Category: NEWS

Christie’s sets global record for the most expensive watch auctioned online

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The recently concluded Christie’s Hong Kong Top Of The Time Watches Online Auction achieved a total sale of HK$65,811,600 (approximately US$8,420,555). The top achiever of this sale was the Patek Philippe ‘SkyMoon Tourbillon’ Grand Complication watch that was sold for US$ 5.8 million / HK $45.4 million, setting the world record for the most expensive watch auctioned online.

Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon, The most expensive watch auctioned online
Lot 111: Patek Philippe, Grand Complications ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’, Ref. 6002G-001, Price realized: HK$45,450,000 / US$5,815,300. The most expensive watch auctioned online.

Alexandre Bigler, Vice-President, Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia Pacific, commented: “The outstanding results established for Watches Online: Top of the Time demonstrate the power of Christie’s online sale platform to present exceptional lots and achieve top prices, on par with our live sales. There continues to be an extremely vibrant market for watches across the world, evidenced through the avid global bidding this sale witnessed, which further cements Hong Kong’s status as an international epicenter for watch collecting. This sale lays a very strong foundation for our Spring Auctions in May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where we look forward to presenting more exceptional timepieces for our esteemed clients and watch enthusiasts.”

Other Top Achievers

Lot 110: PATEK PHILIPPE, Grand Complications, with minute repeating, instantaneous perpetual calendar, single button chronograph, moon phases, leap year and day/night indication, ref. 5208P-001, circa 2015. Price realised: HK$7,812,000 /US$999,541.

Lot 60: GERALD GENTA, Platinum skeletonised minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch, with leap year indicator and moon phases. Price realised: HK$819,000 /US$104,791. Over 5 times over low estimate.

Lot 4: Rolex, Daytona, Ref. 116520 “Mustard” Dial, P series. Price Realised: HKD 693,000.

Lot 2: Rolex White Gold Daytona with Grossular Garnet Rubellite Dial, Ref. 116519. Price Realised: HKD 604,800.

Lot 27: ANDERSEN GENÈVE: Unique 18k white and pink gold wristwatch, case made by Jean-Pierre Hagman, with 21k blue gold dial, tapisserie decorated, art deco hands, historic LeCoultre minute repeater movement from the 1920s, perpetual calendar and leap year indicator inside 6 o’clock hour index, circa 2015. Price realised: HK$352,800 /US$45,141. Over 7 times over low estimate

Lot 72: JAEGER LE-COULTRE, 18k pink gold wristwatch, with reverso tourbillon and power reserve, limited to 500 Pieces. Price realised: HK$352,800 /US$45,141. Over 2 times over low estimate.

Lot 3: Rolex White Gold Daytona with Dark Grey Dial, Ref. 116509.Price Realised: HKD 302,400.

Lot 5: Rolex Yellow Gold Daytona with Golden dial and diamond-set hour-markers, Ref. 16528. Price Realised: HKD 302,400.

Lot 56: Dewitt Academia Tourbillon Force Constante, Ref. AC.8003.20.M118 (limited to 25 pieces). Price Realised: HKD 302,400.

The Geneva Sessions II Online Watches Auction by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo – Highlights

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Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has announced a selection of highlights from the second online auction curated by Phillips’ Watch department in Geneva. Phillips Watches Online: The Geneva Sessions II consists of more than 50 lots, featuring everything from an F.P. Journe tourbillon to a Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph.

The sale will offer creations from independent makers like Czapek & Cie and Daniel Roth, as well as desirable limited-production watches from well-known names, such as A. Lange & Söhne, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin and Rolex.

This sale follows the remarkable results achieved following Le Concours de Complexité: Single Owner Online Auction in Hong Kong, which was 100% sold and achieved HK$ 23,562,80.

Bidding opens on 9 March at 10am CET and will close on 16 March at 4pm CET.

Phillips Watches Online: The Geneva Sessions II – Highlights

F.P. Journe, Tourbillon Souverain, TN

F.P. Journe originally introduced his inaugural Tourbillon Souverain in 1999, featuring a game-changing remontoire system. His concept was brought to a whole new level with the innovative addition of a deadbeat seconds in 2003, resulting in the Tourbillon Souverain TN Remontoire d’Egalité avec Seconde Morte.

F.P. Journe, Tourbillon Souverain, TN

The present example is an early-production example from 2004. It boasts a rare combination of a 40mm platinum case with an 18k pink-gold dial and movement. Estimate: CHF 150,000-300,000.

