Marlborough, MA—This October the Clocks, Watches & Scientific department at Skinner will feature two distinct sales, a live auction, Fine Horology: The Estate of David G. Newsom, on October 22, and a timed online auction running October 13 to 20.
The Newsom Collection is the result of a lifetime of learning and passion for the art of timekeeping. From simple time-only watches to grand complicated minute repeaters with perpetual calendars, made by the most interesting and sought-after makers, purchased and pursued throughout the world: Switzerland to Germany to the States, via auctions or private dealers or collectors, there is not a watch or timepiece in this collection that was not highly regarded.
Astronomical Quarter-repeating Watch
(Lot 75, Estimate: $100,000-150,000)
The collection features some of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s finest accomplishments, including a rare No. 2835 astronomical quarter-repeating watch that George Daniels described and illustrated in his book The Art of Breguet, and Breguet’s No. 2729 “Une Minute” tourbillon watch, for which it took Newsom, a close friend, and the Breguet Depuis 1775 firm five years to correctly reproduce the engine-turned 18kt gold case, chain, and key as they had been lost decades ago.
Tourbillon Watch, sold to Le Baron de Pomaniczky,
October 28, 1817, for 1800 francs
(LOt 69, Estimate: $200,000-300,000)
Another highlight is Michel Parmigiani’s “Meccanica I” Unique Object Reference U1140, presented to David and his wife Carol, a testament to David’s appreciation for watchmaking across history.
Unique Object Reference U1140
(Lot 73, Estimate: $80,000-120,000)
The online sale, running October 13 through 20, will feature an array of fine timepieces, optical instruments, and early musical devices.
The sale begins with collection of Swiss, European, and American watches by some of the most sought-after brands including Patek Philippe, Waltham, and Hamilton Watch Co.
(Lot 1056, Estimate: $8,000-12,000)
Lot 1068 kicks off a group of mechanical wristwatches that have been sourced from around the country. Jean-Claude Biver, the man who helped save Blancpain, said: “…we relate to a watch as an element of culture rather than as an element of technology,” which speaks to the mechanical watch, rather than a quartz watch—how it will outlive the inevitable rise and fall of each new wave of technology—making it more than a piece of jewelry on your wrist that tells the time, but a form of art that can become an enduring heirloom.
White Gold Wristwatch.
(Lot 1068, Estimate: $1,000-1,500)
Highlights include an early stainless steel Patek Philippe Nautilus Reference 3700/1, a rare Patek Philippe Reference 2526 18kt Gold Automatic Wristwatch, and an early Gallet First Generation “Flight Officer” Chronograph Wristwatch with its original radium handset.
Patek Philippe Stainless Steel
Nautilus Reference 3700/1 Wristwatch
(Lot 1120, Estimate: $60,000-80,000)
18kt Gold Automatic Wristwatch
(Lot 1113, Estimate: $20,000-30,000)
“Flight Officer” Chronograph
Wristwatch and Box, c. 1940s
(Lot 1111, Estimate: $3,000-5,000)
Hans Wildorf’s sport model watches from his Rolex line must not be overlooked— we will be offering a few Cosmograph Daytonas (lots 1084, 1106, 1110) and a special Rolex 18kt Gold Reference 16758 “Serti” Dial GMT Master wristwatch with box and papers. You will also find watches that fall into the classic dress watch category, including some “ultra-slim” examples by Audemars Piguet and Vacheron & Constantin.
(Lot 1106, Estimate: $15,000-20,000)
“Serti” Dial GMT Master Wristwatch
with Box and Papers, c. 1984
(Lot 1095, Estimate: $30,000-40,000)
Early clocks by makers that are not often seen at auction include an Isaac Thomas Carved Curly Walnut Tall Clock, Willis Town, Chester County, Pennsylvania, c. 1765 and a “dwarf” clock made by Joshua Wilder from Hingham, Massachusetts. Beautiful enameled French shelf and carriage clocks will offered as well (lots 1242 and 1248).
Tall Clock, Willis Town, Chester
County, Pennsylvania, c. 1765
(Lot 1155, Estimate: $20,000-30,000)
(Lot 1158, Estimate: $7,000-9,000)
Ormolu and “Bleu Turquoise”
Porcelain Lyre Clock, Joseph
Dieudonne Kinable, c. 1820
(Lot 1242, Estimate: $20,000-30,000)
A small but impressive collection of microscopes from a New England collector includes an unmarked French Oberhauser-style drum microscope and accessories and an Elliot Brothers compound binocular and monocular microscope.
Binocular and Monocular Microscope, London, 19th century
(Lot 1291, Estimate: $500-700)
Microscope and Accessories, 19th century
(Lot 1296, Estimate: $300-500)
Early photography includes two Deardorff large format studio cameras.
(Lot 1346, Estimate: $800-1,200)
(Lot 1348, Estimate: $400-600)
The sale concludes with a musical concerto of disc and cylinder musical boxes from the late 19th century by some of the best Swiss firms.
Previews & Catalogs
We invite you to preview items, ask questions of our specialist, and learn more about the auction process at Skinner. Free and open to the public, previews for the auction will be held October 18–21, by appointment.
Contact Us:
clocks@skinnerinc.com
watches@skinnerinc.com
508.970.3201
Purchase the print catalog or view it online.
About Skinner
Skinner attracts top consignments and commands record-breaking prices in the international auction marketplace. With renowned expertise and extraordinary service, Skinner is the place for buyers, sellers and the passionately curious. Skinner appraisers are familiar faces on PBS’s 19-time Emmy Award-nominated ANTIQUES ROADSHOW. Visit us in Boston, Marlborough, New York, Florida, or online at Skinnerinc.