PRESS RELEASE | HONG KONG | 25 MAY 2014 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG PRESENTS

IMPORTANT WATCHES SPRING AUCTION 2014 

HEADLINED BY AN EXTREMELY RARE PISTOL-FORM PERFUME SPRINKLER

Hong Kong – Christie’s Hong Kong will stage its 2014 Important Watches spring auction on May 28, featuring over 600 lots. With a superb array of high-calibre timepieces, the sale will present the finest minute repeating, perpetual calendar, tourbillon and split seconds wristwatches from leading blue chip brands, as well as cutting-edge creations of the world’s foremost independent watchmakers. A number of notable pocket watches featuring tourbillon and automata mechanisms also highlights the auction, together with some of the most lavishly jewelled watches ever manufactured.

ANTIQUE TIMEPIECES

The headliner of the sale is an extremely rare, important and fine gold, enamel and pearl-set flintlock pistol-form perfume sprinkler with concealed watch and original fitted travel box (Illustrated above, Lot 2637, estimate: HK$4,500,000-6,500,000/ US$580,000-800,000). This lavishly embellished antique watch is made in Switzerland circa 1805 for the Chinese market and attributed to the famous Moulinié, Bautte & Cie of Geneva. The present lot is entirely made of gold and adorned with seed pearls and decorations in rich translucent dark blue and scarlet red enamels, epitomising the creativity and exquisite craftsmanship of European watchmakers at the time. Moreover, no more than 15 single examples of these pistol perfume sprinklers are known to exist. Notwithstanding its luxurious nature and extreme rarity, it is more importantly the repository of a fascinating cultural exchange between China and the West during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

PATEK PHILIPPE MODERN WRISTWATCHES

One of world’s most revered watchmakers, Patek Philippe, continues to play a pivotal part this season. A quintet of the brand’s modern wristwatches takes centre stage in the sale. The first two are a pair of very fine and rare perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatches with moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication and original certificate, both belonging to the Ref. 5970 family and made in 2011. One features 18k pink gold and an unusual black tachymetre dial (Lot 2605, estimate: HK$2,400,000-4,000,000/ US$300,000-500,000), while the other is an 18k white gold watch with unusual salmon tachymetre dial (Lot 2608, estimate: HK$2,400,000-4,000,000/ US$300,000-500,000).

The third watch is a Ref. 5004 creation made in 2009 (Illustrated left above, Lot 2612, estimate: HK$4,000,000-6,000,000/ US$500,000-800,000). This very fine and rare platinum perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph wristwatch has moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication, bracelet, unusual blue tachymetre dial and original certificate. Another masterpiece is a very rare and impressive 18k white gold, enamel and diamond-set bracelet watch, Nautilus Dragon model, Ref. 5720, circa 2012 (Illustrated middle above, Lot 2348, estimate: HK$2,400,000-4,000,000/ US$300,000-500,000). Finely decorated with 1648 pavé-set diamonds weighing 9.358 carats, the watch features an enamelled dragon on the dial that extends to the bezel, depicting a five-clawed dragon striding amidst engraved clouds. Each dragon uses 10 different enamel colours and can be considered a unique piece as the details of the enamel work differ very slightly for all the dragons due to their hand-made nature. According to Christie’s research, this is the first time ever this design has been offered at auction.

Rounding up the section is an extremely fine and rare platinum cushion-shaped perpetual calendar single button split seconds chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, day and night display, leap year indication, black dial and original certificate, Ref. 5951, circa 2012 (Illustrated right above, Lot 2433, estimate: HK$3,500,000-4,500,000/ US$440,000-560,000). Ref. 5951 was launched at Baselworld Fair in 2010 and boasts the thinnest column-wheel-controlled split seconds chronograph movement ever made by Patek Philippe. The bi-colour dial with the combination of red chronograph hands make this reference more contemporary and sporty, giving a uniquely appealing look to the watch. The present watch, which is in pristine condition, marks the first time that this rare reference is offered at Christie’s saleroom.

