Pablo Picasso-Owned Watch s Jaw-Dropping Sale at Bonhams Paris
This Quirky Picasso-Owned Watch Just Sold for $267,000
Getty Images / Tony Vaccaro
A rare wristwatch belonging to Pablo Picasso sold this week, smashing pre-auction estimates for a jaw-dropping auction result.
On Thursday, the collectible went under the hammer at Bonhams Paris where it sold for an incredible $266,978 – 20 times its modest pre-sale estimate.
At first glance a well-worn humble 32mm steel watch, the watch dial displays a seemingly random collection of letters in place of time markings: P A B L O P I C A S S O. It s an exceptional example of horological self-branding.
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The letters of his name are spelled out by the hour markers of the otherwise unremarkable Swiss stainless steel timepiece, made by the little-known Michael Z. Berger Co in 1960.
As Bonhams Paris point out in their auction notes, Picasso had the good fortune to have a name of exactly 12 letters. It is serendipitous that Pablo Picasso is 12 letters long a
nd it was something he was surely aware of and was waiting to create when he had the chance, they say.
Paris – Bonhams announces a sparkling new addition to its sales calendar this year with the launch of new luxury sales at the heart of the city of lights to take place at Bonhams French HQ on the prestigious
rue de la Paix. Part of Bonhams expansion in France will be a new two-part, cross-category sale in
May, which will bring together Bonhams global luxury divisions to offer a selection of modern and period jewellery, exceptional watches, and designer handbags by world-renowned names. Pieces will be on display and available to view at Bonhams Paris HQ.
Patrick Masson, Bonhams Managing Director, UK & Europe, said; Bonhams new series in Paris takes our Luxury sales to a new level in the heart of the home of luxury itself. Luxury connoisseurs no longer think in categories – a watch collector may collect jewellery as well whisky or contemporary art. These collectors are excited by sales that contain a wide range of tastes and interests and that s what Bonhams Luxury series a