Weekly Wind Down | Sales Highlights including watches from Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe and Rolex

2018 AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK 'LIMITED EDITION ‘SANSKRIT DIAL'

This is a Royal Oak so rare, it’ll have even the most committed Audemars Piguet fans scratching their heads. Released in 2018 as a limited edition of just 30 pieces worldwide, this mysterious version of AP’s iconic sports watch features a deep green tapisserie dial with bold orange Sanskrit characters to mark the hours. 

Sanskrit is a classical language of ancient India and holds significant cultural importance. While we’ve seen many numbers, fonts, shapes and materials used on watch dials, this historical language is a true rarity. Matched with the Royal Oak’s distinctive angular case and bracelet, this watch offers a glimpse of 50 years of watchmaking and 3,500 years of human culture and language. Recently sold on Watch Collecting for £148,251. 

2022 PATEK PHILIPPE ANNUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH

We don’t often see stainless steel creations from Patek Philippe, especially outside of its sports watch offerings. In 2021, the 5905 was re-invigorated with a contemporary sunray green dial and steel case. It’s the first time this reference has been offered in this specification, and to add an extra hint of sportiness, the alligator strap has been swapped out for a bracelet. 

With the popularity of the Nautilus and Aquanaut, it’s easy to see why this watch has attracted plenty of attention. The annual calendar and chronograph are signature complications from Patek, too, and deliver plenty of horological firepower to this sporty release. Recently sold on Watch Collecting for £44,000. 

2022 ROLEX GMT-MASTER II 'SPRITE'

Now that the dust has settled on the ‘Sprite’, after its 2022 release, it’s worth revisiting this slightly strange rendition of the GMT-Master II. Rolex is good at surprises and its fair to say that absolutely nobody was expecting this!

 At first glance, it looks like a regular GMT-Master II with a black and green bezel, which makes complete sense. However, on close inspection, it becomes apparent that the crown and date have been relocated to the left side of the case, ensuring that left-handed watch enthusiasts don’t feel left out. For the rest of us, this is an upside-down GMT, but we all still want one!  Recently sold on Watch Collecting for £16,600.