Phillips in Association with Bacs &
Russo Announces Highlights For
Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS
The
First Ever Watch Auction Curated by an Asian Collector
Featuring
a Selection of Exceptional Timepieces Encompassing Vintage and Modern Sports
Watches
Evening Sale to Take Place at JW Marriott Hong
Kong on 27 May
Preview: 22 May 2019 | Location: Blackbird
Concessionaires Showroom, Hong Kong
23-27 May 2019 | Location: JW Marriott Hong Kong
PRESS RELEASE
HONG
KONG –24 April 2019 – Following a series of record-breaking sales in Hong Kong
over the last four years, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is
delighted to unveil highlights from its upcoming Hong Kong Watch evening sale, Phillips
& Blackbird: SPORTS. As was previously
announced, Phillips
& Blackbird: SPORTS is the first watch auction of its kind in Asia,
with Phillips partnering with Blackbird and its founder Mr. TK Mak, marking the
first ever watch auction in the world curated by an Asian collector. The
watches of the sale, which are in excellent condition and all of which have
notable provenance, will be sorted into 6 different categories - WIND, AIR,
SNOW, TARMAC, LAWN and WATER.
Taking
place on 27 May, the Evening Sale will feature 82 lots of exceptional sports
watches, including vintage collectors’ watches manufactured by
the world’s most established watchmakers
such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Omega, Richard Mille, and
a Zenith El Primero Flyback prototype made for Felix Baumgartner’s historical
space jump, plus a celebrity watch once owned by Bruce Lee. The catalogue is
available online at Phillips.com/watches.
Please click here for images of
highlights from Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS
Highlights
from Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS
WIND: Timekeeping and the wide-open ocean
Made
in 1966, the present Rolex reference 6240 was the first from the “Cosmograph”
line to be equipped with screwdown chronograph pushers, greatly improving the
water resistance of the watch. While the reference 6240 is already extremely
rare and highly revered to in the market, only an exceedingly small part of the
reference was fitted with “Paul Newman” dials according to various scholarships
and studies. The present wristwatch is offered by the family of the original
owner.
Rolex reference 6240, circa 1966. An
extremely rare, very well-preserved and attractive stainless steel chronograph
wristwatch with black "Paul Newman" dial and screw-down pushers.
Estimate: HKD
1,100,000 - 2,000,000/ USD 140,000 - 250,000
AIR: Air races
and the Jet Age
Destined to inspire admiration and
wonder, this spectacular Rolex GMT-Master with Bakelite bezel epitomizes the
perfect amalgamation of fine artistry and the brand’s ingenious design. An
example of a reference 6542 fitted with its wondrously preserved Bakelite bezel
is extremely rare, as these bezels are very fragile and delicate. With the
original COSC certificate, the present lot offers a now-or-never opportunity
for watch connoisseurs to collect a fine museum-grade timepiece.
Rolex reference 6542, circa 1959. “GMT-Master”, a very attractive, rare
and well- preserved stainless steel dual time automatic wristwatch with date,
sweep center seconds and bracelet, Bakelite bezel, bracelet and COSC
certificate.
Estimate:
HKD 940,000 - 1,870,000/ USD120,000-
200,000
SNOW: Survival in
cold climates
The
only vintage Rolex series to feature a triple calendar and chronograph
complication, the reference 6036 is named after the legendary three-time Olympic
ski champion and Rolex ambassador Jean- Claude Killy, who was often seen
sporting the watch. Ever since its debut in 1951, the “Jean-Claude Killy” 6036
has been considered an icon by collectors around the world. One of the most technically
complex vintage Rolex models ever created, the present lot is preserved in remarkable
condition, accompanied by its original riveted, expandable bracelet, and a hardly-ever-seen
dial featuring yellow gold indexes and hands that contrast beautifully against
the white dial.
Rolex
reference 6036, circa 1951. “Jean-Claude Killy”, a highly attractive and rare
yellow gold split-seconds chronograph wristwatch with stop function,
snail-shaped telemeter and tachymeter scales.
Estimate: HKD 2,000,000 - 4,000,000/ USD
250,000 - 500,000
TARMAC: The affinity between watches and cars
First
introduced in 1955, the reference 6234 “pre-Daytona” was, and is still
considered to be one of the most desired model within the Rolex Oyster
chronograph family. The present lot, with its well-preserved black glossy dial
with tachymeter and telemeter scales, makes it one of the most awe-striking
executions of the reference to appear on the market. Examples of any reference 6234
presented in such excellent condition are few and far between.
Rolex
reference 6234, circa 1960. “Pre-Daytona”, an extremely rare and highly
attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black glossy dial.
Estimate: HKD 2,000,000 - 4,000,000/ USD
250,000 - 500,000
LAWN: Watches for more
than just telling the time
The Patek Philippe reference 2499/100 was launched in 1978
and produced until 1985. It is considered in public consensus to be one of the
most beautiful, impeccable and elegant wristwatches of all time. Due to the
extremely complex technical prowess required, only a total of 120 examples were
created during its production. The present watch is offered in untouched
condition with original box, hang tag, booklets and Extract from the Archives.
Patek
Philippe reference 2499, circa 1980. An exceedingly rare, highly
attractive and important yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch
with moonphases.
Estimate: HKD 3,120,000 -6,240,000/ USD
400,000 - 800,000
WATER: Vital timing below the waves
The
present Rolex reference 6538 is not only all original with the correct dial,
bezel and winding crown; it is also wisely preserved in absolutely stunning condition.
The watch is indisputably a grail-level “Big Crown” Submariner for connoisseurs,
in terms of its quality, historical relevance, and fine aesthetics. Even though
many vintage Rolex Submariners are referred to as “James Bond” watches, only
the reference 6538 with big crown has really been worn by James Bond in movies.
The beauty of the bezel insert perhaps the most impressive aspect of the watch,
with the bright red triangle gorgeously retained, and the pearl atop most
miraculously kept. The watch is furthermore fitted with finely-preserved
stainless steel “Big Logo” bracelet.
Rolex reference 6538, circa 1958. “Submariner,
Big Crown”, an incredibly rare and highly attractive stainless steel wristwatch
with sweep center seconds, black lacquer “four liner” dial, big crown and big
logo bracelet.
Estimate: HKD 3,200,000- 6,200,000/ USD
400,000-800,000
Fearless
Felix and his giant leap of faith
During
Felix Baumgartner’s record-breaking skydive from space in 2012, he wore two examples
of the Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback Striking 10th. Incredibly the watches were
standard production pieces that had been thoroughly tested by Zenith, and their
diligence was proven when the pieces worked perfectly after the jump. The lot
offered here is a prototype of the El Primero Stratos created for Felix. It is an
immense privilege to be able to offer one of these very special test watches,
which formed a part a defining moment of human history. It has been consigned directly
from the manufacturer with a new warranty and strap that was purposely
developed to allow the watch to be fitted over the space suit worn by Felix.
Zenith
“El Primero Stratos Flyback” prototype, circa 2012. An attractive stainless
steel flyback chronograph prototype wristwatch with warranty and presentation
box.
Estimate:
HKD 78,000 - 155,000/ USD 10,000 - 20,000
The
Universal Bruce Lee
Phillips & Blackbird are excited
and honored to present an important memento that was owned and worn by Bruce
Lee— a Polerouter wristwatch from Universal Genève. Verifying the provenance of
the watch, the present lot is accompanied by a letter from the former owner
confirming that the watch was given to his father Herb Jackson as a gift from
Bruce Lee around 1968, and that the watch was previously worn by the
extraordinary master himself.
Universal
Genève Polerouter, circa 1950. A very rare and historically interesting yellow
gold-plated stainless steel wristwatch with sweep center seconds and a letter
of provenance, formerly in the possession of Bruce Lee.
Estimate: HKD 78,000 - 155,000/ USD 10,000 -
20,000
Permission for the use of
any image is granted for timely reporting and auction review purposes only.
Image courtesy of PHILLIPS
###
Phillips Hong Kong Spring Sale 2019
Location: JW Marriott, 88
Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
|
Date |
Auction |
|
26 May |
20th
Century & Contemporary Art & Design Day Sale: 10am |
|
27 May |
Jewels and Jadeite:
2:30pm |
|
28 May |
The
Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT: 12pm |
Phillips & Blackbird: SPORTS Global Preview Tour
|
Date |
City |
|
27- 28 April |
Singapore |
|
3-4 May |
Shanghai |
|
9-10 May |
Geneva Hôtel
La Réserve, 301 Route de Lausanne, Geneva |
|
11-12 May 10am – 4pm |
Geneva |
|
18-19 May |
Taipei |
|
22 May |
Hong Kong Blackbird Concessionaires Showroom, Repulse Bay |
|
23-27 May |
Hong Kong |
ABOUT BLACKBIRD AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
Blackbird Automotive Group is a multi-faceted
automotive and luxury business entity, encompassing publishing, branding and
creative services, together with maintenance and restoration of high-end
automobiles, as well as logistics, transportation services, and professional
race simulator training, alongside acting as the exclusive dealer for Ferrari
in Hong Kong and Macau.
Visit www.blackbird-automotive.com for further information.
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, achieving a sale total of $ 108 million in 2018 – its third
consecutive year as the worldwide market leader in watch auctions.
A selection of our recent
record-breaking prices:
1. Paul Newman’s
Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 (CHF 17,709,894/US$17,752,500) – New
York Auction: Winning Icons – 26 October 2017 – Highest result ever achieved
for any wristwatch at auction.
2. Patek Philippe reference
1518 in stainless steel (CHF 11,020,000 /US$11,112,020) – Geneva Watch Auction:
FOUR – 12 November 2016 – Highest result ever achieved for a Patek Philippe
wristwatch at auction.
ABOUT
PHILLIPS
Phillips is
a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and
design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary
Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers
professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and
exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong,
while clients are further served through representative offices based
throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online
auction platform accessible anywhere in the world. In addition to providing selling and buying
opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers
assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services.
Visit www.phillips.com for
further information.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium;
prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
PRESS
CONTACTS:
HONG
KONG – Ingrid Hsu, Public Relations Director,
Asia Ingridhsu@phillips.com +852 2318 2043
GENEVA
- Asta Ponzo, PR Consultant aponzo@phillips.com +41 799618566
Blackbird
Nicholas
Biebuyck Business Development Director nicholas.biebuyck@blackbird-watchmanual.com +852
2881 6050
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