Exceptional Elegance and Spectacular Design at the Major Watch Auction in Vienna

Major Watch Auction in Vienna: 18th June, 4pm

The auction house im Kinsky will offer 142 wrist and pocket watches at its large summer auction, giving watch enthusiasts, collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to acquire sought-after pieces at auction.

De Grisogono: Men’s Wristwatch “Instrumento Doppio”, Limited Edition “No. 12/20-1”

The company de Grisogono may no longer exist, but in the years between its founding in 1993 until its closing, it created a new standard for jewellery and watches that has secured its legacy. The attention to detail in its craftsmanship, its powerful and expressive design, and its exclusivity make de Grisogono timepieces coveted collector's items.

Its first watch was launched in 2000 and was an immediate, albeit surprising, success that was to be repeated several times in the years that followed. In addition to black diamonds, Fawaz Gruosi was the first designer to use leather obtained from sharks or rays, as can be found in our watch.

The "Instrumento Doppio" was presented at the Basel trade fair in 2002; with its rotating case, it featured a chronograph with an oversized date display on one side and a second time zone with an analog display on the other. Technically, the Doppio broke new ground in that both displays were driven by the same movement, with the hands of the second time zone side running through the winding rotor.

Jaeger-LeCoultre: Masterful Complications with Record Factor

Jaeger-LeCoultre is distinguished by its long history and tradition. Since its foundation in 1833, the company has made a name for itself with over 430 patents and 1,400 unparalleled calibers.

Our "Mini Reverso Joaillerie" ladies' wristwatch is part of this tradition. The "Reverso" is one of the most iconic watches created by Jaeger-LeCoultre. David LeCoultre commissioned Jaeger S.A. to develop a reversible case, which was officially patented in 1931. A short time later, the world's smallest caliber was created: the "101" caliber. It weighed barely one gram and consisted of 74 individual parts. One of these first models was worn by Elizabeth II at her coronation in 1953. Today's versions consist of 98 parts and still hold the record.

Patek Philippe: Wristwatch “Ellipse”

Since its foundation in 1839, Patek Philippe has established itself as one of the leading watch manufacturers. Its reliability, high quality specifications­­ -- considered to be the strictest in the industry -- and the values embodied by their timepieces, are guaranteed by in-house production, finish and assembly.

But in addition to these tangible and measurable values, in addition to beauty and elegance, it is the emotions that these watches convey that make Patek Philippe so special. A timepiece from this watch manufacturer is an treasure to which precious memories can be attached. In this way, a Patek Philippe skilfully bridges the gap between past and future.

Breguet et fils: The Watch of Kings and World Leaders

As an ingenious inventor, Abraham Louis Breguet is an essential figure in the history of watchmaking. In addition to many innovations, including the repeater and free escapement, his crowning success was the tourbillon. A complication that every renowned watch manufacturer has implemented in at least one of its models.

The list of Breguet's customers is storied and exclusive. Famous wearers of these timepieces include Napoléon Bonaparte, Caroline Murat, Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, Tsar Alexander I, Alexander Pushkin, Honoré De Balzac, Winston Churchill, Baron Rothschild and Alexander von Humboldt.

Even though the company is no longer family-owned and has changed both its name and its owners several times, watches are produced in the Vallée de Joux in the memory and legacy of its founder.

Audermars Piguet “Royal Oak”: Innovation with Cult Status

The watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet has been family-owned since it was founded in 1875. The company initially concentrated on the production of high-quality pocket watches and won prizes at the World Exhibition in Paris for its watches equipped with chronographs, perpetual calendars and minute repeaters.

However, the company achieved its greatest success in the 1970s with the "Royal Oak". The legendary watch designer Gérald Genta created an octagonal bezel, replaced gold with steel and the model was predicted to be a failure -- which ultimately never occurred. The revolutionary sports watch was well received by Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli, other stars, including Lionel Messi, wore the timepiece and the "Royal Oak" became one of the classic models and now enjoys cult status.

Franck Muller: “Cintrée Curvex” with Perpetual Calendar, limited Edition “No. 29”

Shortly after completing his training at the Geneva School of Watch Making, Franck Muller distinguished himself with his extraordinary technical talent, which brought auction houses and collectors from all over the world to him to have their pieces restored. It is therefore not surprising that he went his own way just a few years later and created timepieces under his own name -- always with the aim of creating wristwatches that are just as technically sophisticated as pocket watches.

The "Cintrée Curvex" was an extraordinary creation from the start: watches of the time were round or sometimes rectangular, but none were shaped like the Curvex. In 1992, a design was created that was second to none; clean and understated, it has become a distinctive feature of the brand and enjoys great popularity among collectors.

(Valerie Gaber)