Alphabet of time at Bonhams

From A-Z – or Arnold & Son to Zenith – the full Alphabet of Time can be found in a very special single-owner watch collection, all offered at Bonhams throughout 2016.

“The Alphabet of Time is part of the collection of a European Nobleman, one man’s 2,000 piece collection, believed to be the largest ever offered at auction,” said Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams Global Head of Watches. “Looking through this assortment of watches, we realised that due to its sheer size and diversity, we were able to assemble the ‘A to Z’ of watch brands.

“We’ve secured the world’s largest watch collection for auction, with many rare and beautiful pieces. The A-Z of watch brands is a delightful discovery, and the perfect way to highlight just how diverse it really is.”

Leading the Alphabet of Time is a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, reference 5020R (right), estimated at £20,000-30,000. Nicknamed the ‘TV watch’ due to its rounded square face, the watch was produced in very small numbers from the mid 1990s to 2002. Rarer still, it is believed that only a mere 25 were made in rose gold, making this example particularly unusual.

Further highlights include a limited edition manual wind tourbillon wristwatch from Saint Honoré, finished in rose gold and titanium, estimated at £10,000-20,000; a Rolex Daytona wristwatch, reference 116528, estimated at £8,000-12,000, an Arnold & Son Double Balance Sidereal Time, reference 1DGAP.W01A, estimated at £8,000-10,000, and a Romain Gauthier Prestige HM, estimated at £8,000-10,000. Each will feature in Bonhams Fine Watch sale, taking place 22 June 2016.

The complete Alphabet of Time includes: Arnold & Son, Breitling, Cartier, Daniel Roth, Edox, Franck Muller, Romain Gauthier, Saint Honoré, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Korloff, A. Lange & Söhne, Mark Brogsitter, Nienaber Bünde, Omega, Patek Philippe, Quinn, Rolex, Sarcar, Tag Heuer, Urban Jürgensen & Sønner, Voutilainen, J. & T. Windmills, Xemex, York and Zenith.

Boutique manufacturers such as Parisian brand Korloff, Nienaber Bunde and York from Germany, and Xemex of Switzerland, are also represented.

Read our guide to starting your own vintage watch collection here.