The PHILLIPS Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXI takes place on 21-23 November 2025, at our West Kowloon headquarters. The auction includes more than 300 of the world's finest watches – and though we are loath to boast, we truly think it's one of the best catalogues we've ever put together. We'll be sharing a number of the most interesting lots and stories featured in the sale right here, including the 10 highlights featured here from "A Gentleman's Collection."
Every watch collection says something about its owner. This one tells a story of discernment and character. Assembled by a true gentleman and connoisseur of fine watchmaking, the 26 watches offered as part of "A Gentleman’s Collection" within the Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXI (lots 902-928) reflect a life lived with curiosity, refinement, and a sense of play.
The ten highlights featured below trace the rhythm of his days. Sporty Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks accompanied morning walks and alpine weekends. Elegant pieces by Naoya Hida and Laurent Ferrier lent quiet sophistication to afternoons spent working or reading. As evening arrived, a discreet Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Söhne, or F.P. Journe took its place under a dinner jacket sleeve – watches chosen for how seamlessly they fit a moment.
Phillips is honored to present this gentleman’s remarkable collection.
Lot 905: A Circa 2017 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'Jumbo' Ref. 15202ST.00.1240ST.01.A in Stainless Steel
Estimate: HKD $290,000 - 570,000
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15202 sits at a fascinating point in the model’s history. Introduced in 2000 as a modern continuation of the original ref. 5402 “Jumbo,” it carried forward the design codes that made Gérald Genta’s 1972 creation so enduring – sharp edges, a slender case, and that unmistakable tapisserie dial. When Audemars Piguet reissued the watch in 2012 for the Royal Oak’s 40th anniversary, they doubled down on the purity of the original design.
Inside beats the legendary calibre 2121, the same ultra-thin automatic movement that powered the Royal Oak since day one. It keeps the profile elegantly slim while offering a quick-set date and a subtle nod to the craftsmanship of another era. Flip the watch over, and you’ll find a sapphire caseback revealing a beautifully finished movement and a skeletonized rotor unique to the ref. 15202.
Earlier versions placed the AP logo at 12 o’clock, but this example returns it to its original position above six – an understated detail that purists will appreciate. The reference was discontinued in 2022, replaced by the new ref. 16202, created for the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary. For collectors, this transition marked the end of a 50-year lineage that directly linked back to the first Royal Oak. This example, preserved in excellent condition, captures the last chapter of that original story.
Lot 907: A Circa 2020 F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain 'Havana' in Platinum
Estimate: HKD $480,000 - 950,000
When François-Paul Journe introduced the Chronomètre Souverain in 2005, it was the first F.P. Journe wristwatch to feature a guilloché dial, framed by the brand’s signature blued steel hands, and it went on to win the “Men’s Watch” prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève that same year.
Inside, the hand-wound calibre 1304 – crafted entirely from 18k pink gold – runs on twin barrels and delivers a 56-hour power reserve, a testament to Journe’s relentless pursuit of chronometric performance.
This particular example stands out particularly for its dial color. The “Havana” edition swaps the traditional silver dial for a warm tobacco-brown tone that feels subtly luxurious. The shade isn’t painted or plated; it’s a blend of gold and ruthenium developed in-house by Les Cadraniers de Genève, Journe’s own dial-making workshop. Set within a 40mm platinum case, the dial’s Clous de Paris hobnail texture, paired with cream-colored hands and numerals, gives the watch an enhanced depth and an easy elegance that lives up to its Cuban nickname.
Complete with its original guarantee, accessories, and an additional platinum buckle, this Chronomètre Souverain Havana remains in excellent condition.
Lot 908: A Circa 2021 Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Limited Edition for Hodinkee in 18k White Gold
Estimate: HKD $180,000 - 250,000
Released in 2021, this Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin was a limited edition of just 20 pieces, born from a collaboration between the independent Geneva watchmaker and leading media platform Hodinkee.
The black opaline dial takes inspiration from classic mid-century wristwatches, but it’s far from a simple homage. The Arabic numerals – using a font developed specifically for this edition – carry a soft, golden tone that warms the otherwise monochrome palette, while the slender pencil-style hands, filled with luminous material, lend a subtle touch of functionality rarely seen in Laurent Ferrier’s dressier models. The coathanger-style seven o'clock numeral is our favorite detail.
The 18k white-gold case retains the brand’s signature Galet silhouette – rounded, smooth, and effortlessly wearable – while the sapphire caseback reveals the in-house calibre LF116.01, finished with matte micro-blasting and dark rhodium plating for a contemporary contrast.
