Previewing The Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction One

The third and final watch auction presented by Phillips, The Hong Kong Watch Auction: One is the first to take place in South East Asia. Held on 1 December, the auction will be presenting some of the world’s rarest timepieces, including histroical pieces made for the region’s most important collectors. Here’s a quick look at some of the higlights:

Patek Philippe, Reference 3450 – Made in 1985
An extremely rare and highly important white gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, leap year indicator, original certificate and presentation box.

Introduced in 1981, the reference 3450 is the successor of the reference 3448, the only difference being the modified leap year indication at 4 o’clock on the dial. In total, 246 examples of the reference 3450 were made, 244 of which in yellow gold cases. Indeed, this example is one of only two made in white gold, the other having been sold at auction in New York, October 1989.

Estimate: $ 1,000,000-2,000,000 USD

Patek Philippe, Stainless Steel Observatory Tourbillon – Made in 1924
An extremely rare and historically important stainless steel open-faced watch with one minute tourbillon regulator awarded the first prize at the Geneva Astronomical Observatory for the timing contest on February 3, 1931 with two tone sector dial, additional yellow gold case, dial, hands and fitted presentation box.

The Stainless Steel Observatory Tourbillon obtained the first prize in the Observatory testing in Geneva in 1931. Only two examples exist. One can be seen at the Patek Philippe museum; the other being this one. Despite its age (the pocket watch is 91 years old), it is in near perfect condition, and was tested only four years ago.

Estimate: $ 503,000-1,030,000 USD

Rolex Day-Date “M. Kubo” Reference 1804 – Made in 1960
An extremely rare and highly important platinum and diamond-set calendar wristwatch with sweep center seconds, black gloss “Swiss” dial and original bracelet.

Several features make this platinum and diamond 1804 Day-Date quite spectacular. As far as we know, it’s the first iteration of a black gloss “Swiss” dial with silver graphics and diamond set indexes at Rolex. But there’s hardly any wear and tear on it. The dial made even more distinct by the signature it bears. Made for “M. Kubo,” it has been signed is almost identical to the Japanese bespoke tailoring service. The platinum President bracelet is original to the watch and stamped 2.62.

Estimate: $ 56,000-75,000 USD

Swiss Pocket Watch – 19th Century
An exceptional and extremely rare pink gold, enamel and pearl-set quarter repeating open face watch made for the Chinese Market

Demand for European pocket watches began to grow in China in the early 18th century, followed by the arrival of elegant models with enamel portraits, pearl-set cases and in some instances highly engraved movements, over the next one hundred years. Phillips will present one of those models, kept in superb condition or “museum quality.” Made for the Chinese market, this pocket watch is just as much a piece of art as it is piece of horological history.

Estimate: $ 44,000-82,000 USD

Photo Credit: Haute Time. For more information, please visit the official Phillips website. Follow Haute Time on Instagram to catch all of the new releases as they happen.