NEWS

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Announces Additional Highlights from the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII

MasterHorologer

Following the recent announcement of a unique Patek Philippe reference 3448 cased in platinum with sapphire-set indexes, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo presents additional highlights from The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIII, taking place on 27 and 28 November, 2021.

The two-day auction series will feature over 300 lots including important timepieces that are exceptional in terms of provenance, aesthetics, condition, and rarity, hailing from power houses including Patek Philippe, Rolex, Audemars Piguet, as well as from master independent watchmakers such as F.P. Journe, Harry Winston, and Gérald Genta.

Patek Philippe

In addition to the unique Patek Philippe reference 3448 ‘The Blue Royale’, this season Phillips will offer another stunning piece from Patek Philippe – the reference 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch cased in yellow gold from 1949.

Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases
Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, circa 1949. Estimate: HK$2,700,000 – 3,900,000.

The reference 1518 was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch ever produced in series when it was introduced in 1941. According to research, only 281 examples were manufactured in yellow and pink gold until the reference ceased production in 1954.

Rolex

Highlighting the sale is a Rolex Daytona reference 6241 yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial (nicknamed JPS ref. 6241) that has never previously been offered at auction. Reference 6241 was introduced in 1965 with a production spanning just for four years until 1969, and it is among the rarest Daytona models ever produced.

Rolex Daytona reference 6241 yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial
Rolex Ref. 6241 yellow gold chronograph wristwatch, “The French JPS”. Circa 1968. Estimate: HK$ 4,650,000-9,400,000/ US$ 596,000-1,210,100.

Research indicates that less than 300 examples were cased in 18K yellow gold. One of the most desired and visually striking iterations of the Daytona is indeed the present “John Player Special Paul Newman” and it is an exceedingly rare variant of the “Paul Newman” model. In addition, what makes this specimen the ultimate trophy is not only its exceptional preservation, but also the two French gold import hallmarks indicated with the owl symbol and the Geneva Helvetia hallmark stamped crisply on the caseback and lugs.

Besides the JPS reference 6241, an interesting vintage Rolex model in this auction is a Paul Newman Cosmograph Daytona reference 6263 with a panda MK 2 dial displaying “tropical” outer minute track and accompanied by the original warranty.

Rolex Paul Newman Cosmograph Daytona reference 6263 with panda MK 2 dial
Rolex Ref. 6263 stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” dial and “tropical” outer minute track. Estimate: HK$4,000,000 – 6,000,000.

The next highlight is the Rolex reference 16589 SACI fitted with a stunning full paved diamond dial and adorned with 24 baguette-cut sapphires set uniformly on the sectioned bezel. 8 individual sapphire-set hour markers contrast with a modern touch of Arabic numerals.

Rolex reference 16589 SACI
Rolex Ref. 16589 SACI diamond and sapphire-set white gold chronograph wristwatch with baguette-cut sapphire bezel, circa 1998. Estimate: HK$630,000-1,300,000.

Another timepiece of note is a Rolex “Oyster-Split” reference 6265 from 1975 that is preserved in stunning condition.

Rolex Ref. 6265 yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Oyster Split” dial and bracelet, circa 1975. Estimate: HK$780,000 – 1,560,000.
Rolex Ref. 6265 yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Oyster Split” dial and bracelet, circa 1975. Estimate: HK$780,000 – 1,560,000.

Audemars Piguet

The auction will include three remarkable Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches including a reference 15202 cased in white gold and features pavé diamond-set, a perpetual calendar in a black ceramic 41mm diameter case with an open worked dial, as well as a limited-edition Royal Oak perpetual calendar features a highly desirable green Grande Tapisserie dial and a sharp yellow accent week indicator. The present watch is one of 50 examples made for the Hong Kong retailer, Unique Timepieces.

Audemars Piguet Ref. 15202BC.ZZ.1241BC.01 white gold and pavé diamond-set wristwatch
Audemars Piguet Ref. 15202BC.ZZ.1241BC.01 white gold and pavé diamond-set wristwatch, circa 2019. Estimate: HK$1,200,000 – 1,945,000.
Audemars Piguet Ref. 26585CE.OO.1225CE.01 black ceramic skeletonized perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases
Audemars Piguet Ref. 26585CE.OO.1225CE.01 black ceramic skeletonized perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, leap year, week indication, bracelet, circa 2021. Estimate: HK$2,300,000 – 4,000,000.
Audemars Piguet Ref. 26606ST.OO.1220ST.01 limited edition stainless steel perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indication, moon phases, circa 2018. Estimate: HK$800,000 - 1,600,000.
Audemars Piguet Ref. 26606ST.OO.1220ST.01 limited edition stainless steel perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indication, moon phases, circa 2018. Estimate: HK$800,000 – 1,600,000.

