Eqotime and Stockholms Auktionsverk filled the salons with watch enthusiasts

It was a full house when Eqotime together with Stockholms Auktionsverk invited to an exclusive preview of The Fine Watches Sale. More than 100 guests gathered for an evening filled with bubbly, mingling and some of the most spectacular watches shown on Swedish soil in a long time The event was held in Auktionverket's premises in Östermalm in Stockholm.

Text & Photo: Andreas J. Weber

With more than 160 lots, this year's edition is also the largest watch auction in Stockholms Auktionsverk's more than 350 year long history. Visitors were given the opportunity to get close to everything from rare Patek Philippe complications and unique racing chronographs to military tool watches and historic pilot's watches. The atmosphere was at its peak all evening and the conversations around the display cases never really wanted to end.

The auction is held on 22 May at 13.00 and contains watches from some of the world's most sought-after manufacturers, among them Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega, Audemars Piguet, Piaget, Cartier, Panerai and Jaeger LeCoultre.

The editorial team picks five favourites

Patek Philippe Grand Complications ref. 3971

The evening's perhaps most impressive piece was without doubt this perpetual calendar with chronograph from Patek Philippe. Reference 3971 was manufactured in 1989 and comes with an Extract from the Archives showing that the watch was sold on 27 November the same year. The combination of a classic 36 millimetre case in 18K gold, moon phase and chronograph makes the model one of the most elegant complications from the era before modern giant sizes took over the market. Place a bid on the watch here.

Piaget Polo in multicoloured gold

The Piaget Polo is the definition of 1980s extravagant sports luxury. The multicoloured gold and the integrated design give the model an expression that is impossible to mistake for anything else. The smaller size of 27 millimetres also works perfectly in today's vintage trend where proportions have once again become important. Place a bid on the watch here.

Heuer Carrera Homage to Ronnie Peterson

One of the auction's most emotional objects is without doubt this unique example from TAG Heuer created as a tribute to the racing legend Ronnie “Superswede” Peterson. The unique gold chronograph was manufactured around 2017 and is a piece of Swedish motorsport history just as much as a collector's item among watch collectors. The combination of racing heritage and piece unique status meant that many guests stayed a long time at the display case. Place a bid on the watch here.

Lemania Type 30 Civilian Version

The vintage lovers flocked around this unusual civilian version of the Lemania Type 30 from around 1965. The model bears clear traces of its military DNA but in a more civilian guise that today is extremely sought after among collectors. With its clean dial, generous size and classic tool watch feel, this was one of the evening's great sleeper hits. Place a bid on the watch here.

Longines Rödtolva with Swedish aviation history

The most historically charged object at the viewing was perhaps still this single-button chronograph from Longines from around 1915. The so-called “Rödtolvan” comes with a fascinating provenance linked to the aviation pioneer Elis Esse Nordquist, who among other things was responsible for the reorganisation of the Persian air force and later worked at Saab. The combination of early chronograph technology, Swedish aviation history and fantastic patina makes this an object that almost feels museum-like. Place a bid on this watch here.

Eqotime's CEO Albin Johansson comments: ”The evening showed clearly that the interest in collector's watches continues to grow in Sweden and that Stockholms Auktionsverk's continued investment in watches is exactly right for the times”.

Between the display cases everything from provenance and movements to racing history and design icons was discussed, while at the same time new enthusiasts met experienced collectors over a glass of bubbly. If the atmosphere during the preview is any indication, a very intense auction awaits when the hammer falls on 22 May.

Mingling pictures

Eqotime says thank you for a strong start to the collaboration and looks forward to The Fine Watches Sale, whose catalogue you find here.