Pharrell Williams’ digital auction platform Joopiter launched a dedicated watches department this week with Keeping Measure: Watches & Timepieces, a sale that closes on a rolling basis through August 11. The platform has offered watches in previous sales, but this is the first under a standalone department with its own head of category.
The top lot is an Omega Speedmaster (pictured at top) linked to Alan Bean, the fourth person to walk on the moon. Only 30 examples of this reference were produced following the first moon landing, distributed to then-President Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew, and astronauts from notable space programs. This is number 26, specifically engraved to honor Bean’s subsequent role as commander of the 1973 Skylab mission. It’s estimated to achieve between $250,000 and $350,000, with a current starting bid of $230,000.
Two other highlights include a circa-1960 Ulysse Nardin fitted with an 18k gold woven bracelet by Gay Frères (the independent Swiss atelier that supplied bracelet work to Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and others before ceasing independent production), estimated between $15,000 and $25,000, and an HYT Moon Runner Red Magma from 2022 (the first HYT to pair the brand’s signature liquid-time fluidic hour display with a moon phase complication), with an estimate between $50,000 and $70,000.
“I’m very excited to kick off the season with a sale that has a great variety of pieces from recognized makers to more obscure independent brands, curated to introduce Joopiter’s clients to the wider world of horology,” said Joopiter’s head of watches, Nate Borgelt, in a statement.
“This sale aims to appeal to both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the world of watch collecting. The beauty of curating watches sales at Joopiter is creating a sale that not only speaks to established connoisseurs but also shows the breadth of watch collecting and tastes to new collectors.”
(Photos courtesy of Joopiter)
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