Number 20 of 20, this Classic Origin Opaline “Hodinkee” remains in excellent condition and represents one of the most understated yet collectible collaborations in Laurent Ferrier’s catalogue.
Lot 910: A Circa 2022 Grönefeld 1941 Principia in 18k Pink Gold
Estimate: HKD $190,000 - 380,000
Introduced in 2018, the 1941 Principia marked a milestone for the Grönefeld brothers – their first time-only wristwatch, powered by a fully in-house automatic movement finished and assembled by hand in the Netherlands.
This example, crafted in 18k pink gold, pairs classic proportions with a rhodium-plated dial that plays beautifully with light. Elegant flame-blued Lancette hands sweep across the surface, giving the watch a subtle dynamism and a sense of quiet precision that feels unmistakably Grönefeld.
Turn it over, and the real spectacle begins. The automatic calibre inside features a 22k solid pink gold monobloc rotor with a unidirectional winding system. The bridges, made from stainless steel rather than the more common brass, echo the bell gables that crown traditional Dutch architecture – a tribute to the brothers’ hometown of Oldenzaal. Every surface, edge, and screw head bears the meticulous hand-finishing that has become their signature.
Now discontinued, the 1941 Principia has earned its place as a cornerstone of the Grönefeld collection. Offered in excellent condition with its original warranty and presentation box, this example will resonate with collectors who appreciate independent craftsmanship at its finest.
Lot 911: A Circa 2020 F.P. Journe Octa Quantième Perpétuel 'Boutique Edition' in Platinum
Estimate: HKD $570,000 - 1,150,000
When François-Paul Journe unveiled the Octa collection in 2001, it marked a turning point for the independent watchmaker. For the first time, Journe created a line designed for true serial production – without sacrificing the complexity or character that defined his early work. The concept proved so successful that he soon refined the movement into the automatic calibre 1300.3, equipped with a 22-karat gold rotor and a unidirectional ball-bearing system that winds efficiently while preserving the Octa’s famously slim profile.
The Octa Quantième Perpétuel draws its design cues from earlier Journe creations, such as the Octa Divine, reinterpreting the brand’s signature asymmetry into a balanced quatrefoil display that maximizes legibility. A discreet leap-year indicator circles the center, keeping the dial clean yet informative – a small but telling example of Journe’s approach to calendar complications.
The example shown here is no ordinary Octa. Produced as a limited-production “Boutique Edition,” it pairs a platinum case with a striking blue dial, available exclusively through F.P. Journe boutiques rather than authorized retailers. Access to such pieces is highly restricted – each boutique receives only a handful per year – making them among the most desirable Journe releases.
Lot 912: A Circa 2006 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 3940P-013 in Platinum
Estimate: HKD $240,000 - 480,000
When Patek Philippe introduced the Ref. 3940 in 1985, it was a statement of revival. Emerging from the shadow of the Quartz Revolution, the 3940 signaled Patek’s renewed confidence in mechanical watchmaking. With its slender 36mm case and perfectly balanced dial, it offered something entirely new: a perpetual calendar that felt both modern and timeless on the wrist.
This particular example stands apart for its striking black lacquered dial, confirmed by its Certificate of Origin. The contrast is dramatic – oversized Roman numerals and white obelisk hands stand out against the deep gloss surface, while sunken sub-dials and a two-tone 24-hour indicator add depth and detail. The result is a watch that manages to be stealthy, legible, and beautifully understated all at once.
Inside is the calibre 240Q, Patek Philippe’s first self-winding perpetual calendar movement with micro-rotor. The winding mechanism allows the case to remain slim without sacrificing reliability, offering 48 hours of power reserve and the kind of finishing that made this calibre a benchmark for decades to come.
Offered in platinum and preserved in excellent condition with strong case proportions and crisp hallmarks, this platinum ref. 3940 comes complete with its Certificate of Origin and presentation box. For collectors, it represents one of the most captivating and rarely seen interpretations of one of Patek Philippe’s defining modern references.
Lot 913: A Circa 2007 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 5140G-001 in 18k White Gold
Estimate: HKD $240,000 - 480,000
Perpetual calendars have long defined Patek Philippe’s legacy in complicated watchmaking. When the Ref. 3940 arrived in 1985, it was a fresh design for a new era. The watch traded the “Padellone”-style case of its predecessor for a refined Calatrava profile and introduced a cleaner, more balanced dial layout with three sub-dials, including a leap-year indicator for the first time. The result was a modern classic that remained in production for more than two decades.
