Inside Christie’s Hong Kong’s record-breaking watch auction in May featuring exclusive Rolex and Audemars Piguet timepieces, and 3 rare Patek Philippes set to sell for millions
If you’re a luxury watch aficionado looking for your next watch “grail”, make sure to mark your calendars for once-in-a-lifetime auction event, taking place on Friday, May 26, from 1pm HKT onwards at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. There will be two back-to-back live sales with multiple lots of unforgettable timepieces.
The once-in-a-lifetime auction event
Starting at 1pm HKT is the Important Watches live auction with 165 lots and at 6pm HKT The Ultimate Collection live auction with 107 lots – all of which only had one owner. The consecutive watch auctions showcase some of the most lust-worthy timepieces ever created and arguably some of the most iconic selections of both contemporary and vintage pieces in existence.
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To suitably entice the ever-watchful chrono connoisseurs, every watch in this unparalleled collection is a true stand-out piece, carefully preserved in impeccable condition, some even remaining factory “double-sealed” to this day thanks to their single owner status.
Hand-picked for their exceptional rarity and desirability, the timepieces on offer are some of the most sought-after models from the world-renowned watchmaking houses of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex and Lange & Söhne, as well as incredible independent watchmakers such as F.P. Journe, who is regarded as the greatest living watchmaker, and the Dutch Horological Brothers Grönefeld – celebrated winners of multiple awards, including the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2022.
With so many lots to bid on, we’d suggest keeping an eye on these three rare Patek Philippe pieces in particular. Read on to find out why …
1. Patek Philippe Ref. 5207P-001
The crown jewel in the Ultimate Collection, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5207P-001 (circa 2010) stands as one of the most complicated timepieces ever crafted by the iconic timepiece maker and is estimated to sell between HK$4.5 million – HK$9 million.
This piece 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.
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2. Patek Philippe “Dual Crown World Time”
The highlight of the Important Watch auction is the undoubted horological heavyweight – the Patek Philippe “Dual Crown World Time” – featuring a map of North America depicted on its cloisonné enamel dial.
3. Patek Philippe Ref. 3670A-001
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Crafted around 2012 and estimated to sell for HK$7.2 million – HK$12 million, the exquisite Patek Philippe timepiece boasts one of the 16 rare vintage chronograph movements. The fabled calibre 13-130 was first introduced in 1955 and was serendipitously discovered in a chest at Patek Philippe’s historic headquarters in Geneva, perfectly preserved.
To commemorate this momentous discovery, these rare calibres were meticulously disassembled, reassembled and rehoused in a cushion case, made of steel to pay homage to the original 1950s chronograph design, showcasing an exceptional level of exclusivity and luxury.
- Rare watches will go under the hammer at Christie’s Hong Kong’s auction on May 26, with 272 lots featuring in two back-to-back live sales – Important Watches and The Ultimate Collection
- These include one-of-a-kind, contemporary and vintage pieces from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Lange & Söhne, and – most notably – commissioned pieces by F.P. Journe