An exceptional auction by Artcurial this October will spotlight rare timepieces linked to Monaco’s Prince Rainier III and other artefacts tied to some of history’s most influential figures, from Napoleon Bonaparte to Charles de Gaulle.
On 15th October, Artcurial will host a landmark sale in Paris titled Collections Historiques – Souvenirs des Grands Hommes, a tribute to the visionary men who shaped history. Among the most anticipated highlights are three extraordinary watches from the private collection of Pierre Rey, Prince Rainier III’s trusted advisor and one of the key architects of Monaco’s modern transformation.
These horological masterpieces, revealed to the public for the first time, speak volumes about the principality’s golden age under Rainier III. Of particular note is a one-of-a-kind Cartier ‘Pièce de Monnaie’ watch, uniquely crafted for Rey, in which a timepiece is concealed within a gold coin engraved with the Prince’s effigy. Estimated between €200,000 and €400,000, this rare object symbolises the trust and close bond between the sovereign and his most discreet aide.
A tribute to Monaco’s post-war metamorphosis
The Cartier is accompanied by two significant Patek Philippe watches: the ‘Pink on Pink’ Heures Universelles Ref. 1415, valued up to €200,000, and a Calendrier Perpétuel Ref. 1526 with rare ‘Big Arabic’ numerals, expected to fetch between €400,000 and €800,000. Each piece reflects Pierre Rey’s refined taste and his instrumental role in shaping Monaco’s economic and cultural landscape during the 1950s.
Rey, who served as Rainier III’s private advisor, administrator of the Prince’s assets, and president of the Société des Bains de Mer, was a key player in Monaco’s reinvention from a sleepy Mediterranean enclave into a sophisticated global destination. The watches act as both aesthetic marvels and historical artefacts, echoing an era defined by transformation, discretion, and vision.
The memory of great men through extraordinary artefacts
These Monaco-linked treasures will conclude a three-part auction celebrating the lives and legacies of great historical figures. The opening chapter revisits Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian campaign through a rare 1830-bound edition of Description de l’Égypte and over 20 original scientific drawings by Jean-Joseph Marcel, an orientalist and pivotal member of the expedition.
Following this is a deeply personal collection of over 70 handwritten letters between Charles de Gaulle and Paul Reynaud, chronicling the turbulent years between 1934 and 1966. These correspondences reveal the political foresight and military concerns of both men during the rise of fascism in Europe and the birth of the Fifth Republic.
Prince Rainier’s enduring legacy takes centre stage
Yet for Monaco’s residents and admirers alike, it is the final chapter that resonates most. The watches are not just mechanical feats; they are artefacts of loyalty, leadership and legacy. According to Artcurial, they serve as “silent witnesses to an era of renewal”, defined by Rainier III’s relentless drive to elevate the Principality’s stature on the global stage.
The inclusion of a bespoke piece bearing Rainier’s image – created by Cartier specifically for Pierre Rey – is both a testament to the Prince’s discerning eye and a symbol of the faith he placed in his closest collaborators. This sale offers collectors and history enthusiasts a rare opportunity to connect with the personal stories behind Monaco’s dramatic post-war evolution.
The full auction catalogue will be on public display at Artcurial in Paris from 11th to 14th October. The sale of the Monaco timepieces will take place at 6pm on 15th October, following the earlier auction of Napoleonic and Gaullist documents.
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Main image by Artcurial