Patek Philippe, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, Ref. 5970P-001, Factory Seal

The reference 5970 was Patek Philippe’s final perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch series to feature a Lemania base calibre 2310.

 

Patek Philippe, Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, Ref. 5970P-001

Fresh to market, factory sealed, and accompanied by its original accessories, the present example was crafted in 2010, the reference’s final year of production. Its replacement (ref. 5270) was introduced in 2011 with Patek Philippe’s in-house movement. Estimate: CHF 120,000-240,000.

Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Chronograph, Ref. 26331IP

Produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces, this Royal Oak Chronograph was released in 2017 to celebrate and pay tribute to the model’s 20th anniversary.

Luxurious and sporty, the model was released in an unusual combination of titanium and platinum. Estimate: CHF 30,000-60,000.

A. Lange & Söhne, Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen

Released in 2016, this Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase Lumen is part of a limited edition of 200 pieces. All sharing a common trait, the Lumen series features a transparent smoky grey sapphire dial with luminous material.

The smoky gray sapphire dial allows UV rays to pass through the luminous components on the dial and to light up maintaining clear legibility. Estimate: CHF 40,000-80,000.

Daniel Roth Monopusher Chronograph

After working at Audemars Piguet and Breguet, Daniel Roth created his eponymous brand in 1987 and is considered one of the earliest modern independent watchmakers.

Daniel Roth Monopusher Chronograph

Launched in the early 1990s, this monopusher chronograph is fitted with a vintage Lemania ébauche from the 1930s. Only 36 were made in yellow gold like the present example. Estimate: CHF 20,000-40,000.

Rolex Daytona platinum with diamond indexes

Launched at Baselworld 2013, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116506 marked a milestone for the iconic model as it was released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Daytona. It was the first Daytona to use a platinum case as well as the first to feature the company’s proprietary Cerachrom alloy for the bezel material.

Rolex Daytona platinum with diamond indexes

The present watch is fitted with baguette diamond indexes on the ice blue dial. It comes with all its original accessories such as guarantee, product literature, and presentation box. Estimate: CHF 70,000-140,000.

Czapek & Cie., Antarctique Passage de Drake, Roaring Forties

It is the first Czapek & Cie. timepiece to appear at Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo. This special edition Antarctique sport watch is part of a limited run of 40 watches to feature a grey “Roaring Forties” dial.

Czapek & Cie., Antarctique Passage de Drake, Roaring Forties

Introduced in 2020, the Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Roaring Twenties borrows its sport-chic case design from the Antarctique Terre Adélie line. Estimate: CHF 10,000-20,000.

Online Auction: 9 – 16 March 2023
More information: https://www.phillips.com/watches

Holthinrichs Watches to Discontinue the Production of Ornament 1 and RAW Ornament Models

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Netherlands based watch brand Holthinrichs announces the full stop of production of Ornament 1 and RAW Ornament models to allow for new creativity.

In 2016 Michiel Holthinrichs introduced the Ornament 1 watch featuring an unprecedented skeleton case design created by smart implementation of state of the art 3D metal printing. This model laid the foundation of Holthinrichs watch brand.

Holthinrichs Ornament 1 with Salmon​​​​​​​​ Dial
Holthinrichs Ornament 1 with Salmon​​​​​​​​ Dial

In 2018, the company launched two major innovations. With a solid 3D printed gold version of the Ornament 1 Holthinrichs brought the world’s first 3D printed solid gold mechanical timepiece to the market, soon followed by the introduction of “Horlogerie Brut” as a new concept in watchmaking.

The Holthinrichs RAW Ornament watch showcased a sculptural and textural design in which extensive manual finishing is contrasted with a selective use of raw textures directly derived from the printing process. It represents an unconventional combination as a direct result of a new way of thinking about production and implementing new technologies.

The RAW Ornament also featured the brand’s first ventures into handmade, artisanal movement finishing, enabling Holthinrichs to process the highly tectonic design concept through down to the finest components of the watch.

Holthinrichs has now decided to terminate the production of these models to fully focus its creativity on new exciting developments.

The Ornament 1 and RAW Ornament watches can be ordered on Holthinrichs website until May 1, 2023. After that, the brand will stop accepting new orders for these models. The Dutch atelier is also working on one last farewell edition, which is soon to be announced.

The Art of F.P. Journe Live Auction by Christie’s Geneva, 12 May 2023: Highlights

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Christie’s is presenting a live auction of 40 F.P. Journe timepieces at Four Seasons Hotel Des Bergues, Geneva, on 12th May 2023.

