Watches & Watch accessories

Demonstrating the continued interest in pocket watches by most renowned English makers, two Georgian watches, one signed for Thomas Earnshaw and the other for Thomas Mudge, achieved strong results for regional salerooms on the same day in March.

This 18ct gold pocket watch by Charles Frodsham with accompanying chain (offered separately) was presented by Sir Victor Horsley (1857-1916) to the man he credited for saving his son’s life.

A Rolex used by Spanish sailor and scientist Vital Alsar Ramirez (1933-2020) during his Amazon and Atlantic expeditions in 1977 sold for £10,000 at Halls (24% buyer’s premium).

Just as rich Europeans coveted Chinese porcelain and lacquer in the 18th and 19th century, so the Chinese were fascinated by Western horology.

A trio of lots relating to Charles Dickens offered at Chichester saleroom Stride & Son (18% buyer’s premium) included a presentation pocket watch.

Beneath the simple ‘1950s dress watch’ styling, the Jaeger LeCoultre Geophysic hides a lot of post-war tech.

Introduced in 1960, the Bulova Accutron 214 was one of the electronic trailblazers.

Watches with provenance will naturally command a premium.

Brand names are everything in watch collecting.

The wristwatch, which began to replace the pocket watch in the First World War, really came into its own with the production of bespoke ‘tool’ watches for submariners and airmen later in the century

At the peak of his fame, the Anglo-Italian jewellery designer Andrew Grima was invited by Omega to create what would become the About Time collection.

A digital museum showcasing items from the celebrated clock collection of John C Taylor launches next month.

A tartan deck blanket, a pocket watch and a first-class dinner menu were all top-sellers in the latest auction of Titanic, White Star and Transport Memorabilia at Henry Aldridge & Son (plus 26.4% buyer’s premium).

The combination of a pre-eminent maker and a perfect provenance made a late 18th century pocket chronometer one of the most sought-after pieces at Dr Crott (25% buyer’s premium) in Mannheim on November 18.

Daniel Somlo is a watch dealer at Somlo London in Burlington Arcade and a qualified Omega watchmaker.

An exceptional silver Breguet hump-backed carriage clock commissioned by car maker Ettore Bugatti topped Bonhams’ latest Fine Clock Sale.

This rare Rolex reference 6238 was one made for the Japanese market in 1965.

A selection of antique and vintage jewels and watches on a £500 budget that are perfect for gift giving this season

The British scientific author David Salomons (1851-1925) – one-time owner of the world’s largest private collection of Breguet watches and clocks – said “to carry a fine Breguet watch is to feel that you have the brains of a genius in your pocket”.

Estimated at $2000-3000, this Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref 1491 sold for $37,500 (£31,250) at Roland Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) .