Weekly Wind Down | Sales Highlights including watches from Tag Heuer, Rolex and Jaeger-LeCoultre

Tag Heuer is a brand with undeniable heritage, but in more recent times, has fallen out of favour with collectors.  It’s clear that owner LVMH is committed to turning this around with the launch of the Carrera ‘Glassbox’. Strictly speaking, the bezel-less design, which harkens back to the plastic crystals of vintage references, isn’t completely new. It first appeared in 2015 and featured in a number of releases, however these were all limited editions. For 2023, on the Carrera's 60th birthday, The ‘Glassbox’ was offered as a general release. 

I know looks are subjective, but damn this new Carrera looks good! One of the most appealing variants is the ‘Skipper’- a sea-faring take on a terrestrial watch which trades lap timing for regatta countdowns. It was first reincarnated in a limited collaboration with Hodinkee in 2017 and has since gained a keen following. In addition to its practical application, the Skipper also incorporates a fresh aesthetic with its multicoloured sector sub-dials. This appealing release is sure to bring new enthusiasts to the brand, and might even turn the heads of some stubborn old collectors, too. Recently sold on Watch Collecting for £4,000. 

We’ve talked a lot recently about Rolex’s more flamboyant side, including the release of the ‘Celebration’ Oyster Perpetual. If you want to marvel at the 51 circles of joy on the dial, have a look at the one we recently sold here. Against a backdrop of utilitarian-looking Submariners, GMTs and Explorers, these lively releases really stand out. 

Few make an impact greater than the watch affectionately known as the ‘Tutti Frutti’. This vivacious spin on the Yacht-Master trades a timing bezel for a blend of sapphires, rubies and diamonds - and that’s just the beginning. The dial is completely paved with diamonds and the case is crafted in a solid rose gold. Depending on who you ask, this daring release either looks like a packet of sweets, or a creative masterpiece with impressive gem-setting. Whatever side of the fence you're on, nobody can deny that this watch turns heads. Recently sold on Watch Collecting for £100,000.

We’ve all heard the story of how the Reverso was designed for Polo players and that the swivelling case protects the dial from knocks. The lesser told story about Jaeger-LeCoultre’s hero watch is that it represents unbeatable value on the pre-owned market. The Reverso, in all its forms, can be acquired second hand at compelling prices and affords more collectors the opportunity to own a Swiss watchmaking icon. 

Take this example, an archetypal version of the Reverso, which recently sold for £1,400! It’s got all of the features that make the Reverso a legend including the rectangular case, guilloche dial and black Arabic numerals. The quartz movement might be a stickler for some, but in reality it suits a dressy watch like this that you might pull out of the drawer on occasion. What's more, it has that ‘set and forget’ convenience, not to mention great accuracy. We really don’t think it’s possible to get this level of horological firepower for the price in any other model. Recently sold on Watch Collecting for £1,400