HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s Hong Kong Important Watches Spring Sale 2019 will take place on 3 April at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Led by an exceptionally rare and highly important Patek Philippe Reference 2499 First Series, the auction also features unique and important timepieces from the leading names in horology, including Vacheron Constantin, Cartier and Piaget, as well as distinguished independent watch makers including Philipe Dufour and George Daniels. Other highlights include magnificent clocks by renowned brands, complicated pocket watches and a selection of delicate lady’s watches.

Sam Hines, Worldwide Head of Watches, comments, “Testament to the fast-expanding watch auction market, the Hong Kong auction comes hot on the heels of a strong and successful year of sales in 2018 at Sotheby’s, which are up nearly 57%. For the upcoming sale in April, we have carefully assembled a wide range of fine and rare watches to suit every collector, from the connoisseur searching for an exceptional piece, to watch lovers seeking to build on to their collection or enhance their personal style. Led by one of the world’s best Patek Philippe Reference 2499, many of the watches on offer are fresh to the market including the Philippe Dufour Simplicity and the George Daniels Millennium.”

TOP LOT OF THE SALE

PATEK PHILIPPE Reference 2499, First Series, A Highly Important And Historically Interesting Yellow Gold Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch With Moon Phases And Vichet Case, Made In 1951 Estimate: HK$8,000,000 – 16,000,000 / US$1,020,000 – 2,040,000
This exceptionally rare and highly important reference 2499 first series is an outstanding wristwatch and potentially the only one of its kind. Completely original, this example is considered to be one the best first series ever made in yellow gold and is in pristine condition. Originally discovered at auction 17 years ago, it has been kept in the same important private collection ever since.

INDEPENDENT WATCH MAKERS
Watches by George Daniels and Philippe Dufour rarely come to the market, thus having a Simplicity and Millennium wristwatch on offer in the same sale is an exciting event. Both completely fresh to the market and preserved in a very fine condition, these extraordinary timepieces will appeal to collectors and connoisseurs alike.

PHILIPPE DUFOUR Simplicity, A Platinum Wristwatch With Two-Tone Dial, Circa 2009 Estimate: HK$1,200,000 – 2,400,000 / US$153,000 – 306,000
As one of the most iconic modern watchmakers of all time, Dufour’s long list of accomplishments is highlighted by the introduction of the legendary Simplicity in 2000. Inspired by the traditional watchmaking methods in the Vallée de Joux, the Simplicity is anything but simple: hand engraved bridges and polished curvatures on the case, guilloche wave patterned silver dial together with the pink gold hands and numerals, as well as the hand-finished movement in the back – all manifest Dufour’s search for perfection. With only 200 examples created, the rarity and elegance of Simplicity make it the ultimate interpretation of fine and traditional Swiss watchmaking.

GEORGE DANIELS Millennium, A Very Rare And Fine Yellow Gold Automatic Centre Seconds Wristwatch With Date And Daniels' Slim Co-Axial Escapement No Mgrs 00 Millennium Made In 2000 Estimate: HK$1,500,000 – 2,500,000 / US$192,000 – 319,000
Recognised as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century, George Daniels devoted nearly his entire life in hope to redesign mechanical watches. Made in 2000, to celebrate the dawn of the new millennium, the present watch is one of 47 examples produced in yellow gold, and has remained virtually unworn since it was acquired by noted pocket watch collector, former Chairman and Chief Executive of Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Lord Sandberg.

MAGNIFICENT CLOCKS

CARTIER LE TEMPLE CHINOIS AU DRAGON , A Unique And Magnificent Yellow Gold, Platinum, Silver, Diamond, Emerald, Enamel, Onyx, Jade, Malachite, Rock Crystal, Jasper, Obsidian, Sodalite, Moss-Agate, Coral, Mother-Of-Pearl And Citrine-Set Electric-Powered Automata Mystery Clock, Made For The Chinese Market, Manufactured In 1989 Estimate: HK$2,500,000 – 5,000,000 / US$319,000 – 640,000
Cartier is renowned for their magnificent clocks and objects made of the finest materials known to man. Inspired by the famous magician, JeanEugene Robert-Houdin, master clockmaker Maurine Couet created the mystery clock for Cartier in 1912. Still celebrated today, the clock is based on a clever optical illusion, whereby the hands appear to be magically floating with no connection to the movement that is situated to the base of the timepiece. The ingenious clock is activated by pressing the auspicious animal, thereby opening the temple door and illuminating the dial. A result of 6,000 hours of work, the clock is composed of various fine materials including gold, platinum, diamond, emerald, and mother of pearl.

PATEK PHILIPPE Les Tigres, Reference 1454, A Unique And Extremely Attractive Gilt Brass Solar Powered Dome Table Clock With Cloisonné Enamel, Made In 1997 Estimate: HK$1,200,000 – 2,000,000 / US$153,000 – 255,000
With the theme “Les Tigers” confirmed on the Certificate of Origin, the 3 horizontal polychrome cloisonné enamel is decorated with a field of vibrant orange and black stripes coloured Tigers standing gloriously against an open field of green grasses and mud orange colour ground. In exceptional condition and fresh to the market, this dome clock is a fine example of the quality and expertise that is inherent at Patek Philippe and is now part of the brand’s DNA.

COMPLICATED POCKET WATCHES

PATEK PHILIPPE Reference 844, A Fine And Rare Yellow Gold Openface Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Watch With American Calendar Display And Moon Phases, Retailed By Chronometer Beyer, Zurich, Made In 1977 Estimate: HK$950,000 – 1,400,000 / US$121,000 – 179,000
The reference 844 attracts not only pocket watch collectors but also wristwatch collectors. One can easily identify the very crisp case lines that are very reminiscent of the perpetual calendar automatic wristwatch. Introduced in 1965 and available for the next 40 years, it is estimated that there was only 80 pieces made.

PATEK PHILIPPE Reference 767, A Possibly Unique, Fine And Very Rare Yellow Gold Openface Perpetual Calendar Minute Repeating Split Seconds Chronograph Watch With Moon Phases, Movement Made In 1922 And Cased In 1959 Estimate: HK$1,200,000 – 2,000,000 / US$153,000 – 255,000
The reference 767 is extraordinarily rare with only 7 examples known. Consigned by a highly important collector, no other example with this case design of a reference 767 can be found, rendering this watch a possibly unique example.

LADY’S WATCHES

CARTIER Panthère, A White Gold, Diamond, Emerald And Onyx-Set Bangle Watch, Circa 2006 Estimate: HK$950,000 – 1,600,000 / US$121,000 – 204,000
Lavishly embellished with diamonds weighing approximately over 35 carats, this watch is an exquisite piece of art. By striking a dynamic balance between feminine design and precise craftsmanship, it not only features Cartier’s iconic Panthère through a bangle, but also presents an immensely rare and remarkable decorated pavé-set diamond case, with emeralds and onyx used to depict the facial feature of the animal.

PIAGET Galaxy, Reference 15212, A Platinum And Diamond-Set Bracelet Watch, Retailed By Asprey, Made In 1990 Estimate: HK$1,000,000 – 2,000,000 / US$128,000 – 255,000
A true testament to Piaget's expertise in luxury watchmaking, the present Galaxy bracelet watch is finely embellished with pave-set baguette-cut diamonds on the dial, case and bracelet, weighing approximately 25 carats in total. Cased in platinum and signed by the prestigious retailer Asprey, the watch is extremely rare to find on the market.