It's easy to forget that eBay hasn't always been the only game around to find vast collections of random objects. Jackson's, the Iowa-based auctioneer which was founded in 1969, operates under the inclusive motto: "The world is our market." On November 6 and 7 they're selling off lots of everything from German World War II firearms, to William Faulkner first editions, to Confederate currency.

German firearms from World War II

You can set off your collection of masterpieces with a painting of a bouquet of flowers by Gaston Marcel Lecreux, a French artist you've likely never heard of. Or you can bid on one of the 175,000 post cards. If you'd like to get a glimpse of these lots in person, feel free to stop by Jacksons--they're only a mile away from Waterloo Municipal Airport.  How many auctioneers can claim that?

--David Coggins

Men's Vogue has been auctioning Timex's TX World Time Limited Edition watch on eBay with all proceeds going to Ninemillion.org, a charity that helps kids around the world. We've got five numbered timepieces to sell (only 100 were made), and we're on number four right now, counting our way down. Read more about the watch, then place your bid!

If a straightforward, dependable Casio is the timepiece equivalent of a Ford Taurus, then a Patek Philippe is the Bentley of watches--they're both made by hand, and often cost well into the six figures. And if you're the kind of guy who likes to drop over a hundred thousand on finely-made machinery, Christie's Important Pocket Watches and Wristwaches auction is the auction for you. Some of the highlights:

This rare Vacheron Constantin, in 18k pink gold, will cost an estimated $250,000-$500,000. You might want to keep it in the safe instead of wearing it.

The Officine Panerei, was designed for the Italian Navy and built with some parts supplied by Rolex. From around 1944, it was conceived to be the most resilient watch of its time. (Estimate: $70,000-$100,000)

Audemars Piguet's 18k gold and platinum watch from 1924 is a prime example of refined Art Décor discretion. (Estimate: $80,000-$120,000)

For the Rolex men out there, and you know who you are, the Rolex Triple Calendar Chronograph will keep you up to date. (Estimate: $70,000-$100,000)

--David Coggins

The introduction of the TX line this year helped Timex graduate from the purely functional to formalwear terrain. Adopting the tagline "TechnoLuxury," TX combined attentive Italian design with German engineering, somehow sidestepping that dreaded dollar-to-euro exchange rate and offering well-constructed watches at reasonable prices.

In keeping with this borderless movement, their latest bit of accessory alchemy is the TX World Time Limited Edition, developed exclusively for Men's Vogue and available at Nordstrom. With rose gold buttons, an embossed face under sapphire crystal, and an alligator leather band, one might be tempted to overlook the interior, but things are equally impressive inside that stainless steel case. The four-motor analog component is aided by computing power that keeps the time and season for each of the exotic locales that encircle the face, adjusting even for daylight savings. Limited to 100 individually numbered pieces, this trip around the world in 24 clicks was conceived for the business traveler who logs as much time in airports as most men do on couches.

Men's Vogue is auctioning the first five numbered TX watches on eBay. All proceeds from winning bids will benefit Ninemillion.org, a charity that provides education for children affected by violence and conflict.

In their September 26 New York sale,  Antiquorum, the watch auctioneer, operates on the premise that if one desirable watch is good, 23 desirable watches are even better. In this case, they're offering a set of Omega Speedmaster watches, each bearing the mission emblem of a manned NASA space voyage. You can select between, say, the "Kitty Hawk and Antares" and the Gemini V. They sit in a large fitted case, and while the centerpiece is a replica of the first watch worn on the face of the moon, if you can part with an estimated $100,000, you'll have the privilege of enjoying these timepieces here on earth.

—David Coggins

Today at 6 P.M. at the Monaco Yacht Show the watch auctioneer Antiquorum will sell 35 limited edition watches from leading makers and give the money to charity. It's a pretty good deal all around, and one blessed with the patronage of Prince Albert II. Antiquorum claims responsibility for selling an impressive 45 of the 66 watches that have ever broken the 1,000,000 Swiss Franc barrier. That should prepare you to have your auction paddle—and your wallet—ready.

Highlights include:
Breguet, Winston Churchill's venerable French watchmaker. They offer a yellow gold Chronograph Classique a Rattrapante, one of seven produced. Schaffhausen's IWC's stainless steel chronograph Fliegeruhr 5026, Perpetual Calendar keeps time, date, and phases of the moon. Feel confident knowing it's the only one ever made. Patek Phillipe's Nautilus Titanium is water-resistant to 60 meters, and made of industrial-strength titanium, suitable for a leader of industry. If you accept the fact that you don't need a chronograph in your everyday life, or when you're wearing a tuxedo, consider the elegant, relatively unadorned Omega, De Ville Hour Vision, Only Watch. Louis Vuitton thinks enough of their Tambour18 Mandarine that when it's not on a lady's wrist it can rest in its own 'mini-trunk.'

—David Coggins

For many collectors, provenance is the vital factor in their attraction to a given auction lot. A pair of Nikes worn by Michael Jordan while torching the Knicks in the playoffs is part of NBA history; a pair of Air Jordans worn by some guy while playing h-o-r-s-e in the high school gym are just sweaty sneakers.

For the intrepid collector who prefers history shrouded in ambiguity, however, consider the auction of abandoned safe deposit boxes at Doyle New York on June 27 (viewing from June 23-26). Calling upon their relationship with various banks, Doyle has acquired unclaimed or undesired goods that have come to light when banks have merged with another or liquidated their own inventory. Despite the fact that most of the findings at such auctions aren't overly rarified -- coins, jewelry (like the gold bangle pictured here), and other disjecta -- the overwhelming sentiment in the air is one of speculation. What could be so important in someone's life that it had to be locked in a bank -- and why was it then simply left there? Then again, the mystery of why something once considered worthy of safekeeping suddenly or gradually becomes the object of indifference, or is simply forgotten, is probably better left to psychologists or poets to unravel.

In the end, imaginatively reconstructing the lives behind some of the lots, from the grandiose to the mundane, is perhaps the real source of enjoyment at these auctions. Elaborate reflections and intricately spun familial yarns can make bidders feel as if, for a short while, they've become entangled in a Paul Auster novel.

Such musings can be a welcome respite after the excess of the summer auctions at the big houses, where it's easy to feel that one has been trapped, with no way out, on Page Six.

-- DAVID COGGINS

Every once in a while, an auction item comes along that commands attention because it's unbelievably weird, beautiful, or just something that you'd never imagine existed--and never imagined anyone would pay $100,000 for.

On March 28, a slew of watches are going on the block in the Antiquorum "Important Collectors' Wristwatches, Pocket Watches & Clocks" auction in New York. 

Now, we've always found the liberal use of "important" when discussing auctions kind of silly. "Important watches"? How important? Important like the Magna Carta is important?  Like Ty Cobb's .367 liftetime batting average is important?

Be that as it may, there is at least one mindblowing watch in the Antiquorum sale--a Buggati "Parmigiani Fleurier" constructed (as the auction catalog has it) "in the shape of an automotive engine encased in an oval-shaped cylinder, 18K white gold gentleman's driver's wristwatch with 10-day autonomy (displayed on a graduated drum) and an 18K white gold Parmigiani double deployant clasp."

Never mind the 10-day autonomy displayed on a graduated drum. A watch in the shape of a car engine? Now that's something we can get our minds around. Whether we're willing to shell out the $120,000 to $150,000 that the watch is expected to bring is another matter entirely. But if ToyWatch ever decides to duplicate it in plastic and some funky primary color, we know what we're wearing to the Indy 500 next year.