Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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Late? Not on Nate Borgelt's watch. At a young age, the Sotheby's watches and clocks expert discovered an immense interest in timekeeping. "I had a fascination with watches in particular, due to their size and complex- ity," recalls the Deerfield Academy and Connecticut College graduate. "This, connected with my interest in the historical aspect of measuring time, really led to a complete captivation with everything horology." Fast forward: As a Sotheby's specialist in Watches & Clocks, Borgelt is the go-to guy for East Coast watch lovers. He has sold the very first split- seconds chronograph wristwatch, made by Patek Philippe, for a cool $2.96 million, as well as time- pieces once owned by Charlie Chaplin and Joe DiMaggio. He also fetched $52,000 for an Omega Constellation that was appraised at only $1,000— then again, its owner was Elvis Presley. Based out of Sotheby's New York, Borgelt is travelling regularly to Boston this spring for appraisal meetings; he'll also make sure to visit his parents on the South Shore—the stomping ground where it all began. sothebys.com . photography courtesy of sotheby's The world's most valuable watches come in all shapes and sizes, and Nate Borgelt ( center) sells them all, from ( clockwise from left) a bejeweled, tortoise-shaped Cartier desk clock ($875K) to a 1822 split- seconds Breguet pocket watch ($346K) and a limited-edition Audemars Piguet wrist- watch (from 2006, $187K). The Watchman Nate Borgelt of Sotheby'S keepS new england ticking with haute horlogerie. by olivia pierce 74 bostoncommon-magazine.com style people