Giuseppe Marasco After the record breaking sale of a Patek Philippe ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’
at HK$ 45.5 million in March – the most valuable timepiece sold online globally – Christie’s Hong Kong is preparing to engage the watch world again with two live auctions in May.
With a combined low estimate exceeding HK$ 270 million, the highest low estimate to date for the category at Christie’s in Asia, a testament to the selection on offer
The highlight of the Important Watches auction, the Patek Philippe Ref. 2523J ‘Dual Crown World Time’ (low estimate HK$ 55 million), is a horological masterpiece, with the potential to become the most expensive wristwatch sold at Christie’s in Asia.
Left, from “The Ultimate Collection”: one of the most complicated timepieces ever to be made by Patek Philippe, the grand complication Ref. 5207P (estimate: HK$4,500,000-9,000,000)
Right, from the “Important Watches” collection: Patek Philippe with cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of North America, Ref. 2523J (estimate: HK$55,000,000-120,000,000).
Hong Kong – Christie’s Hong Kong is set to make horological history once more with two live sales on 26 May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Ultimate Collection sale will present a comprehensive selection of both contemporary and vintage pieces, featuring a number of elusive “double seal” and “special dial” lots by Patek Philippe, as well as highly desirable commissioned pieces by F.P. Journe. With Rolex recently unveiling new Daytona models at the Watches and Wonders trade show in Geneva to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this legendary watch model, there will also be a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire sought-after, discontinued Daytona references, ranging from the Ref. 116500LN to the vintage Ref. 6264 Paul Newman.
The Important Watches sale features an array of extremely limited “special dial” Patek Philippe references, including highly sought-after blue-chip models such as Ref. 3970S and Ref. 5970. Most notably, this auction presents the most valuable timepiece ever to be offered in Christie’s Hong Kong auction room: a Patek Philippe Ref. 2523J ‘Dual Crown World Time’ with a map of North America depicted on its cloisonné enamel dial (Est: HK$55 million-120 million).
Alexandre Bigler, Vice-President, Head of Watches Asia Pacific, shared, “Christie’s Hong Kong is capitalizing on the market vibrancy in Asia and the resounding successes of our record-breaking sales last Autumn, including the spectacular sales of The Champion Collection and the fresh record set by the Patek Philippe ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’ sold at our online auction in March. The live auctions we are excited to present in May are poised to further fuel the strong buying momentum: both The Ultimate Collection and the Important Watches sales are set to shatter previous records. The exceptional quality of the offerings once again demonstrates Christie’s Hong Kong’s commitment as the leading platform, backed by the unrivalled expertise of our specialist teams, to serve collectors in the sale and acquisition of horological treasures.”
Single Owner Live Auction: The Ultimate Collection
Patek Philippe. This Ref. 5207P-001 stands as one of the most complicated timepieces ever crafted by Patek Philippe.
The watch combines a minute repeater, instantaneous perpetual calendar, moon phases, day/night and leap year indications, as well as a tourbillon, all housed within a platinum case featuring hand-engraved flanks surrounding a bronze dial.
Circa 2010.
(Est: HK$4,500,000-9,000,000)
Patek Philippe. A rare 18k white gold and diamond-set limited edition automatic chronograph wristwatch with date and bracelet, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Nautilus collection.
This single-sealed Nautilus model, Ref. 5976/1G-001, dates back to circa 2017.
(Est: HK$2,000,000-4,000,000)
Patek Philippe. A remarkably rare and well-preserved 18k gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, retailed by Gübelin, Ref. 3448, manufactured in 1977.
The Reference 3448, introduced in 1962, was the world’s first serially produced self-winding perpetual calendar wristwatch, and until 1978 remained the only one of its kind on the market.
This offered piece is therefore one of the last of its kind.
(Est: HK$1,200,000-2,400,000)
A stunning 18k pink gold automatic Rolex, featuring diamond and multi-colour gemstone-set accents, sweep centre seconds and date, this Yacht-Master “Candy” model is truly eye-catching.
Ref. 116695SATS, circa 2019
(Est: HK$650,000-1,300,000)
