Meet The Specialist

What is your current position at Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers?

I am a wristwatch specialist at Bruun Rasmussen’s location in Copenhagen’s Nordhavn. My focus is both on the live auctions, selling the rarest and most expensive watches in our saleroom in the centre of Copenhagen, and our online auctions at bruun-rasmussen.dk, where the more affordable watches are put up for sale. Every day, I have contact with collectors from all over the world who are either looking to sell a watch or are seeking advice in connection with a purchase.

Where are you from? And what inspired you to go into the auction world?

I was born in the small town of Assens on the island of Funen and grew up in a home where there was art all over the wall, especially fine art such as Danish Golden Age paintings.

I was just a teenager when I first became interested in watches. I was given my great-grandfather’s old pocket watch as a confirmation gift, and when I was 15, my father gave me the task of doing some research for him. He had a battery-powered Omega Seamaster but wanted something more fashionable. During my search, I didn’t just find a new watch for my father but also inherited his old one.

It was as if a whole new world opened up to me; from that day on, watches with the perfect combination of engineering, design and history became my great passion in life. I started spending my money on books about watches, and I have an extensive library today. My favourite book is an old one from 1804 entitled Regler for tidens nøjagtige afmåling ved ure (General principles concerning timekeeping by clocks and watches) by Danish chronometer maker Urban Jürgensen. So, I have a slightly nerdier approach to watches than many watch enthusiasts of my age.

What was your first job?

I took a course in Business, language and culture at CBS (Copenhagen Business School), and while studying, I established a watch company in Copenhagen in collaboration with a watchmaker. I bought the watches, he inspected and repaired them, and then they were resold online. We offered a wide selection, from old, mid-18th century pocket watches to wristwatches from some of today’s biggest brands. In 2021, I was employed as a watch specialist at Bruun Rasmussen.

 Name one of your triumphs.

My greatest triumph involves a special find. While clearing out my grandfather’s old archive with my family a few years ago, I found an old pocket watch from the 1790s with the name Frederik Plum engraved on it – my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, who was a bishop on the island of Funen. Finding a 230-year-old watch with my own name on it was a mindblowing experience. I wear it from time to time, but I keep it hidden away in my pocket.

What is your strength as a specialist?

I wouldn’t call myself a watch collector – I’m far more interested in the engineering and history. My knowledge is definitely my greatest strength. I’m also good at talking to people. I always find meetings with our customers interesting, whether they concern a watch worth a million Danish kroner or simply the customer’s desire to purchase their first watch for a few thousand. The most important thing for me is ensuring that everyone receives a professional and fair treatment in their dealings with me and the auction house.

What's exciting about your next sale?

The most interesting thing about our upcoming Live Auction in Copenhagen on 28 September is the wide selection of watches coming up for sale: there’s something for almost every collector.

A few years ago, a Rolex was the only watch people wanted. Today, the demand ranges a far wider field, so the selection is sure to go down well with our customers. The highlight is an iconic Rolex Daytona awarded to Danish racing driver Michael Christensen as a prize for winning the 24 Hours of Daytona race in 2017. It is valued at DKK 250,000–300,000 but could easily fetch an even higher hammer price due to the massive interest we have already seen.

Another of my personal favourites at the auction is IWC’s classic Model Ingenieur with mechanical movement and bracelet from Swiss Gay Frères. Made to withstand high voltage magnetic fields, the watch was designed for the heroes of the information age – the engineers of the mid-1950s. The watch is in exceptionally good condition, and even the small round hour markers are intact. It’s high on my own wish list.

- Interview by Camilla Streton

Bruun Rasmussen is part of The Bonhams Network. Learn more about upcoming auctions and contact a specialist at Bruun-rasmussen.dk

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