The Bonhams Hong Kong upcoming Modern Wristwatches Auction to be held on 25 May at the Island Shangri-La Hotel offers the horological aficionado a tempting selection of modern horological models. From the much-venerated Rolex Paul Newman Daytona (HK$380,000 – 500,000) to the sleek Urwerk Mexican Fireleg (HK$220,000 – 320,000), Bonhams Hong Kong aims to fulfill every collector’s desire for technological innovation and fine esthetic micro-engineering. The auction offers 220 lots with a total estimate of HK$16,000,000 – 20,000,000 and promises collecting opportunities for every preference and pocket.
This season’s auction pays homage to the tourbillon. Meaning ‘whirlwind’ in French, the tourbillon was invented in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet to counter the effects of gravity and other forces that affect the accuracy of timepieces. The F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d’Egalité avec Seconde Morte (HK$470,000 – 600,000), A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon Homage to F.A. Lange (HK$1,060,000 – 1,300,000), Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Tourbillon Chronographe (HK$620,000 – 800,000), Glashütte Original Panomatic Flying Tourbillon (HK$330,000 – 400,000), Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Repetition Minutes Tourbillon Globe (HK$1,200,000 – 1,500,000) and last but not least, Richard Mille Perini Navi Cup RM015 (HK$1,000,000 – 1,300,000). This tourbillon line-up by some of the world’s most illustrious watch manufactures is sure to sweep any watch collector of his feet.
Many collectors around the world consider watches as a status symbol as well as an alternative investment. Leading the forefront of this intrinsic allure is Patek Philippe and we are delighted to offer several key statement pieces in Patek Philippe horological development. The limited production Pagoda, Ref:5500 (HK$300,000 – 400,000) that was introduced in 1997 to commemorate the inauguration of the watchmaking facility in Geneva, the chronograph perpetual calendar Ref:3970E (HK$550,000 – 700,000) as well as the slim perpetual calendar Ref:3940 (HK$180,000 – 250,000) that was manufactured only from 1985 until 1988. For the globetrotter, there is the World Time Ref:5110G (HK$170,000 – 220,000) and for the more athletic collector, the Nautilus Ref:5980/1A (HK$230,000 – 320,000) and 3800/5 (HK$150,000 – 200,000) with diamonds. For those who desire the rare and untouched, there is the pristine factory-sealed Gondolo Calendario, Ref:5135P (HK$390,000 – 450,000) platinum and diamond set annual calendar wristwatch with moon phases and 24-hour display.
Pocket watches hold an old world charm with watch collectors – they can be traced as far back as the fifteenth century when they were first created exclusively by skilled craftsman for the wealthy elite. Often, they were decorated with exquisitely fired enamel, entertaining automata or equipped with split second stopwatch functions, such as the many fine examples we are offering this auction season. We are delighted to offer a private collection of 42 pocket watches ranging from the decorative Vacheron & Constantin 18ct rose gold and enamel keyless wind open face pocket watch with fob chain (HK$22,000 – 35,000) to the beautifully complicated Andrew Dickie, key wind pair case open face pocket watch with gilt engraved full plate fusee movement and verge escapement (HK$13,000 – 18,000).
