New York auction, some highlights of which you can see here. But now we turn our attention overseas to Bonhams London. Their sale is next week, on December 18th, and it will feature a number of excellent manually-wound chronographs covering all eras of the complication's history. Here are a few of our favorites spanning the decades.
Paul Buhre Monopusher from Circa 1910
We'll start with the earliest of the bunch. This gold Paul Buhre monopusher chronograph (Lot 253) dates to circa 1910. With styling reminiscent of a pocket watch, this manually-wound chronograph comes on its original strap and with its original presentation box, featuring the insignia of Tsar Nicolas II. In 1899 Paul Buhre was made "Supplier of the Imperial Court" of Russia, though after the Bolshevik revolution they severed ties with the USSR. This is a seriously cool piece of history, even if one you might not wear too often (or at all for that matter).
Lemania Military Chronograph
Moving forward a few decades, we have this iconic military chronograph from the 1940s (Lot 124). Made by Lemania (who went on to be famous for making some of the 20th century's most important chronograph movements), this steel chronograph is 37mm, has recessed subregisters, and features olive shaped pushers. The fake watch is dated to circa 1945, meaning it almost surely did not see any action during World War II, even though it is styled like a classic pilot's chronograph. For some collectors this may detract from the provenance, though for others it alleviates potential objections to who the fake watch originally served. Either way, the estimate is a modest $2,400-3,200.
Universal Dato-Compax
While the pilot's chronograph is all about basic function and legibility for quick reading, Universal Geneve's Compax chronographs are all about maximizing complication in style. This Dato-Compax from circa 1950 (Lot 109)is a perfect example. Using a Universal calibre 287DX manual wind chronograph movement, the Dato-Compax combines the function of a three-register chronograph with a date register at 12 o'clock. Universal also made Tri-Compax models, which featured a chronograph with a triple calendar.
Jaeger Military Chronograph From 1970
Circa 1960, Jaeger produced this military chronograph (Lot 301), which reminds us a lot of the new Deep Sea Chronograph. This fake watch has a deep black bakelite bezel, three registers, pump pushers. On the chronograph minutes dial at 3 o'clock, you can see the longer marks at 3, 6, and 9 minutes, which were when long distance phone call rates jumped up in price - a very useful thing to be able to track accurately. The estimate on this fake watch is $2,900-3,500.
Daytona 6239
Finally, we have one of the most iconic chronographs of all time - the Replica Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman," reference 6239 (Lot 295). The steel bezel, pump pushers, and white-on-black dial are tough to out-do, and this particular fake watch carries a story as well. It was originally sold in the Falkland Islands at the F.I.C., the Falklands Island Company store in 1971, where residents could special order replica watches to be delivered to them on the islands. This is one of very few Replica Rolexes to ever be bought this way, and the fake watch is accompanied by a booklet stamped with the store's name.
For more on the December 18th London sale, please visit the Bonhams website.
Sponsored Bonhams On The Block Pre Soviet Monopusher Falkland Islands Paul Newman And Other Chronographs At Bonhams London 11807