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Phillips Presents Its Largest Preview in Singapore to Date with Cross-Category Fall Auction Highlights from Hong Kong, Geneva, and New York
Public Preview to be Held at Artyzen Singapore from 17-20 October
Christine Fernando, Regional Representative, Singapore, said: “Reflecting Phillips’ rising profile in Southeast Asia over the past eight years, transactions in global auctions from collectors in the region increased by 345% in 2023 since the company’s launch in Asia in 2015. Phillips has successfully attracted new audiences in Southeast Asia, with nearly 30% of active clients in H1 2024 from the region being new to the company. Southeast Asia is indeed one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions, and Singapore plays a crucial role as a major business hub. We believe the time is right to expand our presence in this vibrant market. By showcasing in Singapore, a broad spectrum of top-quality artworks, jewels and timepieces from worldwide auctions, we look forward to strengthening our relationships with existing collectors and connecting with art and luxury enthusiasts across the region.”
Welcoming collectors and enthusiasts to the preview are Phillips’ management teams and specialists from Hong Kong and Geneva, including Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant, Phillips Watches; Meiling Lee, Head of Modern & Contemporary Art, Asia; Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Watches, Continental Europe & Middle East; Isaure de Viel Castel, Senior International Specialist, Modern & Contemporary Art; Danielle So, Head of Evening Sale, Modern & Contemporary Art, Hong Kong; Gertrude Wong, Head of Sale, Hong Kong, Watches; Tiffany To, Head of Sale, Geneva, Watches; as well as Phillips’ Singapore team, including Sandy Ma, International Specialist, Modern & Contemporary Art; Ziyong Ho, Senior International Specialist, Watches; Cristel Tan, International Specialist, Jewelry, and Christine Fernando, Regional Representative, Singapore.
Highlights on View in Singapore
Modern & Contemporary Art Hong Kong Auctions (25-26 November, Hong Kong)
Phillips’ Modern & Contemporary Art Fall Auctions in Hong Kong are set to take place on 25-26 November. One of the star lots in the Evening Sale, Sanyu’s masterpiece Reclining Nude, with Raised Knee II, from the Collection of Doctor Eric Edwards, Paris, is an exceptional painting by the artist, featuring his most iconic and celebrated subject. The work was acquired by Dr. Edwards from the Parisian dealer and collector Jean-Claude Riedel, a major advocate of Sanyu’s works, and has since resided in his collection for over four decades. As the largest painting of the female form that has remained in a private collection in France by Sanyu, this momentous sale presents a great opportunity for collectors to acquire a work of exceeding importance and illustrious provenance. An acclaimed collector of works by Sanyu, Dr. Edwards once owned some of the most prominent works by the artist sold at auction, including the record-breaking Five Nudes. Created from a late period of Sanyu’s life, the present work shines as an epitome of the artist’s relentless quest into art, his time, and the world. With a boldly exaggerated composition and simplified but powerful linearity, Sanyu breaks away from tradition and convention, seeking new artist expressions whilst bringing Chinese shanshui to reinvent the Western nude.
Other highlights on view include outstanding pieces offered at auction for the first time by French master Pierre Soulages and Chinese artist Liu Ye, and works by Zao Wou-Ki from the collection of the artist's daughter Sin-May Roy Zao.
Reloaded: The Rebirth of Mechanical Watchmaking, 1980-1999 (8 November, Geneva)
On 8 November, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will present Reloaded: The Rebirth of Mechanical Watchmaking 1980-1999, a thematic sale that offers a comprehensive look at the watches that defined the horological landscape of the 1980s and 1990s. Preceded by a challenging era dominated by quartz-powered timepieces, the luxury watch industry experienced a renaissance of mechanical ingenuity in the 1980s and 1990s. During these pivotal decades, watchmakers and brands delved into their craft, producing some of the most
innovative and complex mechanical watches ever created. This auction celebrates these achievements by showcasing unique and iconic timepieces from this remarkable period.
Leading the sale is a unique, first-of-its-kind Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ‘Rainbow’ ref. 16599 in white gold which makes its auction debut after decades in a private collection. Created as a one-off masterpiece in the 1990s, this Rolex features a bezel set with degradé-hued sapphires transitioning from deep red to purple, mimicking the colors of the rainbow. While now recognized as one of the most exclusive Rolex timepieces, this watch was a groundbreaking concept at its creation, unlike anything the market had seen before. Nearly two decades passed before the production series ‘Rainbow’ Daytona was introduced. This watch features a unique rainbow color scheme that is different from all later models. Previously, the market had only seen Zenith El Primero calibre-based Cosmographs with bezels set with a single type of baguette stone, making this piece exceptionally rare.
Other highlights on view include a previously unknown Philippe Dufour Duality and the first wristwatch brought to the market by F.P. Journe.
The Geneva Watch Auction: XX (9-10 November, Geneva)
Taking place on 9-10 November, The Geneva Watch Auction: XX is comprised of over 130 lots, featuring a diverse selection of significant, rare, and desirable timepieces from across the 20th and 21st centuries. The leading highlight is a Patek Philippe ref. 2499/100, one of the best examples to come to auction. First offered in 2015 by its original owner, who had never worn it since purchasing it, the current owner is offering it in the same exact condition close to a decade later. Consequently, the watch is in the same condition as when it left the Patek Philippe workshop in 1980. The watch is further accompanied by an impressive array of accessories, including a second dial, Certificate of Origin, and components. The present example was made in the first year of the series' production and is in superb condition, making it a true trophy piece.