It is the largest thematic auction of F.P. Journe watches to date. Amongst the emblematic references offered at this stand alone live auction are a platinum Tourbillon Souverain with superb jade dial; a superb example of the ‘Pré-Souscription’ platinum Chronomètre à Résonance; the iconic Centigraphe Souverain with “Ferrari red dial”; a platinum Octa Calendrier with mother-of-pearl dial; a Chronomètre Souverain Dubai edition; as well as an ultra-light titanium Octa ‘LineSport’ with stunning deep blue dial.

The Art of F.P. Journe Live Auction by Christie’s Geneva

The Art of F.P. Journe Live auction, on 12 May, in Geneva, presents a unique opportunity to acquire a timepiece by one of the most important independent watchmakers of today.

This collection will be on tour to selected international Christie’s locations before being exhibited at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva in the lead up to the auction.

The Art of F.P. Journe Live Auction: Highlights

F.P. Journe Platinum Tourbillon Wristwatch with Jade Dial, Power Reserve, Constant Force Remontoire, Dead Beat Seconds and Platinum Bracelet, Tourbillon Souverain Model, No. 754-TN, Circa 2018

F.P. Journe Platinum Tourbillon Wristwatch with Jade Dial

This platinum F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain with a solid platinum bracelet boasts a superb jade dial. Only a few examples exist of this reference. Estimate: CHF500, 000-1,000,000

F.P. Journe Platinum Dual Time Chronometer Wristwatch with Resonance-Controlled Twin Independent Gear-Train Brass Movement, Pink Gold Dial and Power Reserve, Chronometre A Resonance ‘Pre- Souscription’ Model, Case No. 040/00R, Circa 2000

F.P. Journe Platinum Chronometre A Resonance 'Pre- Souscription' Model with Pink Gold Dial

When launching his brand, F.P. Journe introduced a ‘subscription’ model, with 20 of his closest friends and clients committing to purchase timepieces made under his name with the resulting Souscription Tourbillon numbered 1 to 20.

F.P. Journe Platinum Chronometre A Resonance 'Pre- Souscription' Model with Pink Gold Dial

Shortly after, the Chronomètre à Résonance was produced, and F.P. Journe reserved the initial 20 numbers for those clients who had previously subscribed, offering them the opportunity to acquire a Souscription Résonance with matching engraved numbers. The auction will offer an early example of the ‘Pré-Souscription’ platinum Chronomètre à Résonance.

Estimate: CHF500,000-1,000,000

F.P. Journe Platinum Ergonomic Chronograph Wristwatch with 100th of a Second, 20th Seconds, 10- Minute Registers, Red Chrome Dial And Platinum Bracelet, Centigraphe Souverain F Model, Formula Jean Todt Edition, No. 096-CT, Circa 2010

F.P. Journe Platinum Centigraphe Souverain F Model, Formula Jean Todt Edition

This Centigraphe Souverain platinum ergonomic chronograph wristwatch with 100th of a second, 20th seconds, 10-minute registers, has a red chrome dial and platinum bracelet. Only available upon special request, this “Ferrari red dial” edition of the Centigraphe Souverain unites the worlds of high horology and motor sports.

Estimate: CHF400,000-600,000

F.P. Journe Platinum Limited Edition Automatic Annual Calendar Wristwatch with Retrograde Date and Black Mother-of- Pearl Dial, Octa Calendrier Model, No. 281- Q, Circa 2006

F.P. Journe Platinum Octa Calendrier with Black Mother-of- Pearl Dial

This highly exclusive platinum Octa Calendrier is one of only 15 pieces made for the prestigious Singaporean retailer ‘Sincere Fine Watches’ with a black mother of pearl dial. Rarely available at auction, the offering of this piece provides collectors with the rare opportunity to obtain an example of this automatic annual calendar. Circa 2006.

Estimate: CHF150,000-250,000

F.P. Journe Platinum Limited Edition Wristwatch with Green Dial, Chronometre Souverain Model, No. 64/99-CSD, Circa 2021

F.P. Journe Platinum Chronometre Souverain with Green Dial

Signed F.P. Journe, this exclusive and distinctive platinum limited edition wristwatch with green dial is one of only 99 examples of the Chronomètre Souverain produced in 2020 to celebrate the opening of F.P. Journe’s first Dubai boutique (on October 30th, 2019).

