HONG KONG.- Hot on the heels of a record-breaking season which placed Sotheby’s as auction market leader for watches, Sotheby’s commences the second part of 2020 with an exciting live auction in Hong Kong on 9 October. Led by two possibly unique references by Patek Philippe and Rolex, the Important Watches sale will present vintage and modern watches from both heritage brands and independent watchmakers, including Audemars Piguet, Philippe Dufour and F.P. Journe.

Sam Hines, Worldwide Head of Watches, comments, “Propelled by various records set in both contemporary and vintage wristwatches, as well as the outstanding performances of the new auction formats, Sotheby’s has been standing strong as the leader of the watches market in 2020. Riding on this momentum, we are excited to kick start the autumn auction season with this thoughtfully curated sale, featuring only the finest timepieces across a wide variety of brands and categories, in response to the unwavering demands for freshness, quality and rarity among our discerning collectors.”

TOP LOTS

PATEK PHILIPPE, Reference 1436
A possibly unique yellow gold split seconds chronograph wristwatch with original box, retailed by Tiffany & Co., made in 1960 and sold in 1961
Estimate: HK$4,600,000 - 7,800,000 / US$590,000 – 1,000,000
The Patek Philippe split seconds chronograph reference 1436 was first introduced to the market in 1938 and enjoyed continuous production until 1971. Roughly 140 examples were made in yellow gold, pink gold and stainless steel. Arguably one of the most important gold reference 1436 to have ever appeared on the market, not only is the present example one of the 5 known pieces retailed by Tiffany & Co, it is also in an unpolished condition that is as close to original as the market has ever seen before. Still fitted with its original strap and crystal, the watch bears a clear hallmark with Tiffany inventory numbers between the lugs, and features a modern font dial with short indexes and scales that has never been seen before or known in literature.

ROLEX
Cosmograph Daytona, Reference 16528
A possibly unique yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch with lapis lazuli hardstone dial and bracelet, circa 1996
Estimate: HK$4,000,000 - 8,000,000/ US$513,000 – 1,000,000
Consigned by an important private collector and fresh to the market, the present reference 16528 is incredibly rare and most likely a unique example. The watch is the only known example featuring a lapis lazuli hardstone dial with diamonds indexes, as well as the only yellow gold Rolex Daytona to be fitted with a hardstone dial. It is also worth noting that all hardstone dial Daytona in regular production are only ever available with a white metal case and fitted with a leather strap, making the present watch even more desirable.

Gold Daytonas and Daytonas with hardstone dials have seen unprecedented results in Sotheby’s this year, with several records set in the past months, including a record for a Daytona JPS with a reference 6264 sold at US$1.5m and for an automatic Daytona, with a reference 16516 with Lapis Lazuli hardstone dial achieving HK$25.4m/ US$3m in last season’s Hong Kong sale.




ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

PHILIPPE DUFOUR Simplicity, Number 68 A White Gold Wristwatch, Made In 2004 Estimate: HK$2,000,000 - 3,200,000/ US$260,000 – 410,000
The Simplicity perfects the balance between legibility and detail: the hand-guilloched dial and the hand-finished movement exemplifies the modern master’s exceptional technique. The rise of the Simplicity can also be attributed to the enthusiasm of the Japanese market for Dufour watches. To date, over 120 Simplicity Watches have been retailed in Japan. While, over 200 Simplicity watches have been produced in total, with unknown prospects of whether another will be made. With little-to-no publicity efforts from the brand, the Simplicity is as magnificent as it is elusive.

PHILIPPE DUFOUR Simplicity, Number 100 A Platinum Wristwatch, Made In 2005 Estimate: HK$1,600,000 - 2,400,000/ US$205,000 – 310,000
For this model, Dufour crafted two dials: one with guilloché technique and the other with white lacquer. Featuring a smaller 34 mm case in this present example, Philippe Dufour exemplifies his detailed hand-applied craftsmanship, with the radiating wave guilloché pattern and the Dauphine hands decorating the dial along with the Côtes de Genève engraved on the movement. The present watch is in exceptional condition, has seldom been worn and has never been polished. Consigned by an important collector, the watch was purchased some years ago from the collector who bought it directly from Dufour himself.

F. P. JOURNE Tourbillon Remontoir D'egalite, Limited Edition 28/99 A Limited Edition Platinum Tourbillon Wristwatch With Ruthenium Dial And Movement, Constant Force Remontoire And Power Reserve Indication, Circa 2003 Estimate: HK$2,600,000 - 4,000,000/ US$333,000 – 513,000
Officially commenced in 1999 as subscriptions pieces, the Tourbillon Sourverain took inspiration from an early Breguet clock and would feature a remontoire (Constant Force Device) that helps provide an equal amount of energy to the tourbillon, thus resulting in a greater accuracy and amplitude. The present watch is part of a highly sought-after limited edition series and is numbered 28 of only 99 pieces ever made. This limited edition series was finished with ruthenium both on the dial and movement and represents the final stages of the brass movement production of Journe watches.

PATEK PHILIPPE
Reference 5016
A Platinum Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Wristwatch With Retrograde Date, Moon Phases And Leap Year Indication, Circa 2002 Estimate: HK$3,000,000 - 5,000,000/ US$385,000 – 641,000
Produced from 1994 to 2010, reference 5016 combines the three most exemplifying complications in watchmaking: the minute repeater, the perpetual calendar and the tourbillon, and the reference is even further elevated with a retrograde date and moon phases. It was once the most complicated wristwatch ever produced by Patek Philippe, until suppressed by the Skymoon Tourbillon in 2001. Displaying Breguet hands and numerals on the dial, reference 5016 offers tranquility with its phenomenal presentation, with the perpetual calendar indications balanced in a perfect layout.

PATEK PHILIPPE
Reference 5104
A Platinum And Pink Gold Minute Repeating Semi-Skeletonised Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch With Retrograde Date, Moon Phases And Leap Year Indication, Circa 2010
Estimate: HK$3,200,000 - 4,800,000/ US$410,000 – 615,000
Launched within the Grand Complication series in Baselworld 2006, the present half-skeletonised, platinum and pink gold reference 5104 is the peak of the iconic Calatrava model, sumptuously filled with complications of retrograde date, moon phases, perpetual calendar and a minute repeater. Although it is officially half-skeletonised, the visibility of the dial is unobstructed like a full-skeletonised piece due to the use of wafer-thin sapphire-crystal subsidiary dials. The white bold markers on these clear sub-dials, contrasted by black rotating indicators also play a role in enhancing the comprehensibility of the wristwatch. Adding an artistic flair to the flank with the play of chiaroscuro, the present example is beyond a work of art and is retained in excellent overall condition.

ROLEX
Cosmograph Daytona 'Panda', Reference 6263 A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch With Bracelet, Circa 1972 Estimate: HK$2,500,000 - 3,500,000/ US$320,000 – 450,000
Although there are a number of Daytonas from the period that is referred to as the Paul Newman, the present watch reference 6263 “Panda Paul Newman”, featuring an acrylic bezel and screw down crown that would enhance the visual appearance and athletic ambiance of the watch in comparison to similar models such as 6239 and 6265, is one of the most desired and beautiful examples ever made. The present watch is a terrific example with a striking "Mark II" dial based on the configuration and print of the Rolex signature.