As has been tradition now for a few years, ahead of the Christie’s Important Watches Auction in Dubai on March 23, an exclusive cocktail was organized for WatchTime Middle East readers and fellow watch enthusiasts at the Godolphin Ballroom, Emirates Towers Hotel on March 20.

Readers and guests had the opportunity to get a close look at the some really rare timepieces from the Dubai as well as the Christie’s Geneva Auction later in May.

This year’s auction is slated to the biggest in the auction’s history here in Dubai and understandably there were some really talking points for the guests attending that evening.

A big contingent of Christie’s watch experts have descended on the city and they were on hand to answer questions from the guests.

The belle of the ball was undoubtedly the ultra-rare Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph Ref. 1518 in yellow gold that was once belonged to King Farouk, the penultimate king of Egypt and Sudan.

The watch has a pre-sale estimate of $400,000-800,000 and is all set to create a new record for the most expensive wristwatch sold at any auction in the Middle East.

The auction will be held tomorrow, March 23 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel. Last year’s auction was the biggest sale of vintage watches in the region with a total of $5.4 million.

Have you read our preview of the more interesting lots that we fancied from this year’s auction lots yet?

