PREVIEW: WATCHES 12 SEPTEMBER

The Flying B Chrono, a limited edition oversized rectangular pink gold and diamond-set automatic wristwatch, is one of the most desirable models from the 20-year association between Breitling and Bentley.

Only 50 were produced and number 5 appears in this auction with an estimate of £18,000-26,000.

Breitling’s connection with motoring – and even racing – dates back to its earliest days when founder Leon Breitling patented a chronograph to measure the speed of racing cars in 1905.

Bentley was a favoured marque of Leon’s grandson Willy, and the technical excellence and design features of the motoring brand were sometimes included in the design of the Swiss maker’s watches.

It was in 2002 that the two companies established an official partnership, Breitling for Bentley, with its first issue, the Bentley Le Mans Limited Edition Chronograph, coming the following year, when Breitling also started sponsoring the Bentley racing team.

Over the following two decades, the partnership gave rise to a number of watches, as well as the extraordinary Breitling clock with Tourbillon, produced for the Bentayga SUV and the most expensive item ever fitted in a Bentley that was not produced by the company itself.

In all, the partnership created a total of ten major designs, extending the range with additional specifications.

Among those designs is the Flying B Chrono from around 2010, an example of which is offered here. As can be seen from the inscribed back of the case, the Bentley winged “B” emblem features strongly, while the guilloche knurled inner dial and subdials echo the Bentley automotive radiator grill.

The 18ct gold case is set with brilliant-cut diamonds to the bezel, lugs and sides and has an 18ct pink gold and diamond-set bracelet.

The case, dial, movement and bracelet are all signed, and the watch comes complete with certificate, attestation de chronometre, instruction booklet, spare links and presentation case.

“A wonderful expression of the joint creativity of two of the world’s leading luxury brands, the very limited issue of this exceptional timepiece makes it a rare treasure to find at auction,” said Noonans’ Watches specialist Joanne Lewis.