The clock is ticking on Sotheby’s final watch sale of the year, scheduled for Wednesday. A total of 51 timepieces are being sold in the online auction, titled “Fine Watches,” with the historical “Victory Watch” being one of the sale’s top lots.

Legendary British naval officer Admiral Horatio Nelson was presented with the gilt metal, gold, and enamel watch by officers on the HMS Victory in 1805. Weeks later, Nelson etched his name into the history books by defeating the combined Spanish-French fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar. He did, of course, lose his life in the process.

Sotheby’s catalog describes the timepiece as “a historical gilt metal, gold and enamel four train quarter striking musical chaise watch playing two tunes, with alarm, moon age and flying fifths.” Its high estimate is £400,000 ($537,000), and the current bid at the time of writing is £65,000 ($87,300). It’s the first time the watch has come to auction in 20 years.

Nelson received the watch just before returning home to Merton Place, the house in Surrey he shared with his mistress Emma, Lady Hamilton, on August 20, 1805 after two years at sea onboard HMS Victory. The presentation of the watch was intended to mark his admiral’s retu...