Charles Tearle

Clocks & Watches

Updated: 7.17.09

A native of London, Charles Tearle began his romance with watches at the tender age of 5, when he strapped the first one on his wrist. He couldn't wait to experience more, and while still a teenager strode into Somlo Antiques in Piccadilly in 1990 and talked himself into a job selling fine vintage and antique timepieces on the retail floor. Here he fell in love and a lifelong career was born. Somlo proved a fortuitous choice because not only did Charles handle rare and valuable pieces, he also had the opportunity to learn the historic and technical merits of watches from master horologists doing the in-house repair and restoration work for the store.

After 11 years of working for Somlo and achieving the general manager position, Charles traversed the globe from Morocco to Canada to examine timepieces. He returned in 2004 to become head of the clock and watch department for Bonhams, Knightsbridge, in London, and a year later moved to the United States to establish a watch department for Bonhams & Butterfields auction house in Los Angeles. While at Bonhams, Charles exceeded virtually every sale budget, revised the presentation of the watch department's catalogues, and helped Bonhams' horological department in London to achieve its most successful year in 2005, setting new records for sale totals at Knightsbridge and Bond Street locations.

Charles joined Antiquorum in 2008 as a director and watch expert to establish the West Coast location in Beverly Hills, California. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the team with his valuable experiences from both the retail and auction points of view. As fascinated today as he was when he started, Charles is driven to pursue the best pieces the world over. He has an international roster of clients who trust his market instincts and respond to his infectious passion. He specializes in wristwatches from the 1920s to the 1970s, with a particular interest in Patek Philippe, Rolex sport watches, and Cartier.