If unusual watches pop up at Fellows Auctions their Comms and PR Manager, Alexandra, drops me a line.
For their forthcoming watch sale there are so many beautiful items it is almost impossible to pick one; although I have my eye on a Breitling Montbrilliant, a watch that many years ago was “the one that got away”.
However, yesterday Alexandra sent me some images of three models from a brand I was not so familiar with – Meerson Watches of the UK and USA. For those of you, like me, who honestly didn’t know much about this brand here is some history.
Who are Meerson?
Meerson Watches is a design house founded by Alexandre Meerson with their watches created in their French studio and manufactured in Switzerland. They offer a core range of high end models along with bespoke specialised items made to order. Their watches have a distinctly modern look although you can see that Meerson channels the past for inspiration.
Alexandre Meerson’s father Emerich was a watch designer who found his niche post WW2 when watches began to adopt a different look. Gone was the art-deco lines of the 1930s, preplaced by a more vibrant and modern feel in the 50s and 60s. Emerich created designs for Tiffany, HStern and Mikimoto and eventually established his own watch brand.
Emerich Meerson Watches remained relatively small and it was not until Alexandre took over the business in 1987 did the watches we identify today as Meerson begin to appear. Over the last 20 years he has brought the company firmly to the internet generation and began designing thoroughly contemporary watches which represent pure horology.
He honed his craft by taking apart old Valjoux, Minerva and Jaeger-LeCoultre movements and that attention to detail is prevalent to see in the current Meerson collections.
In 2014 Alexandre launched the Altitude in London, a modern dress watch which was lauded by the fashion press. GQ called it ‘impeccable quality’. QP said it was ‘ultra elegant’ and WatchPro stated it was ‘achingly stylish’. Quite the accolades. Altitude was followed in 2015 with the titanium or gold D15 which finally took Meerson into the highly popular, and lucrative, luxury sports watch market.
2017 saw the advent of the Mutiny chronograph which goes right back to the 1920s for inspiration and soon we can expect to see the Solent – although it may be a while before Fellows get a pre-owned one.
So, what gems does Fellows have for sale in March 2023?
They have not one, but three D15s. In the forthcoming auction they will appear as lots 134, 135 and 136.
Lot 134 is a D15 MK-1 GMT watch with an estimate of £1,200 - £1,800. It has a 44mm Titanium case and is numbered 0020-DXV. It is powered by a signed automatic calibre AM-4808 (which is based on the Vaucher caliber VMF 3002 / H,M) with a quick date set. The dial is blue with alternating Arabic numeral and baton hour markers, subsidiary date dial to six, subsidiary day/night dial to nine and an outer date track. Fitted on a signed blue leather strap with an unsigned stainless steel pin buckle.
Lot 135 is another D15 GMT but this time it is presented in a black DLC case with an estimate of £1400 – £2000. Technical specifications mirror the titanium model above other than a white dial. Serial number is 0026-DXV.
Lot 136 is the final D15 and this is the most luxurious of the trio. The case is manufacturer in 18ct white gold case and numbered 0011-DXV. The pushers and crown are also in 18ct gold.
If you want to have a closer look at Meerson Watches head over to their website and if you want to analyse the three pre-owned models at Fellows follow the auction links within the feature where you will also find highly detailed condition reports of the models (once you log in).
Of course there are many other models in the sale from Rolex to Omega, Bremont to Glycine. These all have reports and estimates and if you look really hard you may also find a Breitling Montbrilliant but be warned, you may be bidding against yours truly.
Thanks as always to Alexandra and look out soon for a future collaboration piece we are writing together about the Do’s and Don’ts of buying at auction.
