Hong Kong – L’asta “Important Watches Autumn Auction 2014” di Christie’s andrà in scena domani 26 novembre 2014, con un totale di 542 orologi in offerta e un valore stimato pari a HK $ 98000000 / $ 12,6 milioni, la vendita presenta una superba serie di orologi di altissima caratura. Oltre a pezzi dalla rinomata fama, l’asta presenterà una serie di creazioni all’avanguardia da parte di marchi indipendenti di tutto il mondo. Inoltre, i collezionisti saranno lieti di trovare importanti orologi da tasca.
Patek Philippe ha a catalogo tre orologi da polso moderni eccezionali tra i punti forti della stagione. A guidare il trio, il Ref. 5074 in oro rosa realizzato intorno al 2011 quadrante nero. Prodotto in piccole quantità, esemplari in oro rosa sono estremamente rari da trovare. Ampiamente considerato un classico contemporaneo, questo Patek non è mai stato indossato, né tolto della confezione originale. La sua notevole esclusività rappresenta una grande opportunità per i collezionisti di tutto il mondo (Lot 2374, stima: HK $ 3,8-5.000.000 / US $ 480,000-620,000).
Due lotti notevoli riguardano Patek Philippe Ref. 5950 e il Ref. 5101. Il primo è un cronografo split seconds estremamente raffinato e raro con numeri Breguet, del 2013, è un modello classico per la funzione split (stima HK $ 2,5-4.000.000/US $ 320,000-500,000). Mentre il secondo, del 2006, è un raro cronometro rettangolare in platino rattrapante con 10 giorni di riserva di carica (stima HK $ 1,3-1.800.000 / US $ 160,000-230,000).
La sezione orologi d’epoca di questa stagione include quattro capolavori di cui due Patek Philippe. La Ref. 1579, un cronografo estremamente raffinato e raro del 1945 circa (stimato US$ 200,000 – $ 300,000); l’altro è la Ref. 3448, un calendario perpetuo con bracciale in oro 18k automatico con fasi lunari (stimato US$ 110,000-160,000). Poi sono da evidenziare due Rolex, il “Milsub” creato per la British Royal Navy, Ref. 5513/5517, del 1975 e il “Killy”, un cronografo con triplo calendario, Ref. 6036, del 1953.
Parlando di Rolex è da sottolineare tra i moderni uno splendido “Saru” GMT Master II in oro 18k con diamanti, rubini e zaffiri al lotto 2627 Ref. 116758 del 2006 (stima US$40,000-60,000).
Hong Kong – Christie’s Hong Kong Important Watches Autumn Auction 2014 will be staged on 26 November 2014. with a total of 542 watches on offer and estimated at HK$98 million/ US$12.6 million, the sale features a superb array of timepieces of the finest calibre. Apart from top-notch minute repeating, perpetual calendar, tourbillon and split seconds chronograph wristwatches from the world’s leading blue chip brands, the auction will also present a string of cutting-edge creations of the globe’s foremost independent makers. In addition, collectors will be delighted to find notable pocket watches featuring tourbillon and automata mechanisms, as well as some of the most lavishly jewelled watches ever manufactured.
MODERN WATCHES BY PATEK PHILIPPE
Patek Philippe, one of world’s most renowned watchmakers, continues to take centre stage in Christie’s Hong Kong watch auction, with three exceptional modern wristwatches among season’s highlights. Leading the trio is a Very Fine, Rare and Important 18K Pink Gold Automatic Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch. In addition to its exceptional minute repeating function, this present Patek Phillippe Ref. 5074, made circa 2011, features moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication on a black dial. Manufactured in small numbers only, Ref. 5074 was launched in yellow gold in 2001 and was discontinued in 2006; pink gold examples are extremely rare to come by. Widely considered a contemporary classic, Ref. 5074 is hugely popular amongst collectors as it incarnates the strengths and wonderful acoustics of Patek Philippe minute repeaters.
According to research by Christie’s specialists, the present lot is one of the very few known examples with highly sought-after Arabic numerals on black dial, and marks the first time that a pink gold example has come to auction. Fresh to the market and still factory sealed (meaning it has never been worn, nor taken out of its original packaging). Its remarkable exclusivity presents a great opportunity for collectors worldwide (Lot 2374, illustrated right, Estimate: HK$3,800,000-5,000,000 / US$480,000-620,000).
MODERN WATCHES
Two other notable lots are a Ref. 5950 and a Ref. 5101. The former, an Extremely Fine and Very Rare Stainless Steel Cushion-Shaped Split Seconds Chronograph Wristwatch with Breguet Numerals, circa 2013, is a classic model for split function. While the latter, manufactured circa 2006, is a Fine and Rare Platinum Rectangular Tourbillon Chronometer Wristwatch for Split Seconds or Rattrapante Chronograph function with 10 Day Power Reserve.
