A Scandinavian Stage for Exceptional Timepieces: Inside Kaplans Auktioner and Important Watches

By Brent Robillard

In the heart of Stockholm, where heritage and horology intersect, Kaplans Auktioner has long been a fixture of Sweden’s jewelry landscape. While the family-run auction house has roots dating back to 1946, its role in the watch world has steadily expanded—culminating in its prestigious Important Watches sales held each May and November.

This year, we had the unique opportunity to visit the auction house as staff were in the throes of preparing for the fall installation of Important Watches. We also had the chance to view and handle the watches, which ranged in estimated value from $2000 USD to well over $100 000 USD for a particularly bejeweled AP Royal Oak “Frosted.”

Kaplans Auktioner Important Watches — ROLEX, Oyster Perpetual, Cosmograph, Daytona, Chronometer, Ref no. 116500LN, Serial no. 57R17207 @calibre321

Our guides in this venture were Marketing Director, Marlene Fuksa, and watch department evaluator Sanna Gränesjö. We also managed to interview Georgios Batselas, who stands at the helm of Kaplans’ growing watch division.

“Watches became part of the business already in the 1990s,” says Batselas, “but it wasn’t until around 1997 that the first dedicated watch auction was held. That marked an important milestone.” Just a few years later, Kaplans launched its first international watch auction, signaling its intent to reach far beyond Sweden’s borders.

That ambition has since become reality. “Our international auctions have played a crucial role in helping us reach far beyond the Nordic and Scandinavian markets,” Batselas explains. “Today, we regularly handle pieces with global appeal.”

Among the highlights during Batselas’ tenure? A Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 once owned by Per Edwin Fälting, the Swedish diver who raised the historic Vasa ship. “It was sold together with his original diving helmet. That kind of provenance is unforgettable,” Batselas recalls.

This year, the November auction is replete with Rolex: Datejusts, Day-Dates, Deapseas, Daytonas, GMT-Master IIs, Sea Dwellers, and Submariners—including a beautiful Ref. 5508 from 1958 (the last Sub produced without crown guards). But there are also stunning examples from Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, Breitling, Cartier, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin—as well as hidden gems from brands like Lemania, Minerva, and Titus.

The market, too, is evolving, observes Batselas. “A lot has changed, especially in the years following the pandemic,” he says. “Buyers have become increasingly comfortable bidding based on our digital catalogues, photography, and films.” To meet those expectations, Kaplans has leaned into transparency—producing detailed descriptions, videos, and high-quality images for nearly every lot. “We want buyers to feel confident, even without seeing the watch physically.”

While we were in Stockholm, the staff photographer was producing the images that would be used in the auction catalogue. However, the web catalogue had already been completed earlier in the week.

While global heavyweights like Rolex and Patek Philippe remain strong performers, the Stockholm scene brings its own unique flavour. “We have a strong local following for Sjöö Sandström,” Batselas notes. “Panerai, Breitling, and Omega also perform really well for us—sometimes even better than in other markets.”

Vintage, of course, watches remain a key focus. “There’s still huge demand, especially for pieces that feel fresh to the market and haven’t been passed around too much,” he explains. At the same time, contemporary interest is growing. “Cartier has had an incredible upswing lately—both semi-vintage and modern models. Younger collectors are discovering the world of watches with unprecedented access to information, which is exciting to see.”

Behind the scenes, preparing for an Important Watches auction is a meticulous process. “It starts around seven months in advance,” Batselas says. “We close consignments about a month before the auction, but curation begins long before that. Many pieces require in-depth research, particularly vintage models, where establishing originality and authenticity is crucial.”

That depth of expertise is a point of pride. “We deal with questions of authenticity every day. Outright fakes are easy to spot, but the real challenge lies in the ‘put-together’ watches—especially in vintage,” says Batselas. “Our team of six specialists won’t include anything we can’t stand behind 100%.”

On auction day, the energy is palpable. “Absolutely, I still get a rush,” Batselas admits. “Watching everything come together—the seller, the bidders, and that final winning moment—it’s always special. It never gets old.”

The Kaplans live auction room is an intimate space surrounded by glass display cabinets exhibiting the very watches up for bid.

As for the one that got away? “There’s a very special Omega Speedmaster owned by a long-time client. I’ve encouraged him more than once to consign it… but no luck—yet.”

With its commitment to quality, transparency, and storytelling, Kaplans continues to serve as a trusted bridge between Scandinavia and the global watch community—one carefully curated sale at a time.

But what about me? Did I see anything in this fall’s auction that caught me eye? Well, sadly, the Nautilus was a little out of my league; however, there was a little Omega chronograph from 1950… a certain Calibre 321. Perhaps, as a small token of my time in Stockholm? I guess we’ll see come November 15th.

To view the collection for yourself, or to place a bid, visit the Kaplans online catalogue.