This incredibly rare Richard Mille watch is to go under the hammer at Rowley’s auction house in Ely, Cambs, with an estimate of up to £500,000.
One of the rarest watches in the world is to be sold at an auction that is surrounded by great mystery.
An anonymous vendor has decided to part with his Richard Mille RM 030 Carbon Kronometry AN CA 1999 limited edition timepiece – one of only nine ever made.
The watch is to be offered by Rowley’s auction house in Ely, Cambridgeshire, at its sale on Saturday 13 November.
It has a pre-sale guide price of £300,000-£500,000 but experts believe it could achieve twice that.
Detail of the incredibly rare Richard Mille watch which is to go under the hammer at Rowley’s auction house in Ely, Cambs, with an estimate of up to £500,000.
Such is the secrecy surrounding the auction that the watch is being retained by the vendor who will meet the successful bidder at the Richard Mille shop in Bond Street, London.
There, the watch will be officially verified and only then will a coded message be sent to Rowley’s which will release the funds to the seller.
Because of the high value and the fact that thieves would give someone else’s right arm to take one, there will be no opportunity to view the watch before the auction.
This incredibly rare Richard Mille watch is to go under the hammer at Rowley’s auction house in Ely, Cambs with an estimate of up to £500,000.
These timepieces are the preserve of high-net-worth individuals and worn on the wrists of top footballers and Arab sheiks.
Roddy Lloyd from the saleroom said: “This does sound all cloak and dagger but there are good reasons.
“Richard Mille is a Swiss luxury watchmaker which specialises only in extremely high-end products.
“They are owned only by the very wealthy including the Canadian singer and songwriter Drake who paid $5.5m for one.
“The example being sold is one of only nine ever made and has an automatic movement that was four years in development.
Detail from the Richard Mille watch which is to go under the hammer at Rowley’s auction house in Ely, Cambs, with an estimate of up to £500,000.
“It has the distinctive Richard Mille shape plus a visible movement and light blue details.
“There is an automatic winding movement and a power reserve of more than 50 hours.
“The watch has an extraordinary level of accuracy, as well as durability and beauty – and is highly desirable.
“There are many people around the world who would love to own one and we are particularly excited as the seconds tick down to the sale.
“After the winning bid the seller will arrange to meet the buyer at the Richard Mille shop where staff will confirm it genuine.
“The protocols in place are to protect the vendor and ensure that the buyer is certain that the watch is genuine and in the right condition.
“We don’t know the identity of the vendor who will follow the auction online then contact us so we can put them in touch with the buyer.
“The sale will also include plenty of other antiques and collectables but it’s fair to say that, unusually, the most expensive item will be in absentia.”
Ends
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 07788392965
