Widely described as the “Holy Grail” of timepieces, this Patek Philippe-made device is expected to fetch GBP 10 million (US $16.1 million) at auction next month in Geneva.
Auction house Sotheby’s is paying tribute to the 175th anniversary of the distinguished watch manufacturer through the sales of the Henry Graves Supercomplication, which dates back to 1925.
The clue is in the name. The watch is literally ‘supercomplicated’ and Graves, a banker and watch fanatic, commissioned Philippe to create the unique piece but had to wait eight years for the finished product – still widely accepted as the most complicated pocketwatch created by hand.
The timepiece boasts 24 ‘complications’, including a perpetual calendar, moon phases, a power reserve and a representation of the stars above New York City.
Sotheby’s sold Graves’ watch for US $11 million in 1999, a record price at the time, but next month sees the horological Holy Grail up for grabs once again, and the auction house is estimating a much higher price tag, upwards of $16 million.
Other auction highlights include other Patek Philippe models, such as the ‘iconic reference 3448’, which has a case back engraved with the national emblem of the sultanate of Oman. And Rolex timepieces will also be well represented.
The auction takes November 11 in Geneva but the Graves watch can currently be seen in the UK at Sotheby's (34-35 New Bond Street, London) until Tuesday October 21.
You can also view the video on Sotheby's website.