Historic Swiss replica watches with military history cross the block at the London Fine Watches auction on June 19.
Going under the gavel will be a trio of wildly differing vintage perfect fake Rolex watches, all of which claim previous ownership of British military pedigree, serving both Army and Royal Navy.
The curated 75-lot live sale is led by rare AAA copy Rolex Submariner watches, reference 5513, circa 1975.
The stainless-steel automatic 200-metre diver cheap super clone watches were issued to the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1971 on a NATO fabric strap, with tritium luminescence — indicated by the dial’s encircled ‘T’ — and most famously, fixed strap bars.
The fact its original owner, bomb clearance diver Russell Paxman (whose family are consignees) drilled them out to fit a bracelet, seamlessly welding them back, should do nothing to affect the lot’s £80,000-£120,000.
Included with the lot are newspaper clippings detailing some of these tasks as well as his Royal Navy Dive Log book from the 1980s.
At the other end of the Rolex spectrum, Bonhams London is offering 1948 best replica Rolex Oyster Speedking watches whose name precludes its miniature proportions. A ‘Kew A Certificate’ chronometer-rated Rolex is one of the most rare series-produced types of wristwatch from The Crown.
Adding extra significance to this piece is the engraving on its clasp: “To Sir Frederick Brundrett K.B.E. C.B, Chief R.N.S.S 1947-1950, From his colleagues, 30th June 1950”.
Sir Frederick served as Chief of the Royal Naval Scientific Service before becoming Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence.
He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1950 New Year Honours and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1956 New Year Honours.
“Since every top replica watches were numbered and listed separately,” comments Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams Global Head of Watches, “we know exactly how many were produced and that only 136 successfully passed through to attain the coveted ‘KEW A’ Certificate, tested and issued in the famed southwest London observatory.”
Those 136 Speedkings were a clever marketing move for buy fake Rolex watches, to prove that a batch-produced wristwatch (rather than a singular ship’s chronometer) could pass.
Slyly, a crack watchmaker was recruited to retrofit souped-up balances to the 136 eventually submitted to Kew, but nonetheless: “This 1:1 wholesale replica watches are particularly significant,” Darracott notes, “as it was ‘no.1’ watch; and it passed with flying colours first time.”
Lot 65’s estimate of £10,000-£15,000 seems low, taking this into consideration.
Third-up on royal parade (alongside a similar example in yellow gold) is Swiss made fake Rolex Day-Date watches, reference 18039, circa 1983.
This 18K white gold automatic calendar bracelet luxury copywatches bears the highly collectable ‘Khanjar’ dial, featuring the national emblem of Oman, the Khanjar dagger in a sheath superimposed upon two crossed swords.
An exceptional slice of military as well as watchmaking history, Lot 68 paypal replica Rolex watches were given to the original owner Lieutenant General Sir Michael Stuart Gray KCB, OBE, DL by the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said in 1986.
All three replica Rolex watches for sale, plus several other London Fine Watches sale highlights besides – including a ‘Leopard’ Daytona and a COMEX Sea-Dweller – will be on display at Bonhams on the 17th, during London Watch Week’s kick-off day.
“A new watch event that is set to reinforce London as a key player in the global watch arena,” Darracott enthuses, “in which we look forward to sharing our experience and knowledge with the wider watch community.”