Lot 2523. Patek Philippe. An Extremely Fine and Very Rare Stainless Steel Cushion-Shaped Split Seconds Chronograph Wristwatch with Breguet Numerals, Original Certificate and Box. Signed Patek Philippe, Geneve, Ref. 5950, Circa 2013
Estimate: HK$2,500,000-4,000,000 / US$320,000-500,000
Lot 2241. Patek Philippe. A Fine and Rare Platinum Rectangular Tourbillon Chronometer Wristwatch with 10 Day Power Reserve, Original Certificate and Box. Signed Patek Philippe, Geneve, Ref. 5101, Circa 2006
Estimate: HK$1,300,000-1,800,000 / US$160,000-230,000
This section is highlighted by three exceptional pieces, each from an industry heavyweight, including Audemars Piguet, Hublot and A. Lange & Söhne.
INDEPENDENT WATCHMAKERS
Combining outstanding craftsmanship, unique looks and a wide variety of complications, independent watchmakers continue to garner admiration among collectors with their horological creations. An ultra-light model that was specifically created for its namesake Spanish tennis star, the Rafael Nadal RM027 Model (Lot 2719, illustrated left, Estimate: HK$3,200,000-4,800,000 / US$400,000-600,000), circa 2011 is from Swiss brand Richard Mille. This Fine and Very Rare Titanium and Carbon Composite Limited Edition Skeletonised Tourbillon Wristwatch weighs only 19 grams, and belongs to a limited edition of 50 pieces, of which the current lot is no. 2.
RM027 is named as one of the world lightest watch to ever be made. The alloy used here is also applied in aerospace on the Airbus A380, helicopters, rockets, satellites as well as in Formula 1 racing cars. Initially conceived by Mille for Nadal to wear during tennis games, the model was therefore designed to be light, extremely shock-resistance and comfortable to play tennis with. Having made countless appearances on the champion player’s wrist in top-level tennis matches, RM027 has proven itself to be a delicate marvel that’s also capable of handling the shock of a professional sport.
VINTAGE WATCHES
Meanwhile, from another Swiss high-end watchmaker, Greubel Forsey, comes a Very Fine, Important and Very Rare Platinum Asymmetrical 24 Seconds Inclined Tourbillon Wristwatch with 72 Hours Power Reserve, Tourbillon 24 Seconds Incline Model, No. 53, circa 2013.
Revered watchmakers Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have been working together for nearly two decades in a relationship founded on their shared technical creativity and quest for perfection. In 1999, they began working on a new generation of tourbillons designed to improve the timekeeping of mechanical watches. Four years later, they unveiled Greubel Forsey and stunned horological aficionados with their innovation and excellence.
The present lot is complete with leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging, and a Greubel Forsey Extrait du Grand Livre and Certificat de Grand Service. This certificate is valid during six months following the date of acquisition of the watch at Christie’s, offering the new owner a free servicing of the watch in Greubel Forsey’s workshops.
Another notable lot is a Fine, Rare and Unusual Platinum and Diamond-Set Tonneau-Shaped Wandering Hour Wristwatch from F.P. Journe Vagabondage Model, circa 2004. This season’s vintage section is highlighted by four classic masterpieces, including two Patek Philippes—one is an Extremely
Fine and Very Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch, Ref. 1579, circa 1945 (illustrated on page 1, HK$1,600,000 – $2,400,000 / US$200,000 – $300,000), and the other is a Bracelet Watch, Ref. 3448, circa 1970. Rolex wristwatches also offer two important wristwatches, the ―Milsub‖, an automatic Wristwatch Made for the British Royal Navy, Ref. 5513/5517, circa 1975 and the ―Killy‖, a Triple Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch, Ref. 6036, circa 1953.
BEJEWELLED TIMEPIECES
Led by five dazzling Cartier ―Le Cirque Animalier‖ watches, an array of bejewelled timepieces bring the bling to the sale. The bejewelled lady’s watches of Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier were first created in 2008. As they were all produced in limited editions, the watches are highly coveted and notoriously difficult to obtain. Exceptionally, on offer in this sale is the entire initial collection made in 2008, which depicts three endangered animal from Asia – the Panda, the Tiger and the Elephant. Also featured here are the Turtle watch from the 2011 collection and the Dragonfly watch from the 2012 collection. Each piece in this spectacular quintet of stunners is estimated to worth HK$320,000 – $480,000 / US$40,000 – $60,000, and is truly a work of art in its own right that transcends the dimensions of time and fashion.
Other top lots in this section consist of a Cartier wristwatch with three rotatable dials, a Piaget lady’s 18k white gold and diamond-set tonneau-shaped bracelet watch, a Vacheron Constantin white gold and baguette diamond-set limited edition chronograph wristwatch with black dial and an automatic dual time wristwatch signed by Rolex. This Rolex watch with GMT- Master II ―Saru‖ Model is made in 18k gold and set with diamonds weighing approximately 10 carats, rubies weighing around 1 carat and sapphire weighing approximately 1 carat, giving it its ―Saru‖ nickname.
meridianae 