HONG KONG.- Heritage Auctions announced its inaugural Heritage Week — Hong Kong, a series of six auctions and public previews on December 3-10, 2018. In addition to its twice a year World & Ancient Coins and World Currency auctions, and quarterly Fine and Rare Wine auctions, Heritage is debuting Signature® auctions in Hong Kong for Fine Jewelry, Watches & Fine Timepieces, and Designer Handbags & Luxury Accessories.

The public preview will combine jewelry, timepieces and luxury handbags on December 7-9, and three separate auctions will be held December 10; all at the Mira Hong Kong Hotel. Top highlights from each of these three auctions include but are not limited to:

A highly unusual combination of size, Ceylon origin, strength of red-green color change, and no heat enhancement, elevates the Ceylon Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum Pendant-Necklace to rarified air. Typically found in sizes no larger than 5.00 carats, this offering weighs 50.15 carats, and carries a prominent degree of color change between 90-100 percent, further enhancing its value.

The Ceylon Alexandrite masterpiece is joined by another, most important and rare gem, a Kashmir Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, Gold Ring, Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. weighing 4.50 carats. This breathtaking, most valuable of sapphires with Kashmir pedigree radiates a high intensity of color, and boasts no heat enhancement. Crafted by Parisian artist and jeweler Jean Schlumberger, the first designer permitted to sign his designs for Tiffany & Co., only completes this masterpiece’s desirability.

"Heritage is pleased to bring together a selection of some of the rarest known gems and finest designer names to the Hong Kong market," said Jill Burgum, Director of Fine Jewelry at Heritage Auctions. "We have carefully crafted our inaugural boutique auction to reflect the festive color and cheer of the Holiday Season."

The Patek Philippe, Ref. 5970J-001, Unused Single Sealed, Gold Chronograph With Perpetual Calendar, Moon Phases, Tachometer And 24 Hour Indication was launched in 2004, and was produced for just seven years, making it a rarity in all four configurations: yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum. The Ref. 5970 is the last Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph powered by the legendary Lemania movement, which is visible through the back of the case. The yellow gold version offered in this auction is considered the rarest of this extraordinary reference.

A Patek Philippe, Fine and Rare Ref. 4910/51 Twenty4 White Gold And Pave Diamond Ladies Wristwatch Circa 2002 is a dazzling piece with more than 1,400 diamonds with a combined weight of a little more than 8 carats. The bezel around the face, in its classic rectangular form, is set with 116 diamonds, a diamond-set winding crown, a pave diamond set case back fixed with four screws and a sapphire crystal. The dial features pave brilliant diamonds with applied Roman numerals and black baton hands. The case, dial, movement and band all are signed "Patek Philippe."

"This auction represents an extraordinary opportunity to launch collectible timepieces at Heritage Week — Hong Kong," Heritage Auctions Watches & Fine Timepieces Director Jim Wolf said. "This auction is both an important and exciting offering to the many high-end collectors of luxury timepieces in Asia, and presents an array of timepieces that never has been offered there before."

The luxury handbag auction features desirable, one-of-a-kind special-order rarities by Hermès, beginning with the nearly impossible to find 25cm Matte Rose Extreme Alligator Birkin Bag, a vintage masterwork. The exquisite palladium hardware accents an interior finished in Rose Extreme Chevre Leather to create a bag sought after all over the world.

A legendary Sellier Kelly Bag, a 32cm example in Matte Blue Brighton Alligator with Palladium hardware features Hermès’ signature outside stitching. The delicate attention delivers the bold, clean, crisp lines that define the artisanship behind a Sellier Kelly.

"Hong Kong’s fashion-conscious collectors, and even occasional bidders, will experience the best in vintage and contemporary examples from only the top design Houses," said Diane D’Amato, Director of Luxury Accessories at Heritage. "Our Hong Kong debut is centered on a selection of truly rare and extraordinary discoveries."