The resurfacing of a previously unknown reference which rewrites scholarship is an extremely rare occurrence in the watch collecting world. Such is the excitement surrounding the Ref. 5021, an extremely rare and possibly unique platinum and diamond-set cushioned shaped perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication. The Ref. 5021 is believed to have been made in extremely small quantities and upon special request, making this model one of the most elusive timepieces of the watch collecting world. While a yellow and a pink gold Ref. 5021 were seen at auction over 10 years ago, until today, the Ref. 5021 in platinum with pavé-set diamond bezel and lugs was unknown to the market.  This spectacular example, manufactured in 1995, with its crisp case lines and outstanding black dial, is furthermore offered here as a complete example, with its box and original certificate (Lot 2687, estimate: HK$2,000,000-3,600,000/US$250,000-450,000).

Rounding up the trio of Patek Philippe highlights is an impressive and exceptionally rare platinum and sapphire-set perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases and leap year indication, Ref. 5971. Made by Patek Philippe circa 2010, this Ref. 5971 is set with 42 sapphires weighing approximately 5.1 carats and is in very good condition. Towards the end of the production of this reference, Mr. Philippe Stern had especially made ten pieces with emeralds, five with sapphires and five with rubies, an extremely small production for the brand’s top collectors. The present lot, one of the five pieces set with a lavish yet sophisticated sapphire-set dial and bezel, has never been offered at auction (Lot 2720, estimate: HK$2,000,000-3,600,000/US$250,000-450,000).

Greubel Forsey is famous for their tourbillon innovations and this is an extremely important and rare platinum quadruple tourbillon asymmetrical wristwatch with power reserve, Quadruple Tourbillon model, No. 53, circa 2011. The ground-breaking Quadruple Tourbillon Differential encapsulates the pioneering advances and vision of the high-end independent watchmakers Robert Greubel and Stephan Forsey. With an impressive set of four separate tourbillons that are separated into two regulating organs, this horological masterpiece boasts an extremely intricate design that showcases the brand’s state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled craftsmanship. The construction and adjustment of its three-dimensional multi-axis whirlwinds is pure artistry in the realm of high complications (Lot 2713, estimate: HK$2,000,000-4,000,000/US$250,000-500,000).

Known for their high jewellery timepieces, Piaget’s impressive, extremely fine and large 18k white gold, diamond set cushion-shaped automatic dual time wristwatch is of the Emperador Coussin model, Ref. P10390, made circa 2011. Piaget Emperador timepieces distinguish themselves through the elegance of their complex cushion-shaped case designed to showcase Piaget’s creativity and the skills of their jewel-setters. This bejewelled watch stands out with its baguette and pavé-set diamond case, lugs and dial as well as its secret pavé-set diamond back, created solely for the pleasure of the wearer. Equipped with the 850P automatic movement intended for travellers, the present watch offers refinement as well as useful functions such as a second time zone, day/night indication and a large date window (Lot 2634, estimate: HK$1,800,000-2,400,000/US$225,000-300,000).

Showcasing the modern watches in the sale are five exceptional timepieces, each from an industry heavyweight. The first, by Panerai, is a very fine and rare ceramic limited edition cushion-shaped skeletonised tourbillion dual time wristwatch, the Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramica model, Ref. Pam00350. Originally developed for the Italian Navy before WWII, the Panerai Radiomir with its many technological advances, continues to captivate collectors for its durability, unusual water-resistant case and easily readable dial. Manufactured In 2010, the present Panerai “Lo Scienziato” was created to celebrate legendary Italian scientist Galileo Galilei, and is numbered 143 of a limited edition of 150 examples only (Lot 2452, estimate: HK$640,000-960,000/US$80,000-120,000).

From German watchmaker extraordinaire A. Lange & Söhne comes this very fine and extremely rare platinum limited edition wristwatch, circa 2012, with digital time display, power reserve, hack feature and hand-engraved dial. The name of the model, Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst, stands for “craftsmanship” in German, and was introduced by the company in 2012 to celebrate Saxon artisanship at its very finest. Consigned by a private collector, the present watch has never been offered at auction before and is numbered 7 of a limited edition of 30 examples only (Lot 2710, estimate: HK$600,000-900,000/US$75,000-110,000).

