Your chance to own an Ottoman Sultan watch

Dubai - The watch was sold on December 29, 1885, to Messrs Mir & Cottereau in Istanbul.

Three historic and valuable watches - two of which have a strong connection to India - will go under the hammer over the next three days as Christie's auction house celebrates its 10th anniversary in the region.
The series of auctions begins today with the important watches collection, which includes an extremely rare 18k pink gold hunter case minute repeating perpetual calendar keyless lever Breguet watch with moon phases, signed Audemars, No. 12, 144 and Breguet, No. 3,938.
The watch was sold on December 29, 1885, to Messrs Mir & Cottereau in Istanbul. The initials engraved on the front cover of the watch are be-lieved to be those of Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamed II - the last Sul-tan to exert effective control over the Ottoman Empire. The ruler - who had 13 wives - was known for his fine tastes. The lot is estimated to sell for between $25,000 and $35,000.
Two other watches up for auction have a special connection to India. The Audermars Piguet Royal Oak offshore, Sachin Tendulkar model, number 132 out of a 300 limited edition, which was produced in 2013 to celebrate the master batsman's stellar performances. Tendulkar - an avid watch collector - has been part of team Audermars Piguet for more than 10 years as a brand ambassador. On the field, he would always wear a rubber strapped Audermars Piguet. The watch is expected to sell for $12,000 to $18,000.
Another watch, by Swiss watchmaker Corum, is one of 50 limited editions made in 1997 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of India's Independence, just as India's fine watch market was beginning to flourish. The watch was then priced at Rs390,000 (approximately Dh22,000). Lot number 15, which is up for auction, is expected to sell for between $7,000 and $12,000.
sujata@khaleejtimes.com

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