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 highlighting a number of the most interesting lots and stories featured in the sale right here, including the watches highlighted by our specialists below.
For the upcoming Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXI auction, we took our typical Specialists’ Picks series in a new direction.
Instead of choosing their personal favorites, each team member surprised a colleague with a watch they thought the other would love – and we filmed it. No scripts, no rehearsals. Just honest reactions between friends and experts.
Gertrude Wong & Yunyi Xu
Gertrude Wong, Head of Sale, Specialist
Yunyi Xu, Cataloguer
Gertrude surprised Yunyi with the Patek Philippe Ref. 2597/1 “Australian Pink Travel Time”, a 1961 example in 18k pink gold and the first and only known pink gold example with a Gübelin retailer signature on the dial. It appears in the catalogue as Lot 993 with an estimate of HKD $2,000,000 – 4,000,000.
Yunyi matched that energy with a circa 2013 Patek Philippe Ref. 5950A-001 Split-Seconds Chronograph in stainless steel, fresh to market and one of only 17 examples known. It is catalogued as Lot 980, estimated at HKD $2,000,000 – 4,000,000.
Alvin Lau & Jonathan Siu
Alvin Lau, Specialist
Jonathan Siu, Specialist, Phillips Perpetual
Jonathan selected for Alvin a 1997 Vacheron Constantin Mercator Ref. 43050 in 18k pink gold, made in a limited run of 30 pieces to mark the 1997 Hong Kong handover. “1 July 1997” is inscribed along the edge of the dial, and the design features a Chinese junk boat between the wandering-hour hands. The watch is Lot 854 in the catalogue, estimated at HKD $250,000 – 450,000.
Alvin chose for Jonathan a 1989 Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 3971 in 18k yellow gold, featuring a doré dial. It is one of just two confirmed examples in either the ref. 3970 or ref. 3971 series with an original doré dial, confirmed by its Certificate of Origin. The watch appears as Lot 998 in the catalogue, estimated at HKD $4,000,000 – 8,000,000.
You can view the complete Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXI auction catalogue here.