Golden songbirds should be up to snuff at Sotheby's Important Watches auction in New York

Sotheby’s is holding an open house this weekend (May 19) ahead of its Important Watches auction in New York on May 24. The sale includes rare contemporary wristwatches as well as historically important horological pieces such as a striking pair of Singing Bird Snuff Boxes from the 19th century. Made in around 1820 by Swiss horologist Frères Rochat for the Chinese market, the consecutively numbered pair of four-color gold and pearl singing bird snuff boxes have a pre-sale estimate of $300-500,000 It is thought to be the only time a consecutively numbered pair has ever come to auction. Other important pieces at the auction include: A 2006 Richard Mille platinum tonneau form tourbillon split seconds chronograph wristwatch with power reserve and torque indication with a pre-sale estimate of $250-500,000 A 2001 white gold cushion-form perpetual calendar chronograph Patek Philippe wristwatch with moon-phases, registers and Breguet numerals, ref 5020g-013, with an estimate of $200-300,000. A 1997 pink gold cushion-form perpetual calendar . More