Press Release

Sotheby's Hong Kong Important Watches Spring Sale To Take Place on 11 July 2020

By Sotheby's

LED BY

Possibly Unique, Rolex Platinum Zenith Daytona With Hardstone Lapis Lazuli Dial

Estimated at HK$4 – 8 million / US$ 500,000 – 1,000,000

ALSO HIGHLIGHTING

The Winning Watch from Ressence Watch Design Charity Competition

An Exceptional Line-Up of Vintage and Contemporary Timepieces

Live Auction: 11 July Public Exhibition: 5 – 10 July

Hall 1, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Sotheby’s Hong Kong Important Watches Spring Sale 2020 will take place on 11 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The flagship auction will offer an impressive line-up of 300 timepieces of various categories, from vintage timepieces to contemporary complications, with pieces from leading brands including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex and F.P. Journe. A major highlight is a unique watch from contemporary independent watchmaker Ressence, the result of the partnership with Sotheby’s on #WatchesAgainstCovid19 design competition, celebrating human values and the dedication of key workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

In the past few months, Sotheby’s Watches has responded to the fast-evolving market and engaged collectors worldwide with innovatively curated sales. First launched in Hong Kong, our brand-new Watches Weekly online auction series was greeted with huge enthusiasm by both discerning and new collectors, demonstrating the remarkable resilience of the watch market. We are confident that the momentum will continue, and we look forward to returning to the rostrum this July.
Sam Hines, Worldwide Head of Watches

TOP LOT OF THE SALE

ROLEX
Cosmograph Daytona, Reference 16516
A Historically Important and Possibly Unique Platinum Chronograph Wristwatch with Lapis Lazuli Hardstone Dial, Circa 1999
Estimate: HK$4,000,000 – 8,000,000 / US$500,000 – 1,000,000

Consigned by a private collector and fresh to the market, this 1999 manufactured Rolex is the only known platinum Daytona with lapis lazuli hardstone dial. It is important to note that this watch has the same reference number 16516 and A serial number, which is consistent with the only other known platinum Daytona sold by Sotheby's in 2018 for USD 871,000.

RESSENCE AND SOTHEBY'S #WATCHAGAINSTCOVID19 DESIGN COMPETITION

RESSENCE
TYPE 1 SLIM “AYRTON & FINLEY”
A Unique Titanium Automatic Wristwatch with Multi-Color Rotating Dial and Day of the Week Indication, Designed by Raymond Ramsden and Ressence, To be sold to benefit The Covid-19 Research Programme of The KU Leuven and UZ Leuven Universities, Made In 2020
Estimate: HK$150,000 – 300,000 / US$18,750 – 37,500, offer with no reserve

In April, independent watchmaker Ressence and Sotheby’s launched a competition to design a unique watch reinterpreting one of Ressence’s latest models, the Type 1 Slim. Selected by Ressence founder Benoît Mintiens, the winning design is a pastel blue watch signed by English father-of-two Raymond Ramsden, which is then manufactured by the brand in order to be offered in the Hong Kong sale. The proceeds will support the Covid-19 Research Programme being run by KU Leuven University in Belgium. More information on the competition and the design please visit here.

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

PHILIPPE DUFOUR
Simplicity
A White Gold Wristwatch, Made In 2011
Estimate: HK$1,600,000 – 2,400,000 / US$207,000 – 310,000

A legend among the world of horology and arguably the greatest living watchmaker, Philippe Dufour has achieved many remarkable accomplishments in his career. Insisting to create watches only with his hands, Dufour’s production number is alarmingly limited and would only produce between 15 to 18 watches per year. One of his most iconic models, the present Simplicity features a case diameter of 34 mm, a true classic size. Unlike most watches where the value is determined by materials and complications utilized, the Simplicity is known for its unprecedented finishing of the movement and the case.

JAQUET DROZ
The Bird Repeater, Reference J031034200
A Limited Edition White Gold and Diamond-Set Minute Repeating Wristwatch with Automation Birds, Hand-Engraved and Painted Mother-Of-Pearl and Onyx Dial, Circa 2015
Estimate: HK$1,600,000 - 2,500,000 / US$207,000 – 323,000

Known for their excellence in traditional decoration as well as its use of automata, Jacquet Droz continued to stay true to its core identity by creating the limited-edition Bird Repeater. Immediately noticeable, the stunning and delicate dial of the watch depicts a family of hand-painted Blue Tits nesting over the scenic valley of the Jura region in Switzerland where Pierre Jaquet-Droz is native to. The dial embodies a total of six different animated elements, a crashing mother-of-pearl water fall representing the second wheel, and seven additional movements represented by the four blue tits and an egg.

PATEK PHILIPPE
LES FAISANS, Reference 1426M-001
A Unique and Extremely Attractive Gilt Brass Solar Powered Dome Table Clock with Cloisonné Enamel, Made In 1995
Estimate: HK$1,000,000 - 2,000,000 / US$129,000 – 258,000

While Dome clocks are often not as well-known as some of Patek Philippe’s wristwatches, they are one of the most collectible products of Patek Philippe. Given the theme “Les Faisans” which translate as pheasants in French, the present Dome clock features three horizontal polychrome cloisonné enamel panels that are decorated with a field of marvellously coloured pheasants standing and soaring against a background of a hazy morning in a summer forest.

ROLEX
Cosmograph Daytona, Reference 6263
A Very Important Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with UAE Quraysh Hawk Dial and Bracelet, Made for Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Circa 1976
Estimate: HK$1,200,000 – 3,000,000 / US$155,000 – 387,000

This is an exceptional piece made upon special request for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Rendered in hand painted polychrome enamel, the desert eagle is an exceedingly rare dial that exhibits the UAE coat of arms at 12 o’clock with the signature of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum proudly signed within the red banner. Above 6 o’clock the Emir’s name is also signed which differs from the other known examples that feature the mark of the Wazarah Ad Difa’a department in the same position. The watch was gifted to the consignor 40 years ago and the watch has been sitting in a safety deposit box ever since.

PATEK PHILIPPE
Reference 3939, The Second Watch Made
A Yellow Gold Minute Repeating Tourbillon Wristwatch with Enamel Dial and Breguet Numerals, Made In 1992
Estimate: HK$1,600,000 - 2,400,000 / US$207,000 – 310,000

Considered as one of Patek Philippe’s greatest grand complications, the reference 3939 is equipped with a magnificently delicate tourbillon and an astoundingly sophisticated minute repeater that chimes with a clear resonance tone. Its white enamel dial is nice and intact, finished with absolute perfection and offered in pristine condition. Furthermore, the present watch bears a movement number ending with 002, indicating that it is the second reference 3939 made for commercial distribution.

PATEK PHILIPPE
Reference 5078
A Platinum Minute Repeating Wristwatch with Black Lacquered Dial, Circa 2016
Estimate: HK$1,600,000 - 2,400,000 / US$207,000 – 310,000

Launched in 2008 the reference 5078 is a superb complication, with the present example featuring an outstanding black lacquered dial contrasting perfectly with the white Roman numerals. The dial is furthermore stylised with a traditional railroad minute track on the exterior ring, with the subsidiary seconds dial having its very own track as well. Its beautifully finished calibre R 27 PS provides an automatic movement with a micro-rotor and empowers a traditional minute repeating function, activated by the slider on the band.

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