Cartier watch One would assume an economic downturn like today’s would drive down sales of luxury watches. But surprisingly, one would be wrong. Leading brand watches from Cartier, Omega and others have actually sold more recently, according to local retailers.

   Cartier watch Sales of high-end watches by the nation’s leading retailer, Lotte, jumped 28 percent in the first quarter from the same period last year. Sales of all watches overall also jumped 32 percent.

    Lotte isn’t alone. Sales from January to March of luxury watches at Cartier watch Galleria Department Store in Apgujeong-dong, southern Seoul, also jumped 35 percent on-year. Hyundai Department Store saw sales of watches priced at over 100 million won ($80,500) in the first four months up 38 percent on-year. The luxury brands include Swiss watchmakers Breguet, Rolex and Vacheron Constantin. The most expensive watch in Korea is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT Master II, priced at around 600 million won.

The history of clocks or timekeeping is very long, dating back several thousands of years.

The same lot includes a gold chain with 12 letter-links spelling "Frank Sinatra".

Both watches are in excellent condition and full working order.

Cartier watch Also in the sale is a pair of Sinatra's cufflinks given to him by Hubert Humphrey, the Democratic vice president, for whom he had campaigned.

Cartier watch Later Sinatra - known as Ol' Blue Eyes - would change sides and support the Republican party, backing Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Julien Schaerer from Antiquorum Auctions that is selling the items in New York, said: "The watch Sinatra gave Al Silvani is gangster cool.

"The two were great friends and Al Silvani appeared in several films including Ocean's Eleven, From Here to Eternity and Assault on a Queen.

"As one of the most sought-after boxing trainers in the business, Silvani trained over 20 world champions, including Jake LaMotta and Rocky Graziano."

The sale is to be held on June 11.