F.P. Journe

Launched in 1999, the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Resonance features a spectacular mechanical movement composed of two independent balances alternatively serving as an “exciter” and “resonator”. When in motion, the balances create the resonance effect and beat in opposition, naturally evening out each other’s discrepancies and thus permitting greater accuracy.

F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Resonance, platinum dual time wristwatch with double escapement, power reserve indication
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Resonance, platinum dual time wristwatch with double escapement, power reserve indication, brass movement, circa 2001. Estimate: HK$935,000 – 1,870,000.

The present example in platinum is of the rare and desirable first generation example from 2001, which is highly sought after by watch collectors due to its technical prowess combined with the historical relevance to the heritage of F.P. Journe.

F.P. Journe Vagabondage III, limited edition semi-skeletonized pink gold tortue-shaped wristwatch with digital jump hours and seconds, power reserve indication
F.P. Journe Vagabondage III, limited edition semi-skeletonized pink gold tortue-shaped wristwatch with digital jump hours and seconds, power reserve indication, circa 2018. Estimate: HK$ 390,000 – 700,000.

Introduced in 2017, the F.P. Journe Vagabondage III was the final version of the Vagabondage series, released as a limited edition of 68 pieces in pink gold.

Discontinued in 2019, the present example in pink gold is numbered 17 and is offered in excellent overall condition and furthermore accompanied by the full set of accessories.

Harry Winston

The Harry Winston Opus series was inaugurated with the Opus One by François-Paul Journe in 2001. Antoine Preziuso’s beautiful Opus Two followed the year after. The Harry Winston Opus Two was created in 23 limited pieces in total with 11 of The Tourbillon with Perpetual Calendar such as the present example here.

Harry Winston Ref. 200MTQPAP38, limited edition platinum semi-skeletonized perpetual calendar tourbillon with leap year indication, retrograde day and date indication
Harry Winston Opus Two Ref. 200MTQPAP38, limited edition platinum semi-skeletonized perpetual calendar tourbillon with leap year indication, retrograde day and date indication, hinged caseback, numbered 10 of limited edition of 11, pieces made in collaboration with Antoine Preziuso, circa 2004. Estimate: HK$778,000 – 1,556,000.

Launched in 2003 in collaboration with Vianney Halter, the Harry Winston Opus 3 is one of the most complicated time and date only watches ever produced. The present example in 18K pink gold is numbered 17 of a limited edition of 25 examples in pink gold.

Harry Winston Opus 3 Ref. 520
Harry Winston Opus 3 Ref. 520/MMVHRL, limited edition pink gold wristwatch with digital display of time, date, countdown features, numbered 17 of a limited edition of 25 pieces, circa 2013, Estimate: HK$390,000 – 600,000.

Gérald Genta

Having designed some of the world’s most iconic models for the most established Swiss watch firms, Gérald Genta set out to create his own brand name in 1969.

Encased in an elegant 34mm round-shaped platinum case a with baguette diamond-set bezel, the present Gérald Genta reference G40114 displays the firm’s cal. 210 through its sapphire crystal caseback and skeletonized dial.

Gérald Genta Ref. G40114, platinum and diamond-set skeletonized minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indication, moon phases
Gérald Genta Ref. G40114, platinum and diamond-set skeletonized minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch with leap year indication, moon phases, circa 1990, Estimate: HK$780,000 – 1,500,000.

This Gérald Genta watch features a perpetual calendar function with a minute repeater. Its self-winding movement is fully hand assembled and engraved allowing the wearer to admire the timepiece in all angles. The present example is numbered 1 on the caseband and it is mostly likely a unique piece that was specifically tailored-made for an esteemed collector of the brand.

The Hong Kong Watch Auction XIII

  • Evening Session: 27 November 6pm HKT | Day Session: 28 November 12pm HKT

  • Location: JW Marriott, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong