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Sotheby’s Auction: Unique Watches Inspired by UFOs, Innovation

Watches and Jewellery

Business Honor
31 March, 2025

Sotheby’s upcoming Area 51-themed watch auction features rare, innovative timepieces from top brands.

Sotheby's is gearing up for a record watch auction, scheduled to be held on April 3rd, which has been titled after the famous US Air Force base in Nevada, Area 51. The title is reminiscent of alien conspiracy theories, suggesting the unusual and otherworldly collection of watches that will be auctioned off. The auction holds out the prospect of a succession of unusual and innovative watches, 10 of the 51 pieces having been previewed to date, and more to come over the next few days.

Among the showpieces is the Rolex Starship Gold, a very unusual model from the 1980s inspired by UFOs with an extended, oval face. It is a radical departure from Rolex's classic design, and such makes it very coveted among collectors. Another pick is the Ressence Type 3AM, a 2017 timepiece that transformed watchmaking with a first-ever model being filled with oil. This adds to legibility such that the wearer can read the watch from any angle without distortion. The auction will also feature avant-garde designs from high-end watchmakers like Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, adding more to the event's appeal for watch enthusiasts.

Although Sotheby's is yet to release official price indications, the addition of such rare and unique watches indicates that the auction will prove highly popular. The bidding itself is likely to be fierce, with enthusiasts across the globe fighting to claim a piece of horological history. As the auction day gets near, collectors are already looking forward to what may be one of the most unforgettable watch auctions in years, with lots that are truly exceptional.