PATEK PHILIPPE MINUTE REPEATERS

A string of exquisitely crafted minute repeaters from Patek Philippe also takes the season’s spotlight. Topping the category is a very fine and extremely rare platinum minute repeating instantaneous perpetual calendar tourbillon wristwatch with leap year indication, day and night display, moon phases and original certificate, Ref. 5207, circa 2011 (Illustrated left, Lot 2620, estimate: HK$5,000,000-7,000,000/ US$650,000-900,000). Introduced in 2008, Ref. 5207 stands as a true testament in modern horological manufacture. Developed over a five-year period, this magnificent creation is characterised by the high technique of the movement, the beauty of the case, and especially the dial layout with easily readable apertures that instantaneously advance at midnight. Christie’s research shows that less than 10 pieces of this “Grande Complication” are manufactured per year, underlining the exclusivity behind this masterpiece. In addition, the present watch is fresh to the market and in close to ‘mint’ condition.

Another headliner is an extremely fine and rare 18k pink gold minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with enamel dial and original certificate, Ref. 5339, circa 2011 (Illustrated right, Lot 2619, estimate: HK$3,200,000-5,000,000/ US$400,000-620,000). In production from 2010 until 2012 and only manufactured in pink gold, Ref. 5339 is an exclusive reference that houses a tourbillon and a minute repeater. It also sports a white enamel dial with contemporary style ‘baton’ numerals, as well as the brand’s signature “Clou de Paris” bezel. Offered for the first time at Christie's, it is fresh to the market and in pristine condition.

Further highlights include a very fine and rare platinum tonneau-shaped automatic minute repeating annual calendar wristwatch with original certificate, Ref. 5033, circa 2010 (Lot 2615, estimate: HK$2,700,000-4,200,000/ US$340,000-520,000);  a very fine and extremely rare platinum minute repeating automatic wristwatch with enamel dial and original certificate, Ref. 5078, circa 2009 (Lot 2436, estimate: HK$2,400,000-3,800,000/ US$300,000-480,000), from an important collector; and a fine and very rare 18k pink gold minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with enamel dial, Breguet numerals and original certificate, Ref. 3939, manufactured in 2007 (Lot 2332, estimate: HK$2,800,000-4,000,000/ US$350,000-500,000).

MODERN COMPLICATIONS

Combining outstanding craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology and unique looks, an array of stunning modern watches are presented in the auction. Swiss high-end watchmaker, Greubel Forsey, will present two horological masterpieces. One is an extremely fine, important and very rare 18k pink gold quadruple tourbillon asymmetrical wristwatch with power reserve and special dial (Illustrated left, Lot 2498, estimate: HK$2,600,000-4,000,000/ US$330,000-500,000). The model stands out with the ability to calculate median precision for the time display. The other technical marvel is an Inclined 24 Seconds Tourbillon GMT (Illustrated right, Lot 2284, estimate: HK$2,000,000-3,000,000/ $250,000-380,000). This very fine, impressive and very rare 18k white gold 25° inclined 24 seconds tourbillon dual time zone world time asymmetrical wristwatch features a spectacular 3D temporal representation of a rotating terrestrial globe, offering the wearer a view of time all over the world. Meanwhile, another Swiss watch giant Hublot will offer two creations in this section as well.

An important and very fine Jaeger-Lecoultre Master Grande Tradition (Illustrated left below, Lot 2482, estimate: HK$2,400,000-4,000,000/ US$300,000-500,000) is another exceptional piece. By combining the sky chart indicator with an engine-turned dial and a flying tourbillon, the watch has successfully transformed itself into a mobile astronomical chart. On the other hand, German watchmaker A. LANGE & Söhne is represented in the auction by a Lange 31 (Lot 2491, estimate: HK$620,000-960,000/ US$80,000-120,000). The very fine and rare platinum wristwatch is the first mechanical wristwatch with a power reserve of 31 days, and features a revolutionary key winding mechanism.

Rounding up the group are three timepieces from independent brands Kari Voutilainen and Laurent Ferrier. Originally from Finland, Voutilainen established himself as an independent artist watchmaker in Switzerland in 2002. His works are all entirely handmade and of limited number, with the maker himself involved every technical and aesthetic procedure of his innovative creations. Highlights include two very fine and rare wristwatches of Vingt-8 model with direct impulse escapement, one 18k white gold with salmon dial (Lot 2258, estimate: HK$320,000-480,000/ US$40,000-60,000) and the other platinum with blue dial (Illustrated middle above, Lot 2259, estimate: HK$300,000-400,000/ US$38,000-50,000). Ferrier is another important name in today’s world of horology. The sale presents a very fine and rare 18k pink gold automatic wristwatch with Breguet numerals from its elegant Galet Micro-Rotor model (Illustrated right above, Lot 2261, estimate: HK$200,000-300,000/ US$25,000-38,000), which features a micro-rotor automatic winding system, a silicon escapement with double direct impulse on the balance and a silent block shock protection system for the micro-rotor.