In 2006, Patek Philippe introduced the ref. 5140 as the next chapter in that lineage. At first glance, it closely resembles the 3940, but the details tell a different story. The 5140 features a slightly larger 37mm case and a reworked date ring for improved legibility – small but meaningful refinements that enhance everyday wearability while preserving the graceful proportions collectors love.
The example shown here, produced around 2007, comes in 18k white gold with an opaline silvered dial that perfectly complements its understated elegance. Offered complete with its original certificate, solid caseback, setting pin, and winding box, it represents both refinement and value – an ideal perpetual calendar for daily wear and a quietly confident addition to any Patek Philippe collection.
Lot 915: A Circa 2006 Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Ref. 5146J-010 in 18k Yellow Gold
Estimate: HKD $120,000 - 230,000
Introduced in 2005, the Patek Philippe reference 5146 brought a quiet evolution to one of the brand’s most practical modern complications: the annual calendar. It followed the landmark ref. 5035 from 1996 – the very first annual calendar wristwatch ever made – and carried forward its clean, balanced aesthetic. At the time, collectors faced a gap between simple triple-calendar watches and complex perpetual calendars. The annual calendar bridged that divide, offering mechanical sophistication with everyday usability.
The ref. 5146 refined the formula further. Its 39mm Calatrava-style case in 18k yellow gold gives it a traditional profile, but the grey dial of this particular example sets it apart. Most 5146s feature ivory or silvered dials; the grey variant remains exceptionally scarce, with only a handful having surfaced publicly.
This piece comes directly from its original owner, who purchased it in 2006 at the Patek Philippe Salon in Geneva and carefully preserved the original purchase invoice. Appearing now for the first time at Phillips, it represents a rare configuration of one of Patek Philippe’s most versatile modern complications.
Lot 922: A Circa 2023 Naoya Hida NH Type 2C in Stainless Steel
Estimate: HKD $75,000 - 120,000
The Naoya Hida Type 2C shows just how far Japanese independent watchmaking can push classic design.
Crafted in 904L stainless steel – a material more commonly associated with Rolex than with small-scale artisanal production – it gives off a warmer, subtler glow than traditional 316L steel. It’s also far more difficult to machine, a challenge Hida’s team embraced to achieve the sharp, sweeping lines of this third-generation case. The lugs are slimmer and more fluid than before, giving the 37mm case a graceful profile that feels perfectly proportioned on the wrist.
The dial is equally considered. Made from German silver, it features a lacquer-filled chemin de fer minute track and hand-engraved numerals that balance the precision of Art Deco typography with a touch of mid-century practicality – note the open six and delicate serifs. The central section steps down slightly, emphasizing the restrained Naoya Hida logo beneath 12 o’clock. The hands, like everything else here, are executed with care: the hour and minute hands are hand-polished and rounded in profile, while the seconds hand is heat-blued, its tip curving gently toward the brushed minute track.
Inside is the calibre 3020CS, based on the Valjoux 7750 but completely reengineered by Hida to remove the chronograph function. Hidden behind a solid screw-back case, it features a redesigned click mechanism that gives the winding experience a tactile, almost vintage feel.
Produced between 2022 and 2023 in just 20 examples, the Type 2C embodies the rigor that defines Naoya Hida’s work. Offered here in excellent condition, it comes with its certificate and a blue leather strap with ivory lining – a minimalist masterpiece that speaks softly but leaves a lasting impression.
Lot 923: A Circa 2021 A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Automatic 'Blue Series' Ref. 380.028 in 18k White Gold
Estimate: HKD $100,000 - 200,000
Introduced in 2017 as part of A. Lange & Söhne’s “Blue Series,” the Saxonia Automatic joined the Lange 1 and Lange 1 Daymatic in a trio united by rich, deep-blue dials. The effect was immediate – restrained, elegant, and unmistakably Lange.
This example, housed in a 38.5mm white-gold case, features a solid silver dial finished in a refined shade of blue with applied gold markers. The guilloché sub-dial for the small seconds catches light beautifully, appearing slightly darker than the rest of the dial and adding depth to the composition. It’s a study in tone and proportion – understated but full of character.
Power comes from the in-house calibre L086.1, a self-winding movement with a 72-hour power reserve and the kind of finishing collectors have come to expect from Glashütte’s finest: hand-engraved balance cock, gold chatons, and traditional German silver bridges with immaculate striping.
You can view the complete Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXI auction catalogue here.