Estimate: CHF60,000-120,000

F.P. Journe Titanium Octa ‘Linesport’ Automatic Wristwatch, Limited Edition of Only 8 Pieces. Circa 2019

F.P. Journe Titanium Octa ‘Linesport’ Automatic with blue dial

Possibly one of the rarest and most attractive versions of F.P. Journe’s ultra-light titanium Octa ‘LineSport’ automatic wristwatches, this blue dial model was made in a highly exclusive and very limited edition of only 8 pieces. Probably, this is the first blue dial Octa LineSport to come to international auction to date.

A portion of the sale result of this watch will be donated to “Only Watch”, benefitting the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies, for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Circa 2019.

Estimate: CHF60,000-120,000

Christie’s Hong Kong Top of The Time Online Auction, 10 -20 March 2023: Highlights

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Christie’s Hong Kong is hosting a meticulously curated online sale from 10th to 20th March this year, offering timepieces by the world’s most prestigious horology Maisons, including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex and Cartier.

Patek Philippe Grand Complications ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’ Ref. 6002G-001
Patek Philippe Grand Complications ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’ Ref. 6002G-001, Estimate: HK$28,000,000-45,000,000

With a total low estimate of HK$40 million, the Top of The Time auction is aiming to achieve the highest sale total to date for an Online watches sale at Christie’s, with Patek Philippe Ref. 6002G being the most valuable timepiece to be offered in any online auction at Christie’s Asia.

Patek Philippe Grande Complication Ref. 5208P-001
Patek Philippe Grande Complication Ref. 5208P-001, Estimate: HK$5,500,000-9,500,000

The auction by Christie’s Hong Kong will offer 110 lots. Among them are two of Patek Philippe’s greatest masterpieces, each one an exemplar of the five most complicated wristwatches ever made by the Geneva Maison: the incomparable and magnificent 12-complication Ref. 6002G ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’ with blue champlevé and cloisonné enamel dial; and the exceptional self-winding ‘Grande Complication’ Ref. 5208P Minute Repeater single-button chronograph with perpetual calendar.

De Bethune Invests in REUGE, the Manufacturer of Mechanical Music Boxes

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Swiss luxury watch manufacture De Bethune has announced a majority investment in REUGE, the renowned producer of music automaton.

Founded in 1865, REUGE is a world leader in the manufacturing of mechanical music boxes and music automaton. Just like De Bethune, this prestigious mechanical artistry atelier is based at Sainte-Croix in Switzerland.

De Bethune and Amr AlOtaishan, representative of the proprietor family and current CEO, confirm the signature of this alliance, under which De Bethune will acquire a majority position in the Reuge manufacture.

Together, the two Sainte-Croix-based companies will expand their technical vocabulary, developing synergies to accelerate the renewal of art mechanics.

Amr AlOtaishan, will continue to be a steward of the brand, serving as a strategic advisor and member of the REUGE board.

Bausele Watches, Official Race Partner of the 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, Present Bausele Pro Am Cup Winners with a Unique Prize

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Australia based premium watch brand Bausele inaugurated its partnership with the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour on the occasion of the famous racing competition’s 2023 edition.

Bausele was the official watch partner of the 2023 event, sponsoring the highly competitive Pro-Am class within the race. Winners of the Bausele Pro-Am Cup received a bespoke Bausele watch made specifically for this prestigious event of the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour.

Bausele LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour Watch

The crown of each Bausele watch contains fragments of the iconic white rock that forms the infamous ‘Mount Panorama Bathurst’ sign. This way, beyond a beautiful timepiece to memorialize the moment, the winners will forever carry with them a part of Mount Panorama at their wrist as well.

Bausele LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour Limited Edition Watch

During the 2023 edition of the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour (from 3rd to 5th Feb), the brand provided an ample opportunity to experience their incredible timepieces and even purchase them on site.

Bausele – which stands for Beyond Australian Elements – was founded in 2011 by Christophe Hoppe out of his passion for Australia and an extensive background in the Swiss watch industry.

Australia’s first premium watch brand with Swiss Made quality, Bausele has since become globally recognised with sales in more than 40 countries and collaborations with the Sydney Opera House, Royal Australian Air Force, US Army among others.

Bausele LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour Limited Edition Watch

Also for sale at the event were 100 Bausele limited edition watches celebrating the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour. Inside each crown are elements of tyre rubber marbles from the GT3 race cars that raced on the mountain. The watches were available for pre-order from BAUSELE® Official Store on the Bausele website.

Bausele Pro-Am Cup

The Bausele Pro-Am Cup is an intrinsic part of the Bathurst 12 Hour race, and strong competition kept the 2023 edition as exciting as ever. Pro-Am races, with teams composed of professional and amateur race car drivers, are at the core of GT3 racing around the world.