Other highlights on view include A. Lange & Söhne’s unique timepiece: the DATOGRAPH UP/DOWN “Hampton Court Edition, a vintage Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with a “Paul Newman Lemon” dial, Akrivia by Rexhep Rexhepi AK-01 tourbillon monopusher chronograph, and more.
The Geneva Jewels Auction: THREE (11 November, Geneva)
Phillips will present a stunning selection of exceptional jewels in The Geneva Jewels Auction: THREE, taking place on 11 November. The sale will be led by a Burmese ruby and diamond ring weighing 17.97 carats, alongside a 3.24-carat Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ring, internally flawless, type IIb. Additional highlights include remarkable colored diamonds such as a 3.88-carat Fancy Dark Grey Blue diamond, the 1.21-carat Fancy Red diamond known as ‘The Red Miracle,’ a 1.36-carat Fancy Intense Blue diamond, and a 40.54 carat, old European cut Fancy Intense Yellow diamond. The auction will also showcase extraordinary colored gemstones, including a 14.66-carat Cartier Colombian emerald and diamond ring and an 8.04-carat Bulgari Kashmir sapphire and diamond ring, as well as important jewels with exceptional provenance.
TOKI: Watch Auction (22 November, Hong Kong)
On 22 November, Phillips will present TOKI: Watch Auction (TOKI is a noun meaning 'time' in Japanese), the first-ever thematic sale dedicated to the Japanese watch collecting world. The auction offers a comprehensive look at one of the most historically important watch markets, from extraordinary timepieces owned by knowledgeable Japanese collectors to distinct Japanese watchmakers that symbolize milestones in watchmaking history. Japanese watch collectors have significantly impacted global collecting trends, and the combination of excellent maintenance, rarity, and influence makes watches from their collections highly sought after in the auction market. Additionally, Japanese watchmakers are renowned for their innovative approaches and ability to produce high-quality timepieces. The sale also showcases an array of Japanese brands and offers unique pieces by acclaimed Japanese independent watchmakers such as Naoya Hida, Hajime Asaoka, Jiro Katayama, Nayuta Shinohara, and Masahiro Kikuno.
Among the highlights is the Patek Philippe ref. 5016 in platinum. This wristwatch combines the tourbillon, minute repeater, and perpetual calendar within its Calatrava-style case made by Jean-Pierre Hagmann, complete with a moon phase display. Notably, the present example is accompanied by a previously unknown grey Roman numerals dial, the only known example of this configuration that has appeared on the market.
The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX (23-24 November, Hong Kong)
Taking place on 23-24 November, The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX, comprised of over 200 lots, will showcase a wide range of important timepieces from leading brands and independent makers, reflecting the rich history of watchmaking and its spirit of innovation. This season, Phillips is proud to collaborate with The Lavish Attic, one of the leading retailers in Asia of international independent watch brands, to present unique pieces created by talented watchmakers for this auction.
Among the leading highlights is a Richard Mille ref. RM59-01, which embodies the spirit of speed and celebrates the achievements of Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake. Produced in a limited number of just 50 examples, the RM059-01 is designed to be worn under all circumstances, including 100m sprint races at the highest level of competition. The bridges spanning the movement are designed to evoke the claws of 'The Beast,' Yohan Blake's nickname, and embody the colors of his Jamaican homeland. The present lot also comes with a pair of Adidas running shoes signed by Yohan Blake.
The New York Watch Auction: XI (7-8 December, New York)
Taking place on 7-8 December, The New York Watch Auction: XI will feature an impressive selection of rare and important timepieces, including an extremely well-preserved Patek Philippe ref. 1518 perpetual calendar chronograph in 18K pink gold made in 1948, an extremely rare Patek Philippe ref. 5208R-001 pink gold minute repeating perpetual calendar, and a Philippe Dufour Simplicity with 37mm case in 18K pink gold.
Introduced in 1941, the ref. 1518 was the first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch produced by any brand in series, and set the course for Patek Philippe’s dominance in the world of high-end Swiss watchmaking. Scholarship suggests that Patek Philippe produced approximately 281 examples, with the majority in yellow gold, exceedingly rare examples in pink gold, and only four known examples in steel. Returning to the market after 24 years in the same important European collection, the present Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in 18K pink gold is presented in an absolutely impressive state of preservation, clearly very sparingly worn over its 76-year lifespan. Its case retains the strong lug definition, beautifully brushed, polished surfaces, and masculine appeal the reference is known for. Two strong and crisp hallmarks, one at the outer, lower edge of the lug and the second on the side of the case are perfectly defined giving further evidence to its remarkable condition. Likewise, the silver dial shows no signs of ever being restored, with only minor aging evident. ###
Location: Artyzen Singapore, 9 Cuscaden Road, Level 4, Singapore 249719
Opening Hours: 17-20 October, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st-century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning. Visit phillips.com for further information.*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
PRESS CONTACTS: Phillips: Ingrid Hsu, Public Relations & Communications Director, Asia Ingridhsu@phillips.com
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