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A Breitling Superocean Steelfish with an MI5 Security Service crest on the dial, one of a limited edition of 900 produced in 2009 to mark the centenary of the secret service, sold for £4,750, or around $5,800, at auction in London on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

Breitling MI5 ‘spy’ watch among recent sellers at Chiswick

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
A Breitling Superocean Steelfish with an MI5 Security Service crest on the dial, one of a limited edition of 900 produced in 2009 to mark the centenary of the secret service, sold for £4,750, or around $5,800, at auction in London on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
A Breitling Superocean Steelfish with an MI5 Security Service crest on the dial, one of a limited edition of 900 produced in 2009 to mark the centenary of the secret service, sold for £4,750, or around $5,800, at auction in London on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

LONDON – The Watches sale at Chiswick Auctions on March 22 included a number of special modern issues – including a diver’s watch made for an MI5 employee.

Direct from a family member who worked with the Security Service, the Breitling stainless steel automatic Superocean Steelfish has an MI5 Security Service crest on the dial at the nine o’clock position and appropriate engraving to the case back. These were made in 2009 in a limited edition of just 900 pieces to mark 100 years since the creation of the Secret Service in 1909. It was consigned with its box, papers, extra bracelet links and tags and sold for £4,750, or about $5,800.

This 2011 Chopard LUC tourbillon, number 64 of 150, realized £13,750, or roughly $17,000, on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
This 2011 Chopard LUC tourbillon, number 64 of 150, realized £13,750, or roughly $17,000, on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

One fortunate collector bid £13,750, or about $17,000, for a limited edition Chopard LUC tourbillon with a 60 hour power reserve. This was number 64 of only 150 made in 2011 with a titanium case and bezel. The openwork window displays the tourbillon, a complication in which the escapement and balance wheel are mounted in a rotating cage to eliminate errors of poise and increase accuracy.

A 1972 Breguet 18K gold watch with skeleton champagne hour ring and black numerals and hands brought £16,875, or about $20,800, on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
A 1972 Breguet 18K gold watch with skeleton champagne hour ring and black numerals and hands brought £16,875, or about $20,800, on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

An 18K gold watch by Breguet, thought to be a unique piece made by the prestigious Swiss brand 50 years ago, sold for £16,875, or about $20,800. This manual watch with skeleton champagne hour ring and black numerals and hands was sent to Breguet to confirm its authenticity; the firm said the watch had been sold on November 29, 1972 in London for the price equivalent of 3,850 French francs. It was sold complete with its original strap with a gold Breguet buckle.

A circa-1975 ladies’ Piaget watch with a malachite dial, a gold sautoir and its original box earned £16,875, or around $20,800, on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

A circa-1975 ladies’ Piaget watch with a malachite dial, a gold sautoir and its original box earned £16,875, or around $20,800, on March 22. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

Watches and jewelry with retro styling from the 60s and 70s continue to roar back into fashion. Also in demand was a lady’s Piaget watch with a malachite dial and gold sautoir. Made circa 1975, it sold in its original box for £16,875, or roughly $20,800.

Auctions such as the one held on March 22 always offer bidders the chance to pick up a nearly new branded watch at a price far below retail. A Cartier lady’s Panthere bracelet watch in 18K gold with a with a factory diamond-set case and bezel went for £8,750, or about $10,800, while a men’s Rolex Day Date and bracelet in 18K white gold earned £16,250, which amounts to about $20,000.