Thanks for providing the link, Osnabreuck.

The collection was one of the best in the world. Unfortunately, it has been chopped up and sold by the lot. Sandberg's criteria for acquiring new watches was said to be very strict. I think he only acquired watches that were fifty-years-old or older. I wonder what he paid initially to assemble that collection. A couple million quid? It sold for $10+ million at 2001 prices.

I do remember reading about his auction when it was scheduled. If memory serves me correctly, there was a mention that he was sad to lose the collection, almost as if he had to sell it.

Magnificent collection.

That would be sad for him.

Last year I saw Edmond Safra's collection of fine objects was sold off.

He had some fabulous Fabergé clocks and other things. Obviously his wife did not share his love for them.

Just found this. I don't know if this was the reason for the auction, but Lord Sandberg was a majority stockholder in a failed bank, Amtrade Bank. The bank was shut due to losses in Latin America in mid 2002. However, the auction for his watches was held in April.

Don`t ask me how expensive thay are but the Bovet company makes some of the most uniquely beautiful timepeices I`ve yet seen. I love the "Jumping Hours Openwork" and the "Recital 1" (pictured) but there are some other beautiful timepieces that should be viewed, enjoy!



^ technical data:

BOVET’s most unusual timepiece features a central jumping digital hour set in a rock crystal glass revealing the poetry of its original movement. The white luminova triangle shows the minutes against the black enamel dial ring.

This year, the art of the fleurisanne hand-engraving shows its magnificence on this version on the power reserve plate, the bow and the strap-bolt.

Amazingly for their size, the 12 central hours are all on one disc, offset so its rim is leveled with the movement’s. They jump instantaneously as the white triangle reaches the 60th minute at 12 o’clock.

This year, a beautiful engraving in fleurisanne style decorates the power reserve plate, visible through the crystal rock dial.
A sapphire-crystal caseback reveals the movement and its gold winding rotor, beautifully decorated with openings in fleurisanne shape.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Case: 42mm case in 18K white gold
Sapphire cabochon-set crown and strap-bolts
Non-reflecting sapphire glass on front and back case

Height: 14,50 mm

Dial: Openwork engraved in fleurisanne style
Blackened jumping hours disk with numerals in
white luminova
Black rotating minutes ring with triangle indicator coated with white luminova

Movement: Self-winding calibre 13BA04
Winding rotor in 22K gold, with openings in fleurisanne shape
Bridges engraved in fleurisanne style
Screws angled and blued by fire

Balance frequency: 28’800 V/h

Power reserve: 48 hours

Indications: Jumping hours on central disk, minutes by white triangle

Water-resistance: 30 meters (100 feet, 3ATM)

Bracelet: Alligator hand stitched
Folding buckle in 18K gold





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