Antiquorum Opens Los Angeles Office & Welcomes Charles Tearle to their Expanding Team

October 02, 2008

Antiquorum Auctioneers, the world’s leading watch auctioneer, announced the opening of a new Los Angeles office located in the fashionable area of Beverly Hills. As their clientele have expanded considerably in Los Angeles and the West coast the past several years, they aim to increase their US presence (in addition to their US headquarters located on Madison Avenue in New York City) by adding a local office in Beverly Hills where clients have the opportunity to inquire about auction estimates for their timepieces, consign to upcoming auctions, and ask for horological advice from their experts.

The Los Angeles office is run by Charles Tearle who recently joined Antiquorum as Director and Watch expert. He has been in the watch world for quite some time. Charles started his career in horology at the age of 16 at Somlo Antiques, a prestigious London based vintage watch store. In 2004, Mr. Tearle became a watch specialist at Bonhams London and subsequently, in 2006, was asked to open a watch department for Bonhams in the US which he managed to grow into an important participant in the vintage watch arena. More recently, Antiquorum welcomed Mr. Tearle to their team in order to benefit from his wealth of knowledge. He specializes in wristwatches from the 1920’s to the 1970’s, with a particular interest in Patek Philippe, Rolex sport watches and Cartier.

Source: Antiquorum Auctioneers

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: Gents, I do not usually respond to threads regarding watches due to
: be auctioned but after reading your comments felt it was
: warranted.

: To clarify the dated engraving on the reverse, Bill Maher gave the
: watch to his young nephew in 1974, his parents, feeling he was
: too young to wear it kept it safe until finally permitting him
: 'bragging rights' after having his name and date of birth
: engraved on the reverse to make sure no school kids deprived him
: of it. Regarding the hands, yes, they are service hands as he
: cared for the watch and sent it back to Tag Heuer in NY on
: several occasions for servicing. It has though, for many years,
: remained unused in a drawer.

: I am sure also anyone who has researched into the life of Steve
: McQueen knew he would keep as many items as possible from movies
: he was in, cars, clothes, even a kettle, nothing was too small
: if he could get away with it (he even took cash then billed the
: production company for 'extra expenses' when then they asked for
: it back.) Bearing in mind Solar Productions Inc., a company he
: owned, produced LeMans it is highly unlikely, if not plain
: crazy, to imagine he would give back to the prop master (who was
: on his payroll) the watch he had been wearing. There are also no
: images of him wearing the watch once filming finished.

: I cannot vouch for the authenticity of previous examples handled or
: sold but can assure you this is the genuine article. I did not
: speak to them myself but apparently according to Tag, four Heuer
: Monacos were provided, three with blue dials, one grey, many
: other models were also provided and several can be seen on the
: wrists of various other drivers in the movie.

: Anyone who still has their doubts Bill Maher and Neile McQueen
: Toffel will be attending the Los Angeles preview of the sale,
: weather is beautiful here, jump on a plane and ask Bill about
: the time Steve gave it to him yourself.

: Great site, hope the above answers a few questions. You are welcome
: to email me if you have (serious) queries.

: Charles