PRESS RELEASE ǀ HONG KONG ǀ 5 MAY 2016 ǀ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

A CELEBRATION OF

HERITAGE & INNOVATION

Hong Kong – To be held on 30 May 2016, Christie’s Hong Kong sale of Important Watches will feature some 390 carefully selected timepieces, including a phenomenal array of incredibly rare and unique creations.

Covering the full spectrum of watchmaking, this curated sale will not only celebrate tradition and heritage, as illustrated by an unrivalled repertoire of Patek Philippe’s highly complicated watches, but also innovation and pioneering, as can be seen in the technological advances and designs of independent watchmakers such as Greubel Forsey, Richard Mille, MB & F, Urwerk, F. P. Journe and HYT, amongst others.

One of the rarest and most exciting highlights from this sale is a unique 18k white gold tonneau-shaped skeletonised tourbillon wristwatch, its movement adorned with lapis lazuli-set wheels, ref. RM018 AI WG, made by Richard Mille to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of Boucheron, circa 2008 (estimate: HK$2,400,000-4,000,000 / US$300,000-500,000; illustrated above).

Frederic Watrelot, Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia and Mary Lee, Senior Specialist Head of Sale, commented: “In anticipation of Christie’s 250^th anniversary and Christie’s Hong Kong’s 30^th anniversary, we have carefully assembled a selection of traditional to cutting-edge watches. Emphasis on artistry and expertise has always been at the heart of the success of Christie’s and of the many renowned manufacturers we offer at our auctions. From an amazing Girard Perregaux “Jackpot” timepiece and a group of rare and complicated wristwatches by Patek Philippe to prototypes by Jaeger-LeCoultre, Christie’s Hong Kong sale to be held on 30 May will be a celebration of the artistic and mechanical prowess characteristic of watchmaking excellence”.

RARE & UNIQUE

Led by the aforementioned unique 18k white gold tonneau-shaped skeletonised tourbillon wristwatch, its movement adorned with lapis lazuli-set wheels, ref. RM018 AI WG, made by Richard Mille to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of Boucheron, circa 2008 (estimate: HK$2,400,000-4,000,000 / US$300,000-500,000; illustrated on the cover), the sale will feature a further significant selection of extremely rare pieces.

Highlights include an 18k white gold and diamond-set barrel-shaped double-dialed tourbillon wristwatch with date and 8 day power reserve, numero 0, manufactured by Daniel Roth circa 1995 (estimate: HK$350,000-550,000 / US$45,000-70,000; illustrated above left), and a unique 18k white gold minute repeating wristwatch with a hand-painted miniature on mother-of-pearl dial, inspired by the Madonna della Sedia, a masterpiece by famous Italian Renaissance painter Raphael, Fleurier répétitions minutes model by Bovet, circa 2010 (estimate: HK$550,000-800,000 / US$70,000-100,000; illustrated above right).

A TRIUMPH OF PATEK PHILIPPE

An impressive selection of 84 contemporary Patek Philippe timepieces will be led by a platinum perpetual calendar split seconds chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication, ref. 5004, manufactured by Patek Philippe circa 2000 (HK$1,200,000-2,000,000 / US$150,000-250,000; illustrated right).

Another rare and important Patek Philippe creation, a platinum gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication, ref. 5970, circa 2010, is estimated at HK$1,000-000-1,800,000 / US$130,000-230,000 (illustrated left).

Also cased in platinum, a perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year indication and diamond-set index, ref. 3970, manufactured by Patek Philippe circa 2000 will be offered with an estimate of HK$750,000-1,200,000 / US$96,000-150,000.

Of additional note is an 18k pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, leap year, day and night indication, additional case back, original certificate and box, ref. 5270,

INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

Innovative timepieces have always appealed to our most discerning Asian collectors and the spring sale of Christie’s Hong Kong will feature some truly exceptional and creative examples, such as an 18k white gold and gold bridge tourbillon wristwatch with slot machine with chime mechanism, vintage 1945 Jackpot Tourbillon model, made by Girard-Perregaux circa 2014 (estimate: HK$1,100,000-2,000,000 / US$140,000-250,000; illustrated above centre).

Also by Girard-Perregaux, an 18k pink gold minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with Westminster carillon chimes, Opera One model, circa 2003 is estimated at HK$800,000-1,000,000 / US$100,000-130,000 (illustrated above left).

As a tribute to 2016 - the Year of the Monkey, we will offer a Cartier Ballon Bleu wristwatch with a special cloisonné enamel and gem-set dial featuring an adorable monkey amidst green foliage (estimate: HK$320,000-480,000 / US$40,000-60,000; illustrated above right).

NAISSANCE D’UNE MONTRE

World-renowned independent watch creators Robert Greubel, Stephen Forsey and Philippe Dufour are united by the common goal of recording and preserving the art of traditional watchmaking techniques. Together they gave life to the “Le Garde Temps – Naissance d’une Montre” project – literally “The Time Keeper – Birth of a Watch”. To avoid the risk of losing these traditional techniques forever, they have asked a young watchmaking teacher - Michel Boulanger, to learn the ancestral skills of watchmaking techniques and put them in practice by making a watch entirely by hand.

Resulting from six years of research and painstaking work, this team is proud to present a unique handmade tourbillon “Pièce École” timepiece, realised according to the most authentic spirit of traditional watchmaking. On 30 May, Christie’s Hong Kong will be selling at auction the Prototype of a very limited edition of only eleven examples of this incredibly innovative model (illustrated above). To be offered with an estimate on request, a proportion of the proceeds of the sale of this unique timepiece and the full Christie’s buyer’s premium will be reinvested by the seller in the “Le Garde Temps – Naissance d’une Montre” project.

30 YEARS: THE ANNIVERSARY SALE

Also on 30 May, Christie’s Hong Kong will celebrate its 30^th anniversary by offering Thirty Years: The Sale, a special multi-category auction to mark the memorable occasion.

Only two exceptionally rare timepieces have been selected for this one-off anniversary auction, both of which are unique creations by Patek Philippe.

Manufactured in 1977 and originally sold in 1985, the unique gilt-brass solar powered dome table clock, signed Patek Philippe, Genève, “Fêtes Des Vendanges”, ref. 1152, is lavishly decorated with individual polychrome cloisonné enamel panels by Marie-Françoise Martin which depict villagers wearing traditional Swiss costumes while celebrating the grape harvest season (estimate: HK$800,000-1,200,000 / US$110,000-160,000; illustrated right).

A unique 18k gold openface keyless lever pocket watch, ref. 652/20, manufactured by Patek Philippe in 1986 is embellished with an impressive enamel miniature representing “Boat races at sea”. Most likely inspired by a 19^th century painting, this miniature was created by G. Menni, one of the most distinguished enamellers working for the manufacture in the 1980s and 1990s (estimate: HK$600,000-1,000,000 / US$78,000-130,000; illustrated below).

Hong Kong Important Watches

Monday, 30 May 2016 at 9.30am (lots 2301-2689)

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Viewings in Hong Kong:

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

26-28 May / 10:30am-6pm

29 May / 10:30am-6:30pm

International Tour:

Singapore / ArtSpace @ HeluTrans

7-8 May / 11am-7pm

Beijing / Rosewood Hotel

13-14 May / 10am-6pm

Geneva / Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues

13-15 May / 10am-6pm

Taipei / Fubon International Convention Center

14-15 May / 11am-6pm

Bangkok / Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel

18-19 May / 11am-6:30pm

Press Contacts:

Lee Bingle / +852 2978 6966 / lbingle@christes.com

Gigi Ho / +852 2978 6719 / gigiho@christies.com