Hong Kong – On 26 November, Christie’s Hong Kong will present the Important Watches Live Autumn Auction at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring a diverse curation of exceptional timepieces for watch collectors across generations. Comprising 146 lots and with a total low estimate of HK$123,268,000 / US$15,408,500, this remarkable auction will be held alongside the preeminent single-owner sale of The OAK Collection Part 1, announced in September, further enhancing Christie’s outstanding offering of watches this season in Hong Kong.
Highlights of the Important Watches Live Auction include two Patek Philippe wristwatches – one manufactured in 1950, the other in circa 2021 – which both showcase iconic complications made famous by the brand. Firstly, an extraordinary vintage pink gold reference 1518, the ancestor of all Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronographs, and, secondly, an impressive contemporary pink gold World Time Minute Repeating reference 5531R. The latter’s dial is exquisitely decorated with a view of the Lavaux Vineyards on the shores of Lake Geneva, created in the centuries-old technique of cloisonne enamel – an art that has enjoyed a renaissance under the patronage of Patek Philippe. Both wristwatches exemplify the brand’s unwavering dedication to excellence, innovation, and the preservation of horological artistry.
Furthermore, Christie’s Hong Kong is honoured to present a very rare Philippe Dufour Simplicity in 18k pink gold, Simplicity is considered by many collectors to be among the most superb pieces of horology ever made, beautifully displaying the finest finishing techniques in a straightforward time-only presentation. For astute collectors lucky enough to own one of his watches, most would consider it the pinnacle of their collection and it would be the one piece to remain if all others had to go. Christie’s Hong Kong has the privilege to be offering one of the most superb examples of watchmaking by a living legend, especially in the desirable pink gold case and silver guilloché dial.
Alexandre Bigler, Senior Vice President and Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia Pacific, commented: “Demand for watches in Asia Pacific continues to soar, with the region contributing close to 50% of Christie’s global watches sales in the first half of 2023. To celebrate the deep passion held for horological masterworks, we have carefully curated this sale to include the finest timepieces for watch enthusiasts in the region and worldwide. From seasoned collectors to those new to the field, we look forward to convening for this magnificent season for watches in Hong Kong, where masterpieces by renowned watchmakers such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, and Richard Mille will be showcased.”
PATEK PHILIPPE
An important, extremely rare and incredibly well-preserved 18k pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases and Portuguese calendar. Ref. 1518, second series, manufactured in 1950
(Est: HK$16,000,000 – 32,000,000)
PATEK PHILIPPE
A magnificent and very rare platinum double-dial wristwatch with twelve complications including “cathedral” minute repeating, tourbillon, perpetual calendar with retrograde date, moon age and angular motion, sidereal time and sky chart. Ref. 5002P-001, circa 2010
(Est: HK$10,000,000 – 20,000,000)
PATEK PHILIPPE
An extremely rare and gorgeous 18k pink gold automatic world time minute repeating wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial depicting the view of the Lavaux vineyards on the shores of Lake Geneva. Ref. 5531R-012, circa 2021
(Est: HK$8,400,000 – 16,000,000)
PATEK PHILIPPE
A magnificent and highly complicated platinum and baguette-cut diamond-set minute repeating perpetual calendar tourbillon wristwatch with retrograde date, leap year and moon phases indication. Ref. 5217P-001, circa 2017
(Est: HK$6,000,000 – 12,000,000)
PHILIPPE DUFOUR
A very rare 18k pink gold wristwatch. Simplicity model, circa 2002
(Est: HK$4,000,000 – 8,000,000)
AUDEMARS PIGUET
An extremely rare and magnificent 18k white gold, diamond and multi-coloured gem-set automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and bracelet. Royal Oak model, Ref. 15413BC, sold in 2022.
(Est: HK$2,000,000 – 4,000,000)
ROLEX
A highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet
Daytona model, “Paul Newman” dial, Ref. 6241
(Est: HK$1,200,000 – 2,000,000)
RICHARD MILLE
A lady’s attractive 18k white gold and diamond-set automatic tonneau-shaped semi-skeletonised wristwatch with date, red jasper dial and bracelet. Ref. RM037, circa 2017
(Est: HK$800,000 – 1,600,000)
About Christie’s
Founded in 1766, Christie’s has a physical presence in 46 countries, throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, with flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. It also is the only international auction house authorized to hold sales in mainland China (Shanghai). Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $200 to over $100 million. In recent years, Christie’s has achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction (Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvador Mundi, 2017), for a single collection sale (the Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller, 2018), and for a work by a living artist (Jeff Koons’ Rabbit, 2019). Recent innovations at Christie’s include the ground-breaking sale of the first NFT for a digital work of art ever offered at a major auction house (Beeple’s Everydays, March 2021), with the unprecedented acceptance of cryptocurrency as a means of payment. As an industry leader in digital innovation, Christie’s also continues to pioneer new technologies that are redefining the business of art, including the creation of viewing and bidding experiences that integrate augmented reality, global livestreaming, buy-now channels, and hybrid sales formats. Christie’s is dedicated to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide, including achieving sustainability through net zero carbon emissions by 2030, and actively using its platform in the art world to amplify under-represented voices and support positive change. Browse, bid, discover…