Since 1979, Antiquorum has been holding auctions in Hong Kong and the result of the April 25, 2021 sale, close to HKD 49 million (approx. CHF 5.7 million), confirms its strong position on the Asian continent.
LOT 127
PATEK PHILIPPE
REF. 5970P PERPETUAL CALENDAR CHRONOGRAPH PLATINUM, FACTORY SINGLE SEALED
Sold: HKD 1,750,000
The auction once again crowned the Patek Philippe name with no less than seven of the top ten lots, including two Ref. 5970P-001 that sold for over HKD 1.5 million (lot 124 and 127), a Ref. 5160G for HKD 1,187,500.00 (lot 119) and a Nautilus Ref. 3712/1A-001 for over HKD 1 million (lot 266).
LOT 248
OMEGA
REF 2915-2 SPEEDMASTER, STEEL
Sold: HKD 1,125,000
LOT 266
PATEK PHILIPPE
REF. 3712/1A-001, NAUTILUS, STEEL
Sold: HKD 1,025,000
Among the results, it is worth noticing that lot 248, an Omega Ref. 2915-2, was sold for almost three times its low estimate at HKD 1,125,000.00. Bids were also brisk for the two historic watches that were presented: Henri-Ernest Bouvier’s chronometer, made by Paul Distisheim, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel (lot 137) found a buyer for HKD 337,500 and the pocket Breguet of Louis-Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815), first Prince of Wagram and Prince of Neuchâtel, (lot 138) went to a connoisseur for HKD 300,000, twice its high estimate.
LOT 137
PAUL DITISHEIM
Historical pocket chronometer offered by the Canton of Neuchâtel in July 1898 for the 50th
Anniversary of the Republic of Neuchâtel (1848-1898); 18K yellow gold and enamel.
Sold: HKD 337,500
LOT 138
BREGUET
Historical pocket watch, quarter-repeater, ruby-set cylinder escapement; “Répétition à ponts, boîte or”; 18K yellow gold.
Sold: HKD 300,000
The highlight of this event was the sale of the Patek Philippe reference 5207 in platinum, for over HKD 10 million, Antiquorum’s highest bid in Asia since 2002 and a world record for this reference. Such a success is an opportunity to look back at the top hammer prices from our Hong Kong office. Actually, this Ref. 5207 is fitted with nine horological complications, including a minute repeater, a leap-year perpetual calendar with moon phases and a one-minute tourbillon regulator. It was delivered in December 2013 to the Sultan of Oman, Qaboos Bin Said (1940-2020). It should be noted that only a few units of this model were produced by the Genevan manufacture and that it is the only example known to date with a platinum bracelet.
LOT 130
PATEK PHILIPPE
Ref. 5207 / 1P-001, minute-repeater, perpetual calendar àguichets (with apertures), leap-year indication, moon phases, AM-PM indication, tourbillon regulator, platinum bracelet; possibly piece unique; platinum
Sold: HKD 10,110,000
Under the hammer of Arnaud Tellier, Antiquorum’s Asia-Pacific Director, a long bidding battle was followed live by thousands of Internet users. In the auction room, telephone biddings were relayed by Antiquorum executives. Giulio De Lucia, Chairmain, Romain Réa, CEO, Julien Schaerer, Etienne Leménager and Connie Siu, respectively Directors of the Geneva and Hong Kong offices, were on the line with important clients from all over the world, Swiss, European, American, Middle Eastern or Asian. After several minutes, the hammer finally fell in favour of Mrs. Siu and her buyer at a price of 8.3 million.
For comparison, a platinum reference 5207 on a leather strap was sold by Antiquorum Hong Kong a few years ago for HKD 5 950 000.- / ~ USD 767 150.- / ~ EUR 559 650.- / ~ CHF 682 500.- (February 22, 2014, lot 238).
LOT 238
PATEK PHILIPPE
REF. 5207 TOURBILLON MINUTE REPEATER PERPETUAL CALENDAR HONEY GOLD DIAL PLATINUM
Hong Kong, Feb 22, 2014
Sold HKD 5,950,000
The importance of the watch presented on Sunday, its rarity and its historical affiliation have therefore attracted the covetousness of the great lovers of Haute Horlogerie.
We have to go back to 1997, still under the hammer of Arnaud Tellier, to find a “millionaire” wristwatch in Swiss francs at Antiquorum in Hong Kong: a Patek Philippe reference 2497 in platinum from 1953 on a platinum bracelet (June 9, 1997, lot 199, sold for HKD 5 850 000.- / ~ USD 757 750.- / ~ CHF 1 088 350.-). At the time, it was the most expensive watch ever auctioned in Asia.
LOT 199
PATEK PHILIPPE & CIE
Geneve, Ref. 2497, made in 1953, sold on 22 octobre 1953
Hong Kong, Hotel Furama Kempinski, Jun 09, 1997
Sold HKD 5,850,000
These wristwatches are nevertheless outdone by an impressive pocket watch from the same manufacture: the “Grande Complication” made for Jean de Gradowski in 1890. This exceptional timepiece, auctioned under the hammer of Osvaldo Patrizzi, the co-founder of Antiquorum, is probably the most complicated watch ever made by Patek Philippe up to 1932 (June 8, 2002, lot 423, sold for HKD 19 600 000.- / ~ USD 2 512 850.- / ~ EUR 2 658 550.- / ~ CHF 3 910 700.-). At the time, it was the most expensive watch ever auctioned in Asia.
LOT 423
PATEK PHILIPPE & CIE
Genève, No. 80897, case No. 204270, made especially in 1890 for Jean de Gradowski.Extremely rare, probably unique, 18K gold Grande Complication
The Ritz-carlton Hotel, Hong-kong, Jun 08, 2002
Sold HKD 19,600,000
In the same sale, a Patek Philippe reference 2499 in yellow gold, with black dial, from 1972, on a leather strap, was also sold for a then record price (June 8, 2002, lot 211, sold for HKD 5 520 000.- / ~ USD 707 700.- / ~ EUR 748 750.- / ~ CHF 1 101 400.-).
LOT 211
PATEK PHILIPPE & CIE
Genève,Ref. 2499, third series, sold on Octo-ber 2, 1972, probably made on special order.
The Ritz-carlton Hotel, Hong-kong, Jun 08, 2002
Sold HKD 5,520,000
To complete this quintet of Patek Philippe watches, we must mention one more exceptional piece that sold for over HKD 5 million. It is a fan incorporating a watch in its handle; a wonderful object attributed to James Cox of London, made around 1780 (October 23, 2011, lot 379, sold for HKD 6 020 000.- / ~ USD 773 750.- / ~ EUR 560 750.- / ~ CHF 690 150.-).
LOT 379
LA COLÈRE D’ACHILLE
Attributed to James Cox, London, made in the late 18 century. Magnificent and extremely rare 20K gold, silver, ivory, enamel, diamond, ruby, emerald and agate-set fan with a watch, Hong Kong, Oct 23, 2011
Sold HKD 6,020,000
This establishes the “Top 6” of the most successful auctions obtained by Antiquorum in Hong Kong.