These Are The Incredibly Rare Timepieces At The Only Watch Auction 2023

From Audemars Piguet to Louis Vuitton, these are some of the rare and incredibly special timepieces at the 2023 Only Watch Auction.

By Adrienne Faurote

Haute Complication: Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395

The complexity of a watch can go beyond its movement and complications. The way it is created, and decorated can also add to this. As the inventor of the tourbillon, is this complication still the calling card of Breguet. They show their passion for this through a variety of different models, among them the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Squelette 5395. While, in essence, a classic, time-only version, Breguet has applied innovation on nearly every level, maintaining their heritage and rich DNA, but at the same time create a watch fit for the future.

The Tradition 7035 Is Breguets Latest Diamond Delight

Diamonds can add something to a watch, but how much depends significantly on their setting. They can merely serve as a precious element, or they can elevate the entire timepiece to a higher level altogether. An excellent example of the latter is Breguet's latest addition to their collection, the Tradition 7035. Here the diamonds are quite literally integrated into the design of the watch, creating a sparkling symbiosis of precious stones with mechanical excellence.

Unconventional Tourbillons That Set The Pace For The Future

A tourbillon is often considered one of the most traditional complications. One thing that comes into play with this is its respectable age as it was developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1785 and patented in 1801. However, it took until the revival of watchmaking after the quartz crisis to be used extensively in wristwatches. Now there hardly isn't a brand that doesn't have one in its collection. Standing out can then be a challenge, but at the same time, it also offers the opportunity to innovate and pave the way for the future of this highly regarded complication.

Four Watches For Valentine

With Valentine's day around the corner, now is the time to surprise your loved one with a gift that lasts a lifetime, like a watch. While it can witness, and time, all the precious moments you spend together, finding the right one can be a bit of a challenge. Here are four exciting options that all, each in their own way, represent qualities that also can be found in love.

Haute Time’s Hottest Watches Of 2020

In many ways, 2020 was not an ordinary year. The Covid-19 pandemic left its marks everywhere. Lockdowns not only slowed down international travel but also confined us more and more into our own direct surroundings. This required tremendous perseverance and ingenuity to keep businesses afloat and remain in contact with those that matter. At first, it looked like the watch industry would take a direct hit. Jewelers worldwide were forced to close their doors, trade shows where canceled, and even many manufactures had to stop production for a while due to the Covid-19 outbreak in Switzerland. But as the pandemic continued, the market recovered. Jewelers sold more online than ever before, with a strong demand for the latest models and an intensified interest in vintage watches. Many watch brands had already planned their releases for this year prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, so the effect on that will be more visible next year. However, 2020 was a year worthwhile in watchmaking, of which the following were amongst the hottest releases.

Haute Complication; Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 Quai de l’Horloge

There are quite a few watches that offer more than one tourbillon, but none quite like the Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon. The brand introduced this watch in 2006, and what sets it apart is that it combines two tourbillon cages mounted on the main plate. This entire plate moves and makes a full circle, which allows Breguet to mount the hour hand on it. While this makes the watch quite imposing, regardless of the version it was made in, is the latest, the Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 Quai de l'Horloge, actually a step up.

The Breguet Boutiques Get Two New And Exclusive Models

It is a strategy that quite a few brands follow; launch models that are only available in their own boutiques. Over the years, this has proven to be a worthwhile strategy for them, as in search of something special, many made the pilgrimage to obtain a watch that cannot be found elsewhere. Breguet just added two new boutique editions that make it indeed very tempting to visit one of their boutiques, as they offer all the distinct features of the brand in a unique package.

Four Watches For Mother’s Day

This year will be not a Mother's Day as usual. In many countries, people can't take their mother out for lunch or even visit her due to the restrictions concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet that doesn't mean that Mother's Day 2020 is canceled. There are still many ways in which we can surprise our mothers, and perhaps now is the time to treat her on a very special watch, to underscore not only how you feel about her, but also the importance of time, especially time shared together. One of the following four watches might be the perfect option:

Breguet Is Betting On Blue With New Models

Blue is here to stay, not only for nautical-inspired watches but throughout the spectrum of different types of timepieces. This can hardly come as a surprise as the color often strikes just the right tone and can just as easily be worn with formal wear as well as match with something casual. However, when a brand like Breguet is also betting big on blue, donning some of its most classic creations in this color, we have truly confirmation that blue has arrived.

Four Watches That Are Making Waves

Standing out in the competitive field of water-loving watches is quite a task these days. Nearly every brand has a watch in its collection that likes to get wet, all competing for the favor of the consumer. Many brands utilize tried and tested designs, often inspired by the icons in this category, but a few brands take a more original approach. The following four watches are most certainly making waves;

Haute Time’s Hottest Tourbillons Of 2019

Also in 2019, the tourbillon ruled supreme as one of the most popular complications in Haute Horlogerie. Throughout the year, many new interpretations of the tourbillon where launched. Somewhere completely new creations, while other varieties of watches that we are already familiar with. The following four were for us among the hottest ones introduced in 2019;

Haute Time’s Hottest Watches Of 2019

Time flies when having fun, and this is most certainly the case as another year is coming close to an end. In the world of watches, 2019 was quite exciting. It was the year in which the stainless steel sports watch with Haute Horlogerie pedigree still ruled supreme, especially those with blue dials, and even welcomed some new members to the club, such as the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus. The waiting list for some of these watches breaks records, but they are not the only stainless steel watches to do so, as just last weekend the Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A-010, the only one ever to be made in steel, broke the record of most expensive wristwatch ever to be sold at auction when the hammer fell at CHF 31,000,000,-.

The ‘Waxing’ Appeal Of Vintage Moon Phase Watches

A display that tells the current phase of the moon is among one of the earliest complications that were added to a watch. In today's world, not many people have a particular need to know the exact phase of the moon, but in the past, it played a far more significant role in everyday life. While the importance of this complication has changed over the years, its appeal hasn't. Even on modern watches, a moon phase indicator is among one of the most popular complications, yet a vintage watch with this feature has an appeal of its own.

Let’s Make Some Noise! Four Watches That Do Just That

Most mechanical watches emit a sound of some sort. Some tick modestly, yet others quite noticeably. This is not really on purpose, but more the way that they are constructed. There is, however, a category of watches that are designed to make a sound. Some chime the time, others have an audible alarm, but all are without exception fitted with a beautiful and complex movement, such as the following four watches.

The Watch Before The Icon: Breguet’s First Ventures In Wristchronographs

With the Type XX is Breguet one of the very few watch brands that have an iconic chronograph in their stable. This watch did not appear out of the blue, as from 1935 on Breguet was already building its first wristwatches with chronographs. Later on, they would evolve into the Type XX, but even those early chronographs had a distinct appeal to them, like this model from 1938 proves.

It’s Not All About The Dial Side: 4 Incredible Movements

With most watches, there is only one way to wear them on your wrist: dial side up. While this is a true pleasure, it also means that the heart of the watch, its movement, it hidden. For decades the privilege of seeing the movement and being able to admire all its details and craftsmanship was that of the watchmakers making and servicing these watches. Today, especially in the higher echelons of watchmaking, a display back is almost standard and allows us to behold the true magic behind mechanical watches; movements with technical ingenuity and a perfect finish on even the smallest part, turning these practical objects into the realm of wearable art.