The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI takes place on May 13 and 14, at our new Asia headquarters in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The auction includes more than 200 of the world's finest watches; here, our specialists and staffers highlight a few of their favorite watches from the auction.
We're in the thick of the spring auction season. Geneva is now in the rearview mirror, and Hong Kong is rapidly approaching. Our time in Hong Kong this season is extra special this year, as we have a pair of sales spread out over three days: the Imperial Patek Philippe Sale, on May 23, and the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI, on May 24 and 25.
We're focusing on the latter here. Our team of specialists and staffers in Hong Kong, and members of our International Digital Team, have selected a group of their personal favorites from the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI to share with you.
We've got top lots, hidden gems, and everything in between.
Lot 857: A Circa 2003 Kiu Tai Yu Ref. 22
Estimate: HKD $80,000 - 160,000
Jill Chen, Head of Watches, Hong Kong
I find the Kiu style details of the dial, case, crown, even buckle fascinating and the watch is well balanced between Chinese and Western watchmaking designs. The perfect 35 dimension makes the watch looking stunning on wrist. Kiu Tai Yu as an independent pioneer deserves more attentions.
Lot 818: A Circa 2004 A. Lange & Söhne Double Split Sincere Limited Edition
Estimate: HKD $500,000 - 1,000,000
Zi Yong Ho, Co-Head of Sale, Specialist, Hong Kong
What can I say, the double split Lange is a sensational timepiece. A serious mechanical marvel with movement decoration that it’s hard to contest. The aesthetics of the movement is undisputed and with a hefty watch presence on the wrist, this piece is a touch more special, A. Lange & Söhne dedicated a limited edition of 5 platinum double split seconds flyback chronograph wristwatches with beautiful black dials, made exclusively for the Asian market. With “No. 1” proudly engraved on the caseband at 8 o’clock. A truly gorgeous watch in all aspect.
Lot 998: A Circa 2016 Patek Philippe World Time Moon, Anniversary Edition, Ref. 5575G-001
Estimate: HKD $600,000 - 1,500,000
Gertrude Wong, Co-Head of Sale, Specialist, Hong Kong
I have always loved the design of world time by Patek Philippe. Extremely well thought out from functionality to the most important aspect in my opinion, is readability. Every little tweak in size and typography could greatly impact this aspect.
Sized at 39.8mm, the Patek Philippe ref. 5575G is certainly one of my favourite world time, even better, a world time with an addition of a rare moon phase. For me, the magic of it all is the white gold case clashing against the black dial. The visual impact is almost like starring into infinite space, thanks to the ultra-thin disks in the centre that illustrates the craters of the moon, a poetic feat that celebrates the 175th anniversary of the maison. The creative decision of using all sans serif typeface throughout the dial really works for me, not only coherent but also more contemporary compared to its siblings. Featuring my home town Hong Kong within the 24 cities, the cherry on top is having Geneva for this limited edition, which usually would be occupied by Paris. With only 1,300 pieces ever made, this example is double factory sealed and highly collectible.
Lot 1046: A Circa 2003 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5050R-012
Estimate: HKD $250,000 - 500,000
Yunyi Xu, Cataloguer, Hong Kong
The Patek Philippe ref. 5050R is one of those timepieces that captivates me in a heartbeat. Already a fan of the distinguished officer-case ref. 5059, the beauty of the ref. 5050 to me is much more reserved in comparison, but the more you spend time with it the more it reveals its charisma. Exceedingly handsome and understated, this perpetual calendar with retrograde-date boasts a clean and elegant dial with all the charm and class of a traditional Patek Philippe dress watch. With only approximately 150 examples produced in pink gold according to our research, this rare and sophisticated timepiece is certainly a graceful companion to have for any occasion.
Lot 869: A Circa 1965 Tornek-Rayville TR-900
Estimate: HKD $120,000 - 200,000
Jasmine Wai, Cataloguer, Hong Kong
The Tornek Rayville TR-900 is a seminal military-issued timepiece for dive watch collectors. Produced in minuscule numbers for the US Navy's Frogmen in the 1960s, it showcased innovations that presaged the modern dive watch. Most were lost in combat or destroyed post-service, leaving survivors as rare as they are rugged. Where other military watches were purely utilitarian, the TR-900 delivered sturdy elegance with a minimal dial, steel case and hand-finished self-winding movement. The TR-900 represents a pivotal point where military met sporting applications, before soon being replaced by ubiquitous models like the Submariner. To find one today, let alone in collectible condition like the present example, is a veritable coup. Owning a Tornek Rayville TR-900 is like owning a rare piece of history, a watch that represents the pinnacle of military watchmaking and the beginning of a new era in dive watches. In my opinion, it simply doesn't get any more grail-worthy than this for fellow dive watch enthusiasts.
Lot 832: A Circa 2022 Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain RRCC01
Estimate: HKD $1,600,000 - 3,000,000
Arthur Touchot, International Head Of Digital Strategy, Specialist
This catalogue contains a lot of exceptional watches, and I would typically struggle to single out a favourite but the decision is made easy by the auction debut of one of my grails – the RRCC01. Presented by Rexhep Rexhepi five years ago, the Chronometre Contemporain was an unexpected release from the Geneva-based watchmaker, whose collection predominantly featured tourbillon complications in oversized cases. The Chronometre Contemporain presented a different side to Rexhep Rexhepi, a more restrained philosophy of watchmaking coming from a former student of Patek Philippe and F.P. Journe – but still featuring his transcendent finishing. And in my eyes, this is a faultless watch. It’s everything I love : a classically designed profile, reminiscent of the 1950s, a perfect case size (38 mm), a stunning and deceptively clever movement incorporating a hacking-second and zero-reset mechanism, a flawless grand feu enamel dial with a very distinctive and elegant art-deco design. The watch led to Rexhep Rexhepi’s first GHPG award – in the Men’s Category – followed in 2022 by a second award (Men’s also) for the watch’s sequel : the RRCC02. This is a dream watch, from one of the most brilliant and exciting minds in the watchmaking industry.
Lot 987: A Circa 2021 Atelier de Chronométrie ADC#18
Estimate: HKD $320,000 - 470,000
Logan Baker, Senior Editorial Manager
I first heard of Atelier de Chronométrie a few years ago. I was surprised to discover there was a new independent watchmaking firm based in Barcelona, far away from the horological heartlands of Switzerland and Saxony. I’ve been wanting to handle one of the company’s few watches ever since – but they’re extremely hard to find. Atelier de Chronométrie makes no more than 10 watches in any single year – and they tend to end up in the hands of some of the world’s finest collectors. My curiosity has finally been sated after handling the example included in the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI catalog. The verdict? I think it’s absolutely incredible, just a wonderful example of mid-century design combined with some of the most exceptional movement decoration you’ll find on a contemporary watch. Atelier de Chronométrie is still a smaller name compared to the heavyweights of independent watchmaking, but the quality and attention to detail is all there.
You can learn more about and register to bid in the Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVI by visiting our online catalog.
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.
Recommended Reading
The Imperial Patek Philippe: A Short Documentary