Antiquorum Auctioneers [www.antiquorum.com ], the world’s premier watch auctioneer, is looking forward to its next sale of Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces on October 9th in Hong Kong. Collectors will have the opportunity to bid on 458 exceptional watches including a fantastic collection of Patek Philippe timepieces, enamel watches and singing bird boxes. Prior to the auction, clients may preview the watches in Geneva, New York, Shanghai, Beijing as well as Hong Kong.
The highlight of the sale is a Les Freres Rochat gold and mother of pearl singing bird jewel box that belonged to The Empress Josephine. Produced circa 1800, it is a magnificent and particularly rare, gold and mother-of-pearl table jewel box, with singing bird and musical movements. This magnificent piece is accompanied by a fitted plush-lined, tooled and gilt fitted case and two reference books: Automata by Chapuis Droz, 1958 and Antique Automatons, A la Vieille Russie, Inc., loan exhibition, 1950.
Estimate: 1,500,000 HKD – 2,300,000 HKD/ USD 200,000 – 300,000/EUR 150,000 – 230,000
Another extraordinary timepiece being offered is the Patek Philippe ref 130. Produced in 1950, it is a fine stainless steel wristwatch with Breguet numerals, square button chronograph, registers and tachometer.
Estimate: 750,000 HKD -1,200,000 HKD /USD 100,000 – 150,000/EUR 75,000 – 120,000
Also for the Patek Philippe aficionado is the Patek Philippe yellow gold and diamonds “Nautilus,” ref. 4700. Produced in 1984, it is an important, water-resistant, 18K yellow gold and diamonds lady’s quartz wristwatch with an 18K yellow gold and diamonds bracelet with an 18K white gold deployant clasp. The timepiece is set with 84 baguette diamonds (5.33 ct), 16 diamonds (0,21 ct) and 469 diamonds (2.49 ct).
Estimate: 850,000 HKD – 1,250,000 HKD/USD 110,000 – 160,000/ EUR 85,000 – 125,000
Patek Philippe collectors will want to bid on the first generation Patek Philippe ref. 3971 offered in the sale. Produced in 1988, it is an extremely rare, 18K yellow gold wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, perpetual calendar and moon phases.
Estimate: 600,000 HKD -900,000 HKD/USD 80,000 – 115,000/EUR 60,000 – 90,000
Not to be over looked is the Patek Philippe ref. 823/003 unique watch with enamel miniatures on both sides “Chasse à Courre, le Debucher et le Bien Aller” by Madame Bischoff, sold by Gubelin, Lucerne on December 6, 1976. It is a unique and exceptional, 18K yellow gold, hunting cased keyless dress watch, both covers with polychrome painted on enamel miniatures of hunting scenes after Carle Vernet signed M. Bischoff. Accompanying the timepiece, is a Patek Philippe box, original Certificate of Origin, Gubelin sales receipt and information from Patek Philippe detailing the commission of the enamels.
Estimate: 600,000 HKD – 900,000 HKD/ USD 80,000 – 115,000/ EUR 60,000 – 90,000
For the Longines enthusiast, Antiquorum experts are offering a magnificent Longines sculptural watch specially made for the Russian market in commemoration of Russia’s most illustrious naval commander Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov (1744-1817). It was later sold to Longine’s Russian agent, Schwaub in 1911. It is an equally fine and rare, very large, minute-repeating, 14K pink gold and cast silver keyless exhibition-type watch with chronograph.
Estimate: 500,000 HKD – 660,000 HKD/ USD 65,000 – 85,000/ EUR 50,000 – 67,000
The music lover will want to bid on the Christopher Claret music box wristwatch No. 8 with two melodies. Made in the 2000’s, it is a very fine and clever 18K pink gold wristwatch with two-tune, visible cylinder music box movement playing either Strauss’s “Imperial Waltz” or C. Chaplin “Two Little Bootees” at will or on the hour. The watch also features tune selection indication, power-reserve and special dual winding via a single crown.
Estimate: 540,000 HKD -700,000HKD/ USD 68,000 – 90,000/EUR 53,000 – 70,000
Rolex fans will be eager to acquire the Rolex ref. 6241, Paul Newman “Cosmograph Daytona.” Produced in 1968, it is a water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with anti-reflective black tachometer bezel and round button chronograph.
Estimate: 460,000 HKD – 560,000 HKD/ USD 60,000 – 72,000/EUR 46,000 – 56,000
Another Patek Philippe of interest is the Patek Philippe ref. 5450 in platinum. Made in a limited edition of 300 pieces in 2008, this exceptional watch features an annual calendar with pulsomax escapement.
Estimate 480,000 HKD – 600,000 HKD/USD 62,000 – 80,000/ EUR 48,000 – 60,000
Also for the enamel watch collector, there is a Patek Philippe ref. 652/9, retailed by Gubelin with unique enamel miniature “La Cervara” by Suzanne Rohr. Produced in 1963, sold on April 6, 1973, with miniature of Corot by Suzanne Rohr is signed and dated 1969.
Estimate: HK$ 450,000 – 550,000/ USD 60,000 – 70,000/EUR 45,000 – 55,000
Also for the music enthusiast, there is an unsigned yellow gold unique prototype Musical Automaton – “Hong Kong”. Made as a prototype in the late 1990s, it is a musical and automaton, 18K yellow gold and champlevé painted on enamel, self-winding, water-resistant wristwatch.
Estimate: 350,000 HKD – 450,000 HKD/ USD 45,000 – 60,000/EUR 35,000 – 45,000
Auction Previews
Geneva
Wednesday, September 22
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Antiquorum SA
2, rue du Mont-Blanc
1201 Geneva
Tel. +41 22 909 28 50
New York
Friday, September 24
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Antiquorum USA, Inc.
595 Madison Avenue, Fifth Floor
New York, NY 10022
Tel. +1 212 750-1103
Shanghai
Saturday, October 2
10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Antiquorum Shanghai
Room 4106B,
Bund Centre Office Tower,
222 Yan An Road East,
Shanghai 200002, China
Tel.+86 21 6335 1268
Beijing
Monday, October 4
9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The St Regis Beijing
The Parlour, 2nd Floor,
21 Jianguomenwai Dajie,
Beijing 100020, China
Tel.+ 86 21 6335 1268
Hong Kong Preview
Thursday, October 7 & Friday, October 8
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Antiquorum Hong Kong
Suite 704, 9 Queen’s Road Central
Hong Kong
Tel. + 852 2522 4168
Auction
Saturday October 9, 2010
Session 1: lots 1 – 122 at 11 a.m.
Session 2: lots 123 – 458 at 2 p.m.
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
1st Floor, Stork Room, No. 5 Connaught Road Central,
Hong Kong
Tel. + 852 2522 0111 Fax + 852 2810 6190
Next auction 13 & 14 November in Geneva