Bausele LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour Limited Edition Watch

In 2022 Pro-Am combinations featured in outright contention with the SunEnergy1 Racing quartet of Kenny Habul, Martin Konrad, Jules Gounon and Luca Stolz claiming victory. Before that, Grove Racing claimed the Pro-Am Cup in 2020 finishing 10th outright in their Porsche 911 GT3R.

This year, making a great comeback, the three Australians Chaz Mostert, Fraser Ross and Liam Talbot won the Pro-Am category in their Audi R8 LMS. A growing number of entries had registered for the 2023 Bausele Pro-Am Cup, which bodes well for another year of strong competition in the GT3 ‘race within a race’.

Bausele LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour Limited Edition Watch

The LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour is proudly supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Shane Rudzis, Event Director for LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour, said:

“We are thrilled to have Bausele as our official watch partner and as the key partner of the Pro-Am Cup in 2023.

Much like the Bathurst 12 Hour itself, Bausele is a great and uniquely Australian product but with a global outreach and audience. Both feature high quality, precision engineering and make for beautiful objects that many people desire, so for us it’s a match made in heaven.

The Bausele Pro-Am Cup winners received a unique timepiece dedicated purely to the event. It is a very special award, not seen anywhere else and it underlines our effort to ensure Pro-Am competitors have a great experience.”

Christophe Hoppe, founder of Bausele Watches, said:

“We are very excited to come on board as a partner of the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour. The synergies between this great event and our brand company are just perfect. Our premium quality Swiss Made watch brand and the quality of the cars at the 12 Hour are very much aligned.”

We are proud to work with the Bathurst 12 Hour and design a very special, exclusive Pro-Am Cup winners watch that will carry a part of Mount Panorama, the iconic home of Australian motorsport, within it.

We look forward to working with the Bathurst 12 Hour for many years to come and developing these iconic watches that will become part of the DNA of the event as a very rewarding, money-can’t buy Pro Am Cup winners watch for the gentlemen drivers and their teammates.”

Hublot and Takashi Murakami Launch a Collection of 13 Unique Watches and 13 Unique NFTs

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In collaboration with Takashi Murakami, Hublot presents thirteen new NFTs and thirteen unique timepieces featuring the iconic smiling flower that is central to the Japanese artist’s work.

At an exclusive event which took place at the Glass House in New York on February 2nd, Hublot and Takashi Murakami announced their fourth joint artistic project: the launch of thirteen new NFTs and thirteen unique timepieces.

Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow
Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow

This announcement represents a continuation of past projects, by rewarding the first buyers of the watches and collectors of the first NFTs through an exclusive approach.

Hublot NFTs

The thirteen unique NFTs are inspired by Japanese video games & TV from the 1970s as well as the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black, the first collaboration between the Swiss watchmaker and Takashi Murakami launched in January 2021. These NFTs are linked to a limited edition of 13 new and unique Classic Fusion watches that will be at Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva.

Takashi Murakami
Takashi Murakami

Twelve of these watches will be available for purchase exclusively online on hublot.com, which can only be accessed by owners of at least one of the 324 NFTs issued in April 2022 as part of the third collaboration between Hublot and Takashi Murakami.

These 324 NFTs were originally offered to owners of one of the two Hublot x Takashi Murakami watch models (Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black & Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow), before they were allowed to be exchanged on the decentralized NFT trading platform, Open Sea.

The period between the announcement of the project in New York in February 2023 and the start of sales in early April 2023 in Geneva will allow any collector interested in one of the new watches to collect one of the NFTs available on Open Sea.

Each buyer lucky enough to purchase one of the 12 new unique watches will receive a corresponding exclusive NFT.

Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow

The 13th watch of the collection, unveiled in New York, is the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow and it is also the master piece.

Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow

Taking inspiration from the two previously launched pieces, this watch reinterprets the iconic emblem of Takashi Murakami: the smiling flower. Here, the 12 petals of the flower form a perfect gradient of rubies, sapphires, amethysts, tsavorites and topaz.

Thanks to an ingenious ball-bearing system developed by Hublot’s engineers, the petals create a dizzying spectacle of colour as they spin on an axis with each movement. The kinetic effect of the petals creates a striking effect against the 45mm black ceramic case. The center of the smiling flower is placed on top of the sapphire glass to create a three-dimensional effect.

Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow

The twelve other references, which will be available for purchase by holders of the NFTs on the dedicated ecommerce platform, recall the master flower and represent one of the petals. Twelve references for twelve hours on the dial, and twelve NFTs.

Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow

The heart of the watch beats with the manufacture Unico calibre set in the emblematic Classic Fusion design, a unique movement that offers a 72-hour power reserve.

Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow

As the second step, collectors will then have a period of one year during which they will have the opportunity to trade the twelve NFTs on the Open Sea platform.

In April 2024, at the end of this period, only the collector who has managed to collect all 12 of the new unique NFTs will be eligible to purchase the thirteenth and most sought-after watch: the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow.

In the event that no single person has managed to gather all twelve NFTs, the watch will be auctioned by Hublot to raise funds for charity.

Technical details

Model: Hublot Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow
Reference 507.CX.9099.RX.TAK23

Edition
Unique piece

Case
Satin-finished and polished black ceramic
Diameter: 45 mm
Thickness: 13.45 mm
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Case-back: Polished black ceramic
Bezel: Satin-finished and polished black ceramic
Glass: On top the polished smiling 3D flower head, set with 103 colored gemstones

Dial
Microblasted rhodium-plated
Rotating décor with 12 petals set with 384 coloured gemstones

Movement
Unico Manufacture, self-winding
Frequency: 4 (28’800 A/H)
Power reserve (hours): 72
Number of components : 256
Jewels: 30

Strap
Black lined rubber
Black-plated stainless steel deployant buckle clasp

Jaeger-LeCoultre Presents the Collectibles, a Capsule Collection of Emblematic Vintage Pieces

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Swiss luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre presents The Collectibles, a new programme for collectors and enthusiasts who wish to acquire a piece of history from La Grande Maison. Introduced to coincide with 190 years of the Manufacture, it will form part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s ongoing offer.

The Collectibles

The Collectibles presents a meticulously curated collection of rare and sought-after timepieces that represent high-water marks for both Jaeger-LeCoultre and 20th-century watchmaking.

Over time, a continually evolving selection of timepieces will be available to purchase through The Collectibles on jaeger-lecoultre.com and in the form of capsule collections that will travel around the world.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Mariner Deep Sea (1968)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Mariner Deep Sea (1968)

Every Collectibles timepiece is presented with an extract from the Jaeger-LeCoultre archives, a new watch strap and a complimentary copy of The Collectibles coffee-table book. In addition, when available, the original box and papers, and original strap or bracelet will be included.

Every piece offered through The Collectibles is thoroughly vetted by Jaeger-LeCoultre’s historical experts and fully serviced and restored by the specialised watchmakers of the Manufacture’s restoration workshop.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Shark Deep Sea (1969)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Shark Deep Sea (1969)

Currently numbering 10 experts, the restoration team can go through the Manufacture’s archives and find the blueprint of every piece ever made, and in some cases also find a stock of original spare components. If there is no component to hand, there is a stock of some 6,000 swages or stamps that they can use to make an identical component from scratch. Because the Manufacture is fully integrated, the entire process can be carried out in-house.

While the mechanical restoration may, in some cases, be significant, the intervention on the case and dial must be kept to a minimum, since too much world would alter the historical nature of the piece for collectors; therefore, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Heritage team seeks watches that are as close as possible to their original condition.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Polaris II (1970)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Polaris II (1970)

The Collectibles Coffee Table Book

The Collectibles coffee-table book covers the period from 1925 to 1974. It highlights 17 of the most significant models produced by the Manufacture during this ‘golden age’ of 20th-century watchmaking. Shining the spotlight on the pioneering spirit that has always driven La Grande Maison, the roll-call of ground-breaking innovations includes timepieces such as the Reverso, Memovox, Futurematic and Geophysic.

A full chapter is devoted to each of the 17 models, providing an encyclopaedic history and including essential data for collectors supplemented by detailed and informative photography, and copies of historic documents from the Manufacture’s archives.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Speed Beat GT (1972)
Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox Speed Beat GT (1972)

This is the first time such detailed information on these key 20th-century models has been brought together in a single volume, written by the experts within La Grande Maison.

Besides providing indispensable data for collectors, The Collectibles book offers history aficionados a broader understanding of the evolution of the modern mechanical watch over the course of half a century.

JLC Memovox Snowdrop (1972)
JLC Memovox Snowdrop (1972)

With background stories that place the watches in the historical and cultural context in which they were born, the book brings a fresh perspective to the way that watchmaking responded to the momentous social changes that occurred during the 20th century and the role played in that evolution by the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.