Historic Watches of the 2026 Fall Featured Auction
October 5, 2026 | Eric Goldfisher
The beauty of collecting vintage watches is that every one tells a story. For most, they’re someone’s daily wear piece that was a trusted companion day-in and day-out. Other pieces were worn to celebrate the special moments. Weddings, launch events, important business meetings, maybe even welcoming a new member of the family. Occasionally, we’ll get the opportunity to handle a watch where the story becomes more important than the manufacturer, case material, and movement.
Our 2026 Fall Featured Auction includes three of these “elevated” timepieces, all offering a tangible connection to American history. Keep reading to learn more about the historic offerings available in this auction, and perhaps place a bid if one catches your eye now through the live close on October 22, 2026, starting at 11 AM ET.
Lot 99: Edward R. Murrow's Bulova Spillmann "Jumbo" Chronograph
Est. $16,000 - $30,000
This Bulova Spillmann "Jumbo" chronograph belonged to Edward R. Murrow, one of the defining voices of 20th-century American journalism. Even without its famous owner, it makes for a truly impressive vintage chronograph: a large-for-the-era 38mm Spillmann screw-back case in 14K yellow gold, round pump pushers, an original champagne two-register dial, manual-wind 17-jewel cal. 71 movement, and its original 14K yellow gold mesh bracelet.
But this piece is so much more than just another impressive vintage chronograph.
Murrow was one of America's best-known broadcasters through his reporting from Europe during World War II when television opened an entirely new chapter of his career. At CBS, See It Now gave him a platform for long-form television journalism, including the famous March 9, 1954 broadcast shining a light on Senator Joseph McCarthy and his practices. Murrow also interviewed some of the most important figures at the time on his program Person to Person, including Marilyn Monroe.
The history attached to this Bulova directly overlaps with Murrow’s CBS years. The best part? This isn’t just hearsay or a serial number match, the watch includes a letter from his son, Casey Murrow, documenting the watch's personal connection to his father. Direct family provenance is one of the most important pieces for collectors of historic timepieces.
Murrow eventually ended up in public service when President John F. Kennedy appointed him Director of the United States Information Agency in 1961. He played an important role in shaping how American policies were communicated abroad during the Kennedy administration. This watch was a trusted companion for Murrow during this role, too, serving as a bridge between his journalism and public service work. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a collector to acquire a (gorgeous) watch from a legendary public figure who made a lasting impact on the United States. To every wristwatch, Americana, Bulova, WWII, and journalism collector who places a bid on this stunning piece, all we can say is, “Good night, and good luck.” View Lot 99
Lot 100: Mayor Robert F. Wagner's Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 2507 Est. $9,000 - $16,000
This Calatrava is another watch with an extraordinary connection to American public life, belonging to NYC Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr.
At first glance, it's a classic 33mm Calatrava, ref 2507. The timeless 18K yellow gold case here features a perfectly balanced champagne dial with a nicely textured center. Inside beats an 18J Patek Philippe cal. 10-200 bearing the Geneva Seal.
What sets this apart is what’s engraved on the caseback, "To Bob from Sam Briskman, Dec. 24th, 1953." This presentation aligns with Wagner having just been elected Mayor of New York City. He would take office on January 1, 1954, the start of three consecutive terms that continued through the end of 1965.
Wagner's years in office took place during an incredibly important period for NYC and the entire country. His administration oversaw major changes in housing, development, labor relations, and city government, and he supported measures barring racial discrimination in the rental and sale of housing. He also developed a close political relationship with John F. Kennedy. During Wagner's 1961 reelection campaign, President Kennedy publicly noted that Wagner had been "of great help" during Kennedy's own presidential campaign and described the two as having worked closely together on federal-city issues.
After leaving City Hall, Wagner's public career continued overseas. He was appointed United States Ambassador to Spain in 1968, presenting his credentials that July and serving until March 1969.
Pateks are highly collectible on their own, and the connection to Wagner makes this one extra special. Just like Murrow’s Bulova, this one includes incredible provenance to truly set it apart.
On top of the watch, the new owner will receive an extensive assortment of Wagner's personal effects, photographs, and archival material, including a cigarette case, a Tiffany & Co. Clipit paper cutter, personal photographs from the White House, and a letter addressed to Wagner by President Lyndon B. Johnson while Wagner was serving as Ambassador to Spain. There is even a personal birthday song written for Wagner by Joe Raposo, the celebrated composer and songwriter closely associated with Sesame Street.
This archive also features the "smoking gun" for historic watch collectors: period photographic evidence showing Wagner wearing this very Patek Philippe while serving as Mayor of New York City. Collectors couldn't ask for anything else. We always recommend being fiscally responsible with your watch collecting, but if you’re looking to add a crown jewel into your Patek collection, Mayor Wagner might suggest that you bid to win and, “borrow now, repay later.”
Est. $1,400 - $2,600 Let’s face it, there are few things cooler than strapping on a historic figure’s watch on your wrist… let alone owning it for yourself. Jones & Horan makes sure we offer material for collectors across every budget, which is why this Cyma Watersport bumper automatic offers another, slightly more affortadble route into historic watch collecting. The 14K yellow gold case on this Cyma has a caseback engraved with: "Honor Award to General Lewis B Hershey, 'Fall Guy' 4-25-52, Circus Saints and Sinners Club."
Lewis B. Hershey led the Selective Service System from 1941 until 1970, spanning World War II, Korea, and much of the Vietnam era. After leaving that position, he served in the Nixon administration as Advisor to the President on Manpower Mobilization.
The Circus Saints & Sinners Club was a charitable social organization known for its playful "Fall Guy" roasts of prominent public figures. The group's tradition included commemorative gifts for honorees; President Gerald Ford later recalled having been one of the organization's "Fall Guys" himself.
For collectors who love presentation watches, military history, or simply pieces with an unusual story engraved right into the case, the Hershey Cyma offers an appealing entry into this category. Plus, the watch is downright slick with a sleek case profile and highly legible dial.
These three watches put a spotlight on what makes vintage collecting so fascinating. We can all appreciate vintage watches for their design, craftsmanship, and mechanical innovation, but provenance like this turns them into wearable artifacts.
Don’t let these pieces pass you by, our Fall Featured Auction opens for bids October 1 and runs through October 22, 2026, with the live close beginning at 11 AM ET. We'll also be exhibiting at Windup Watch Fair NYC from October 16–18, where we'll have a great assortment of watches to purchase on-site plus selected pieces from the Fall Featured Auction available to preview in person. We'll also be exhibiting at Windup Watch Fair NYC from October 16–18, where we'll have a great assortment of watches to purchase on-site plus selected pieces from the Fall Featured Auction available to preview in person.
Thinking about consigning? We are always accepting quality material for future auctions. Contact our team to see how you can get your material placed in our upcoming Holiday Spectacular this December.
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