Sotheby's Dubai hosts first watch auction - in pictures

Sotheby's Dubai is set to host its inaugural watch auction tomorrow, offering Middle East collectors a chance to bid for their favourite timepieces "Expect fresh-to-the market untouched vintage wristwatches and modern pieces in pristine quality," says Sam Hines, worldwide head of Sotheby's watch division The watch is a unique piece from 2002, and has never been offered at auction before.

Demand from watch collectors has been on the rise this year The Dubai auction is one of four more sales due to be held before the end of the year "In the last five years, the number of ­Middle Eastern bidders in our watch sales climbed by 40 per cent, with collectors from the region buying ­timepieces in excess of [Dh92m].

And almost half the Middle ­Eastern [bidders] were first-time buyers last year." Look up similar examples that have made it to auctions in the past, and compare what they sold for to the asking price of the next watch that you'd like to potentially add to your collection. . Source