Vintage Patek Philippe
This season’s sale will satisfy all the highly complicated Patek Philippe collector’s finest taste, with an extraordinary selection of Patek Philippe timepieces, with highlights including:
The elegant and timeless designed reference 2438/1 in yellow gold is one of the world’s first perpetual calendars with center seconds. Only 35 examples of references 2438/1 in yellow gold were produced and the present lot preserved in beautiful condition with the large case, made by the well-known case producer Wenger is not only superb and rare but it remains to date the only Patek Philippe vintage perpetual calendar with a screw down caseback making it a jewel of choice in any collection.
Launched in 1981, reference 3450 was the successor to reference 3448 - Patek Philippe's very first automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch. While aesthetically similar to reference 3448, it most notably features a leap year indicator on the dial. Patek Philippe produced very limited quantities of reference 3450, typically casing the model in yellow gold. The present 3450 manufactured in 1985, is among the very last examples of reference 3450s ever made making it an extremely high collectible vintage Patek Philippe, and it has been preciously kept by the owner for over a decade
Vintage Rolex
Hailing from the 1960s, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 6239 was a breakthrough for the acclaimed Swiss powerhouse. Initially launched in stainless steel, yellow gold examples were introduced a few years later in the late 1960s offering to the market a luxurious version of the famed reference. The present example is a true revelation, as it combines all the rare elements. Encased in yellow gold, the serial number in between the lugs indicate a 1.9 million serial from circa 1969. Furthermore, it is fitted with a rare and attractive champagne “Paul Newman” dial that has aged naturally to harmoniously match the hue of the case.
Other notable vintage Rolex timepieces from the sale including a reference 6236 in stainless steel, generally referred to as the "Jean-Claude Killy", named after the three-time French Olympic ski champion, who was often seen wearing a model 6236 like the present timepiece and it remains the most complicated movement ever made by Rolex. And an extremely rare GMT-Master reference 16750 made for the Royal Oman Police Force, which is one of four examples known in the market.
Vintage Panerai Collection from a Single Owner
Phillips offers an extraordinary Panerai collection from a Japanese collector who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the brand. In the past 40 years, the collector was able to discover and acquire the rarest models made by the Florentine brand. This year Panerai celebrates the 70th anniversary of its flagship Luminor collection, one of the present Luminor reference 6152/1 featuring a prototype rotating bezel is one of only four known in the world. Another reference 6152/1 featured in the sale was published on the cover of a Japanese watch magazine in 1992. This watch was also presented on the inside of the magazine as part of an extensive 16 pages long article about Panerai and their history which was crucial for Panerai. Another highlight from the collection is the GPF 2/56, the first serially produced Panerai watch completely developed and manufactured in-house by G. Panerai & Figlio in Florence. All dive watches distributed by Panerai prior to the GPF 2/56 were Rolex Oyster watches which Panerai equipped with their own dials. GPF refers to Guido Panerai & Figlio while 2/56 was a code for second product development in 1956.
Modern Patek Philippe
Leading this season’s Hong Kong Watch Auction is a Patek Philippe reference 5372P-001 (illustrated page 1) features a blue sunburst dial offering in absolute pristine “like new” overall condition. Extremely impressive, the perpetual calendar single button split-seconds chronograph timepiece features for the first time in the lineage a single button chronograph on top of all the other complications featured in the timepiece. Furthermore, it is the first time that the present reference is being offered at a Phillips auction.
One of the most exclusive Grand Complication references released in recent times, the Patek Philippe reference 5104 features two of the firm’s most celebrated complications, the perpetual calendar and the minute repeater. The reference is unlike any other that came before, exuding a contemporary appeal through its transparent sapphire dial, which allows the wearer to admire the mechanically impressive movement architecture. Extremely rare and complicated, the reference was launched in 2007 and discontinued in 2013, with less than 100 examples produced in total.
Richard Mille
Richard Mille launched the RM022 in 2010, adding an additional function GMT together with the tourbillon function. Since then, it has been re-released different time as a limited edition for various markets as well as various special materials. RM022 also known as ‘Aerodyne’ because of the use of aerospace materials. The baseplate with the ‘honeycomb’ pattern is cut out and created by a special material called orthorhombic Titanium aluminide for its extremely strong property and being lightweight as well. The present lot is made specially for the European market by Richard Mille, limited edition to 10 pieces and it is the first time publicly available in an auction market.
