A Renoir-inspired pocket watch sale sees Christie’s important watches auction reach £5.3 million


An exclusive Patek Philippe pocket watch with Suzanne Rohr enamel which was based on Pierre-August Renoir’sTwo Sisters(1881) obliterated the forecasted sale price at Christie’s sale of Important Watches in New York last week (June 17).

Pierre-Auguste Renoir-Two Sisters (On the Terrace)-Google Art Project antique pocket watch Pieces of Time

The antique pocket watch UK collectors and those around the world would have been keeping a close eye on, was created in Geneva in 1985, and realised £223,890, against its pre-sale approximation of £76,110-£114,170. The movement also took the top lot of all involved.

The timepiece to claim second spot was a Patek Philippe’s 18-carat gold split-seconds chronograph wristwatch produced 65 years ago, in 1950 with £216,160, also above its estimate of £95,080- £158,470.

Succeeding in pipping the other lots to the third spot was another Patek Philippe piece, an 18-carat gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, made in 1976, and sold for £193,300.

In total, the auction provided 265 lots, including not only vintage and modern timepieces, but pens too.

Image: DcoetzeeBot under Creative Commons.