Watches Online: The Hong Kong Edit 14-27 September 2022
The Panerai Encyclopedia – Chapter I: 68 lots retracing the amazing Panerai odyssey – a unique array of the rarest and most desirable iterations of the iconic dive watch to come to auction, including coveted Limited Editions.
This exceptional auction, Part IV of The Champion Collection, maintains the high bar set by the themed sales to date from this notable single-owner collection
Panerai panoply of desirability: (fltr) A rare limited edition box set of the Radiomir 3 Days – ref. 373 in platinum, 376 in white gold, 379 in rose gold; the ref. 306 Titanium 1950 Luminor GMT; the ref. 519 Radiomir 1940 Chronograph in rose gold; and a set of two Radiomir 1940 – ref. 398 in rose gold and ref. 399 in stainless steel – all limited edition watches in pristine condition, never before at auction.
Hong Kong, 16 September 2022 – Chapter I of The Panerai Encyclopedia is now live for bidding on Christies.com, a treasure trove of some of the most desirable watches to bear the name of the legendary Florentine Maison, founded in 1860, that revolutionised the dive watch when it became the official supplier to the Italian Royal Navy around the turn of the century. Today, Panerai’s distinctive and unique aesthetic drawn from its military past is admired by collectors of high horology the world over. This carefully curated auction of 68 pieces impresses with the sheer diversity of pristine-condition models. The Panerai Encyclopedia – Chapter I, an online auction, marks part five of the series of themed watch sales from The Champion Collection, the horological journey which began in November of last year.
Alexander Bigler, Vice-President & Head of Watches Christie’s Asia Pacific, shared: “As parts I, II and III have shown so far, The Champion Collection comprises a variety of timepieces never before curated for auction, and never before offered under one roof. The record-breaking success of the three sales to date attest to the remarkable quality of this single-owner offering. The Panerai Encyclopedia – Chapter I proposes 68 rarities of the highest order, showcasing an iconic watch whose functionality and aesthetic have made it a legend in its own time. I can’t imagine a more captivating deep dive into contemporary sport chic than into the realm of Panerai’s elegantly distinctive watches, offered here in an amazing diversity of exclusive models and limited editions, all in pristine condition. Christie’s Hong Kong is honoured to continue the journey of The Champion Collection and excited to offer these exemplary Panerai highlights to collectors around the world during this exclusive Watches Online: The Hong Kong Edit event. “
To highlight four of the 68 iconic Panerai models presented at the auction:
An extremely rare limited edition box set of three Radiomir 3 Days watches: ref. Pam00373 Platino (platinum); ref. Pam00376 Oro Bianco (white gold); and ref. Pam00379 Oro Rosa (rose gold), 47mm diameter, circa 2011. Set no. 3 of 11.
Lot 46 – HKD 240,000-460,000
Ref. PAM306 is the Luminor 1950 Tourbillon GMT Titanio (titanium), one of 150 pieces and one of the most complicated Panerai timepieces ever made.
Lot 54 – HKD 200,000-400,000
Ref. PAM00519 is the Radiomir 1940 Chronograph Oro Rosso (red gold) with a Minerva-based movement, no. 8 of a limited edition of 100 pieces. Rarely seen on the open market, the superb styling of this rose gold Radiomir chronograph epitomises the diverse Panerai rarities within The Champion Collection.
Lot 5 – HKD 160,000 – HKD 320,000
Ref. PAM00784 is no. 1 of a limited edition of 100 sets, containing two Radiomir 1940 models with a Minerva-based movement: the ref. PAM00398 RADIOMIR 1940 Oro Rosso (red gold) and the ref. PAM00399 RADIOMIR 1940 Acciaio (stainless steel).
Lot 1 – Estimate: HKD 160,000 – HKD 320,000
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*Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are reported net of applicable fees.