BEJEWELLED TIMEPIECES

Since jewelled watches remain collectors’ favourites, Christie’s will present a stunning selection of bling timepieces this season. Highlights include a fine and rare 18k white gold and diamond-set rectangular La Strada model wristwatch with bracelet by Chopard circa 2008 (Lot 2527, estimate: HK$800,000-1,200,000/ US$100,000-150,000), an impressive and fine 18k white gold, diamond and sapphire-set square bracelet watch manufactured by Piaget in 1988 (Lot 2393, estimate: HK$550,000-720,000/ US$70,000-90,000), which is set with 264 brilliant-cut diamonds weighing approximately 15.99 carats and 144 baguette-cut sapphires weighing approximately 15.35 carats; and an impressive and fine 18k gold and diamond-set square bracelet watch manufactured by Piaget in 1989 (Lot 2397, estimate: HK$620,000-960,000/ US$80,000-120,000), with 264 brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 15.99 carats and 144 baguette-cut diamonds weighing 11.26 carats.

Adding to the dazzle is a very fine and rare Patek Philippe Twenty-4 (Illustrated right, Lot 2422, estimate: HK$850,000-1,200,000/ US$110,000-150,000), which is amongst the brand’s most successful lady’s watches ever made. This present 18k white gold rectangular wristwatch with bracelet, manufactured in 2003, is set with 32 princess-cut diamonds weighing 0.95 carats, 110 diamonds weighing 0.35 carats and 1,039 diamonds weighing 8.11 carats, and is in overall excellent condition.

PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN COLLECTION

Following the success of Part 1 and Part 2 sales in Dubai and Geneva respectively, Christie’s is honoured to present Part 3 of the exceptional watches from an important European collection in Hong Kong. This group of watches is built with great enthusiasm and creative thought by the collector over the last 30 years is comprised of some of the rarest and most sought-after Rolex and Patek Philippe watches the market has seen in recent years.

Among most remarkable pieces from the collection is a fine and very rare platinum automatic world time wristwatch with green enamel dial, original certificate and box, made for Mecca, circa 2011 (Illustrated left, Lot 2301, estimate: HK$700,000-1,000,000/ US$88,000-130,000). It belongs to a limited edition of Ref. 5130. Only 150 pieces were manufactured in platinum and with an emerald green centre disc, with the word “Mecca” printed in green on the dial as green is the traditional colour of Islam. This is the first time this rare example comes to auction at Christie’s. Another Patek Philippe masterpiece on offer is a very fine and rare platinum perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph wristwatch from the classic Ref. 5004 manufactured in 2002 (Lot 2305, estimate: HK$1,800,000-2,600,000/ US$230,000-320,000). Boasting the highly complex split seconds function, Ref. 5004 was launched in 1994 and is today discontinued, replaced by Ref. 5951 and 5204.

On the Rolex side, there are two eminent horological creations. A very rare stainless steel automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, bracelet and “4 Liner” dial, circa 1958 (Lot 2663, estimate: HK$450,000-600,000/ US$56,000-75,000) is a rare example of a “big crown” Ref. 6538. The dial, in original condition, retains beautifully aged luminous hour markers, but the most notable detail to scholars is however the superb “4-liner” chronometer dial, which consists of four lines that are not plainly printed in the same style but are of three different types. Also presented is a very fine and attractive 18k gold automatic triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases and two-tone dial, circa 1950 (Illustrated right above, Lot 2674, estimate: HK$1,000,000-1,500,000/ US$130,000-190,000). It is from Rolex’s celebrated Ref. 8171, which is affectionately called “Padellone” or “big pan” by collectors, and is one of the firm’s only two models of a calendar wristwatch with the addition of the moon phase indication. The reference was made in a small series and to the best of Christie’s knowledge, only 350 were produced in yellow gold. The perfectly aged charismatic dial will make this watch a trophy specimen to any Rolex connoisseur’s collection.

CHRISTIE’S HONG KONG IMPORTANT WATCHES SPRING AUCTION 2014

Venue: Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

PRESS CONTACT: Simone Woo | Hong Kong | +852 2978 9966 | swoo@christies.com

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