HONG KONG.- Sam Hines, Sotheby’s Worldwide Head of Watches, commented: “We are pleased to have achieved our highest total for a sale of watches in Hong Kong since Spring 2015. The market for vintage masters remains strong, in particular for Patek Philippe and Rolex Daytonas. We saw collectors compete for rare and unusual watches, while rare contemporary timepieces fresh-to-the-market performed well. We are now looking forward to our Spring auctions in London, Geneva, and New York, as well as our online sale which opens for bidding on 18 April.”

SALE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Vintage masters were led by a Very Important, Extremely Rare and Possibly Unique Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers and Pulsation Dial Ref 1579.
o Sold for HK$8,760,000 / US$1,116,199 (Lot 2906, est. HK$6,200,000 –12,000,000 / US$800,000 – 1,540,000) o One of only seven known in the word, this example is unique.

• Ten Rolex Daytonas 100% sold for a combined total of HK$15,197,500 / USD$1,936,465 (est. HK$9,440,000 – 16,640,000 / US$1,207,600 – 2,136,500).
o Led by a Very Fine and Extremely Rare Yellow Gold Chronograph Wristwatch with Registers and Tropical Minute Track Ref 6264, notable for its ‘Lemon Dial’.

o Sold for HK$5,760,000 / US$733,939 (Lot 2758, est. HK$3,200,000 – 6,000,000 / US$409,000-770,000).

• Exquisite group of 11 vintage Patek Philippe pocket watches from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau periods sold for a combined total of HK$1,766,250 / US$225,056 (est. HK$1,122,000 – 2,000,000 / US$142,965 – 254,840).
o Led by a Yellow Gold, Enamel and Gem-Set Open-Faced Pendant Watch made in 1898 which sold for HK$375,000 / US$47,782 (Lot 2804, est. HK$200,000 – 400,000 / US$25,600 – 51,500).

• Demand for rare and unusual watches, such as the Platinum Tourbillon Minute Repeating Westminster Chimes Wristwatch Ref 789-80, also known as the Genghis Khan, sold for HK$1,562,000 / US$199,094 (Lot 2670, est. HK$1,200,000 – 1,800,000 / USD154,000 – 231,000).