The auction world is poised for a historic event as Sotheby’s presents the legendary collection of the late Robert M. Olmsted. Under the banner Exceptional Discoveries: The Olmsted Complications Collection, this is the curated life’s work of a true connoisseur, a man whose impeccable taste and scholarly pursuit defined him as a titan in the realm of vintage watch collecting. His collection, by extension, carries a gravitas that represents a deep, intellectual passion for mechanical artistry and historical significance that is rarely experienced in the modern market.
A curated selection of coveted timepieces
Spanning the golden age of watchmaking from the early 19th to the early 20th century, and showcasing masterworks from the great European centers of horology, this remarkable collection of over 80 long-unseen timepieces offers collectors and connoisseurs a rare opportunity to acquire watches of exceptional historical and technical importance — many of which are appearing on the market for the very first time. Among the most sensational highlights of the collection are two never-before-seen Patek Philippe pocket watches, each crafted with double movements and dual sets of hour and minute hands and seconds hands – a design so rare that no other examples are known to exist. One incorporates a minute repeater, while the other combines a minute repeater with a split-seconds chronograph. Also of note is a large group of English watches by Charles Frodsham including several tourbillions, capped by an exceptional 73mm pocket watch – one of only two examples ever produced – and their most complicated watch among its grand complications.
A legacy of passion comes to market
This auction is a farewell and final chapter in the story of one man’s profound horological journey. Robert M. Olmsted’s legacy resonates with each timepiece, offering a new generation of collectors a chance to acquire a piece of documented collecting history. The presentation of this collection at Sotheby’s is set to be a celebration of a collector’s spirit and a testament to the enduring appeal of mechanical watches that are as rich in story as they are in craftsmanship.
