The Four Seasons Hotel des Bregues in Geneva is in for a splendid treat as it will be hosting the 221-piece Rare Watches auction on the 14^th of May this year. The pieces hail from 1875 to 2017 and are said to be majorly consigned pieces by private collectors hailing mainly from Europe. The sale is said to comprise of three important private collections, and are estimated to fetch around CHF 15 million.

The first collection is the Rare Patek Philippe timepieces from an important private collection and includes lots 93 to 103. The eclectic group of 11 watches represents one of the most important single owner collection of modern Patek Philippe timepieces to come up for auction in recent years. The highlight of this collection is the “Grand Complication” reference 5208P.

The second collection is the Property of an important Swiss private collector and includes lots 136 – 182. The 47 contemporary pieces have been compiled by the collector over the last decade.

The third and final collection comprises of lots 199 – 208 and is called the important private Italian collection. This includes exclusive and rare Rolex models like the Daytona “Paul Newman” ref. 6264 and comes with original guarantee.

Given below are some of the top lots from the various collections.

The top lot from the Patek Philippe private collection is the Grand Complication reference 5208P

The top lot of the pocket watch section is an extremely fine and important Patek Philippe first prize winning observatory competition tourbillon

Possibly the most recognizable wristwatch made by Patek Philippe, the Nautilus designed by Gérald Genta and inspired by the shape of a ship’s porthole, strikes the perfect balance between sporty, elegant and understated. This exceptional Nautilus chronograph is believed to be the first and so far only example of a reference 5980/1400G-010 to appear at public auction.

The “Mk 1 Panda” Paul Newman Rolex Oyster Cosmograph reference 6263 (estimate CHF 600,000 – 1,000,000) is considered the ultimate vintage Cosmograph model, its water-resistant case with screw-down chronograph pushers and black bezel is combined with what is generally agreed to be the most beautiful dial ever created for a wristwatch.

Recently discovered, this exquisite piece dating from around 1810 has never been offered at auction or published before and is believed to be the only padlock-form automaton known to exist to date. It is attributed to Piguet and Capt.

The Pearl of Bahrain” (estimate CHF 100,000 – 200,000) with its exalted royal provenance, bespoke design, visual magnetism and superb pristine condition is one of the most compelling and important time-only Patek Philippe wristwatches to ever be offered at auction. This exceptional and previously unrecorded 18K pink gold wristwatch with rose dial and natural seed pearl hour markers is one of only two known examples presented by His Highness Emir Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa I of Bahrain.