Known as the Star Caliber 2000, the collection features four Patek Philippe watches - yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum – which were made to mark the millennium. The set of four double-dialled clock watches features 21 complications.
The Star Caliber 2000 was produced in five sets, each comprising four watches. This collection is expected to return between $USD10 million ($AUD15.49 million) and $USD20 million ($AUD30.98 million).
“The cases are worth noting, as the legendary Jean-Pierre Hagmann crafted them in a half-hunter bassine-style, and particular attention was given to let the chime ring through,” writes Mark Kauzlarich for Hodinkee.
“The front of the dial features an aperture to display the time, accompanied by engraved and enamelled Breguet numerals surrounding the aperture.
“Master engraver Christian Thibert worked on the front while opening the back to acanthus leaf motifs and Renaissance-inspired ironwork engraving and chased details.”
Only one of these watches has ever appeared at auction before – a yellow model that sold for $USD3.3 million ($AUD5.1 million) at a sale in Hong Kong in 2012.
Among the other items of note is the 31-carat Desert Rose, the largest fancy vivid orangy-pink diamond in the world, with an estimate of $USD7 million ($AUD10.84 million). Sotheby’s will host the Collectors Week event from 2-5 December in Dubai.
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