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet is represented by a very fine and rare platinum skeletonised tourbillon chronograph Wristwatch, the Openworked Tourbillon Chronograph model, circa 2011. This highly complicated watch is from the Jules Audemars collection, which pays tribute to one of the brand’s founders and is a refined line embodying a legacy of intricate knowledge inherited from traditional horology. Models from the collection are distinguished by round cases with exquisitely rounded and satin-brushed sides, subtly reminiscent of the early pocket-watches (Lot 2274, estimate: HK$550,000-800,000/US$68,000-100,000).

Blancpain is a Swiss watch manufacture of important heritage which specializes in timelessly elegant designs with highly complicated movements such as this very fine and rare 18k pink gold automatic perpetual calendar split seconds flyback chronograph wristwatch. This Tourbillon Quattro model, circa 2004, is numbered 26 and combines the accuracy of the tourbillon movement, the intricacy of a flyback chronograph with the convenience of a perpetual calendar with leap year indication (Lot 2671, estimate: HK$450,000-700,000/US$58,000-88,000).

Jaeger-Lecoultre presents the Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication model —a technological wonder that combines masterful engineering and innovative design. This important, very fine and very rare 18k pink gold limited edition minute repeating wristwatch made circa 2011 contains an astonishing 527 parts and features three extraordinary complications: sky chart indicator, flying tourbillon and a minute repeater. An example of pinnacle watchmaking, this prestigious model is extremely hard to come by and is highly sought-after. Furthermore, the present lot is in “almost like new” condition and is numbered 8 of a limited edition of 18 examples only (Lot 2313, estimate: HK$800,000-1,600,000/US$100,000-200,000).

Boasting outstanding craftsmanship, cutting-edge looks and a wide variety of complications, timepieces from independent watchmakers have gained much favour from international collectors in recent years. Three such rare gems are prominently featured in the sale, including an extremely fine, important and very rare 18k white gold asymmetrical 25 inclined 24 seconds tourbillon wristwatch by Greubel Forsey. Paying homage to Gruebel Forsey’s third invention with a fast rotating 24 second inclined tourbillon, the present Invention Pièce 3 model combines horological complexity with artistry and contemporary design. The present watch, circa 2010, is numbered 9 in a limited edition of 11 pieces, and features extremely low-density alloys typically used in the aeronautical industry. By allying the alloys with a 25 degree inclined tourbillon, the effects of gravity on the timepiece will be hindered, thus enabling more efficient time keeping (Lot 2462, estimate: HK$1,600,000-2,400,000/US$200,000-300,000).

The two following highlights are respectively from Swiss high-end watchmakers De Bethune and F.P. Journe. The former is a unique, important and extremely fine 18k white gold wristwatch with enamel and hand-engraved dial from the Db25 Imperial Fountain Model, circa 2014. A set of 12 art pieces, the Imperial Fountain series pays homage to the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac and the skills of Chinese imperial artisans. Made in white gold and decorated with blue Grand Feu enamel, the present watch is adorned with the bas-relief of a Ram’s head, which is the zodiac sign of 2015. It is a unique example which has never been offered at auction and is a rare and enthralling marriage of ground-breaking technology and supreme craftsmanship (illustrated left, Lot 2424, estimate: HK$960,000-1,500,000/US$120,000-180,000).

The latter is a very fine platinum ergonomic chronograph wristwatch from from F.P. Journe’s Centigraphe Souverain collection. The watch’s manually-wound mechanical movement comprises 284 components, and can measure elapsed times from a 100th of a second to ten minutes (illustrated right, Lot 2717, estimate: HK$250,000-400,000/US$30,000-50,000).

With classic appeal and intriguing histories, vintage watches are enduring witnesses to the history of horology that have withstand the test of time and are most beloved amongst watch collectors. This season, Rolex takes the centre stage of the vintage section, offering three 1960s Paul Newman models. The first two, one a fine and very rare 18k gold chronograph wristwatch (illustrated left, lot 2497, estimate: HK$640,000-960,000/US$80,000-120,000) and the other a fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet (illustrated middle, Lot 2495, estimate: HK$480,000-700,000/US$60,000-88,000), are both of the Ref. 6239 and made circa 1968.

Ref. 6239 was the very first model of the celebrated Daytona series and the firm’s first chronograph with the tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different colour than the main dial for better readability. The dials of the early models featured only the designation “Cosmograph”, referring to the outer space travels of the early 1960s.  The “Daytona” was added on later series to mark Rolex’s sponsorship of the renowned NASCAR stock car race.

