As most watch aficionados know, James Ward Packard didn’t just build luxury cars. Having studied engineering in college, he was fascinated with all things mechanical, with an emphasis on cars and watches. He famously got in a friendly competition with Henry Graves Jr., pushing marquis companies Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin to create magnificent complicated pocket watches. Though Graves ultimately held the crown of winner with a watch from Patek Philippe, Packard also had one from the same company with a formidable and impressive 16 complications built in.

The watches up for auction at Christie’s on June 15th in New York come from the descendants of Packard and are in exquisite condition, seeming to have been tucked away carefully for over 60 years. The first two watches are from the American Watch Company and belonged to Warren Packard, James’s father.

The first example was a gift to father from sons, James and William. A boy’s picture inside the case can be assumed to be of either of James or William. Also there is an inscription on the cuvette saying “From the Boys”.  As a bonus there are wiring tables from the Packard Electric Co., James’s company. Estimate without reserve: $2-3K

View the lot here.

The second watch belonging to the estate of Packard is an 18K gold Hunter Case Key Wound Lever Pocket Watch sold under the name Appleton, Tracy and Co., No. 28746 circa 1858. As a side note, watches sold under the name of Appleton, Tracy & Co were produced from June of 1857 until January of 1859 when the firm was renamed the American Watch company, one of the many changes of corporate identify over the life of Waltham production. .

Offered without reserve: 2-3K

View the lot here.

These are rare treats and for a (more) reasonable sum you can catch a piece of horologic history from one of the great collectors of his time.

The big daddies of these examples are the Patek Philippe minute repeater with up and down indicator and the Vacheron Constantin clockwatch chronograph with trip repeat. They can be considered the summit of collecting and the fact that they are up on the auction block is a special occasion indeed.

One of 17 watches commissioned by Packard to his specifications by Patek Philippe, this minute repeater made in 1920 incorporates a power reserve indicator—a very rare combination—in a Murat-style case thought to be the only one of its kind. The watch is cased in 18K gold open face and comes with its original box and certificate. Estimate: $200-400K.

View the lot here.

This unique Vacheron Constantin was also made to Packard’s specs in 1918 comes with trip repeat, Grande and Petite Sonnnerie, Chronograph and Half-Quarter repeating. No other with these complications is known to exist. Usually such complicated watches would come with a moon phase and perpetual calendar. The existence of this watch proves that while Packard was a devotee to the firm Patek Philippe, he also respected the prowess of Vacheron Constantin and put them in the same category. In a 20K, gold case, this two-train Trip 7 ½ Minute Repeating Grande and Petite Sonnerie Chronograph Clockwatch delightfully comes with a custom-fitted wood box and handwritten operating instructions. Estimate: $250-500K.

View the lot here.