Masa's Pastime - TOKI: Watch Auction Hong Kong Friday, November 22, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Masa's Pastime
    Year: Circa 2023
    Movement No: 16’385
    Material: Gilt brass
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 11”’, jewelled
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Gold-plated stainless steel unsigned pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm diameter
    Signed: Dial and movement signed A. Golay-Leresche & Fils
    Accessories: Accompanied by a 18K pink gold pocket watch case, prototype brass wristwatch case, additional bezel, handwritten notes, design sketches and purchasing invoice.

  • Catalogue Essay

    This masterpiece commissioned by Mark Cho features a refinished 5-minute repeating movement from A. Golay-Leresche & Fils from the late 19th century, with the most challenging aspect being the adjustment of the slider by 90 degrees to match modern wristwatches. The new 37mm timepiece is encased in brass, designed in-house and typically used for Masa's Pastime's prototype pieces. Another reason for using this material is that it produces surprisingly good chiming sounds.

    The timepiece is further accompanied by the original 18K pink gold pocket watch case. Before the final product was completed, another case had already been designed and made, but Mark requested changes to the proportions, especially for the bezel, giving it a more convex shape for a pebble-like design.

    Additionally, the original commissioning invoice, handwritten notes, and sketches are included, adding a nice touch to the provenance. As of now, Masa's Pastime is no longer accepting commissions, as they are focusing on their own projects, creating designs and watches under their own name.

    "A repeater is every watch collector's dream and Masa was the first watchmaker to help realize mine. Masa and I selected this particular 100+ year old Golay movement, which came as a complete pocket watch, for the outstanding quality of its sound! We designed the case together over several months resulting in a shape that retains the satisfying, pebble-like qualities of a fine pocket watch. The case is made in brass but my hope was that the watch would be completed in white gold with an engraved chevron detail on the bezel. If the future owner is interested, I would be more than happy to help guide the watch to its completed form based on my original plans." —MARK CHO

Property of the Mark Cho Collection

Σ113

A unique, attractive and unusual gilt brass five-minute repeating wristwatch with small seconds, enamel dial and 19th century A. Golay-Leresche & Fils movement

Circa 2023
37mm diameter
Dial and movement signed A. Golay-Leresche & Fils

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 400,000 
€23,100-46,100
$25,600-51,300

Sold for HK$381,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com

TOKI: Watch Auction

Hong Kong Auction 22 November