Dh300,000 wristwatch in Dubai? Going once…

From this October, Christie’s Dubai will re-launch its watch sale as part of its regular sale season, the auction house said in a media statement today.

Breguet, Patek Philippe, Piguet, Bulgari, Chopard, Cartier, IWC, Rolex, Tag Heuer are among the brands represented among the 48 pieces to be offered, with estimates from $1,000 (Dh3,700) to $80,000 (Dh296,000).

With a combined value of around $1 million (Dh3.7m), the sale will be held immediately after the Part I sale on the evening of October 29, 2013.

(Breguet 18k)

“The sale is a response to repeated requests from clients in the region for Christie’s, the international market leaders in this category, to re-instate the successful watch auctions here in Dubai,” said Frederic Watrelot, Christie’s watch specialist in Dubai.

“Reflecting the taste of our Middle Eastern collectors, we have kept the sale small but perfectly formed, concentrating on leading brands at attractive prices,” he said.

“We made a strategic decision to hire a regionally-based specialist 15 months ago, mirroring the successful formula we follow for our art sales,” added Michael Jeha, Managing Director Christie’s Middle East.

“This ensures that Christie’s are able to source the best pieces available and understand the specific needs of our regional client base. We are delighted to re-introduce this additional sale category to our Middle Eastern sales.”