The so-called exotic dials were later called “Paul Newman” dials, named after the actor who was photographed wearing a Ref. 6239 Daytona in a publicity shoot for the film “Winning”. Rolex produced a very small number of Ref. 6239 entirely in gold, as in Lot 2497, and these are particularly appreciated by Rolex aficionados. The iconic Ref. 6241 stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, circa 1967, captivates the heart of all Rolex collectors with its unmistakable case design and signature bezel. Ref. 6241 is the first Daytona reference with black bezel ever commercialized, and the present watch—fresh to the market—is a very rare and fine example of a cream “Paul Newman” dial, a model that has seen increasingly popularity, particularly amongst female collectors (illustrated right, Lot 2496, estimate: HK$800,000-1,600,000/US$100,000-200,000).

A challenging feat of supreme artistry to combine two of the most complex horological complications in a wristwatch, this Patek Philippe Minute Repeating Tourbillon Wristwatch manufactured in 2005 is of great interest to watch collectors. This important, very fine and rare 18k gold Ref. 3939 is fresh to the market and offered here in overall very good condition, standing as a fine example of the brand’s masterful craftsmanship as it comprises a total of 336 parts while housing both minute repeating and tourbillon functions within a small case (Lot 2576, estimate: HK$1,500,000-3,000,000/US$190,000-380,000).

Led by five stellar pieces, bejewelled watches continue to bring dazzle to this season’s auction.  The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, first introduced in 1972 and inspired by the British Royal Navy battleships, has become one of the most recognizable and iconic timepieces in the watch industry. On offer is a particularly rare and important 18k white gold and heavily diamond-set example with chronograph and tourbillon from this collection. Made circa 2010 and complete with mother-of-pearl dial, the watch is set with a total of 478 diamonds weighing approximately 12.90 carats (Lot 2514, estimate: HK$1,600,000-2,200,000/US$200,000-275,000).

This season’s auction marks the very first time that a Patek Philippe Ref. 6104 makes an appearance at Christie’s. This very fine and rare 18k white gold and diamond-set automatic astronomical wristwatch, made in 2012, comes with sky chart, phases and orbit of the moon including time of meridian passage of Sirius and of the moon. Successor of the legendary Ref. 5102, Ref. 6104 elevates the prestige of this rare model with its 38 baguette-cut diamonds to the bezel totalling 4.27 carats and a dial upgrade. This coveted timepiece is in pristine condition and destined to be a “star lot” amongst the Patek Philippe wristwatches (Lot 2722, estimate: HK$1,600,000-2,000,000/US$200,000-300,000).

The Aura is the ultimate in the high-jewellery collection from Piaget. This magnificent and very rare 18k white gold and diamond-set bracelet watch is set with 277 diamonds weighing approximately 71.00 carats, and remains a must-have luxury staple immediately following its launch in 1990. Each stone on the watch is individually cut by hand to fit its exact location in the timepiece. The Aura represents a rare opportunity for the collector to acquire one of the most extraordinary and stunning timepieces in Piaget’s Haute Joaillerie collection (Lot 2633, estimate: HK$1,500,000-2,500,000/US$180,000-300,000). 

Celebrated French jeweller Cartier’s creativity never fails to amaze. Hailed from the renowned Cartier Métiers d’Art limited edition series, this fine and extremely rare 19k white gold and diamond-set tourbillon Rotonde de Cartier wristwatch is adorned with a white agate cameo dial with a crocodile motif and is numbered 18 out of a limited edition of 20. Using the natural gradations of blue and white of the agate, the engraver skilfully captures the expressiveness of the head of body of a crocodile emerging from the water, making this timepiece a true display of artistry in high horology (Lot 2323, estimate: HK$750,000-1,000,000/US$95,000-125,000).

The Academy Christophe Colomb model by Zenith won the “Best Complicated Watch Prize” in the 2011 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève for its technical innovation. A fine and extremely rare 18k pink gold and diamond-set limited edition wristwatch aptly named “Gravity Control”, it aims at keeping the movement of the watch horizontal, irrespective of the wrist position of its owner. In addition, the present piece is in excellent overall condition and is numbered 1 of a limited edition of 25 Genève (Lot 2591, estimate: HK$600,000-800,000/US$75,000-100,000).