HONG KONG.- Christie's Hong Kong Important Watches Autumn Auction 2014 will be staged on 26 November 2014. with a total of 542 watches on offer and estimated at HK$98 million/ US$12.6 million, the sale features a superb array of timepieces of the finest calibre. Apart from top-notch minute repeating, perpetual calendar, tourbillon and split seconds chronograph wristwatches from the world’s leading blue chip brands, the auction will also present a string of cutting-edge creations of the globe’s foremost independent makers. In addition, collectors will be delighted to find notable pocket watches featuring tourbillon and automata mechanisms, as well as some of the most lavishly jewelled watches ever manufactured.

MODERN WATCHES BY PATEK PHILIPPE
Patek Philippe, one of world’s most renowned watchmakers, continues to take centre stage in Christie’s Hong Kong watch auction, with three exceptional modern wristwatches among season’s highlights. Leading the trio is a Very Fine, Rare and Important 18K Pink Gold Automatic Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch. In addition to its exceptional minute repeating function, this present Patek Phillippe Ref. 5074, made circa 2011, features moon phases, 24 hour and leap year indication on a black dial. Manufactured in small numbers only, Ref. 5074 was launched in yellow gold in 2001 and was discontinued in 2006; pink gold examples are extremely rare to come by. Widely considered a contemporary classic, Ref. 5074 is hugely popular amongst collectors as it incarnates the strengths and wonderful acoustics of Patek Philippe minute repeaters.

According to research by Christie’s specialists, the present lot is one of the very few known examples with highly sought-after Arabic numerals on black dial, and marks the first time that a pink gold example has come to auction. Fresh to the market and still factory sealed (meaning it has never been worn, nor taken out of its original packaging). Its remarkable exclusivity presents a great opportunity for collectors worldwide (Lot 2374, Estimate: HK$3,800,000-5,000,000 / US$480,000-620,000).

Two other notable lots are a Ref. 5950 and a Ref. 5101. The former, an Extremely Fine and Very Rare Stainless Steel Cushion-Shaped Split Seconds Chronograph Wristwatch with Breguet Numerals, circa 2013, is a classic model for split function. While the latter, manufactured circa 2006, is a Fine and Rare Platinum Rectangular Tourbillon Chronometer Wristwatch for Split Seconds or Rattrapante Chronograph function with 10 Day Power Reserve.

MODERN WATCHES
This section is highlighted by three exceptional pieces, each from an industry heavyweight, including Audemars Piguet, Hublot and A. Lange & Söhne

• Lot 2718 Audemars Piguet. A Very Fine and Important Alacrite 602 and Titanium Limited Edition Tonneau-Shaped Semi-Skeletonised Tourbillon Wristwatch with Power Reserve and Dynamographe Indication. Signed Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Concept Model, Ref. Cw 1, Circa 2004 HK$1,000,000-1,900,000 / US$130,000-250,000

• Lot 2634 Hublot. A Fine and Very Rare 18k Pink Gold Limited Edition Semi-Skeletonised Minute Repeating Tourbillon Wristwatch. Signed Hublot, Big Bang Model, No. 1/10, Ref. 304.Px.1180.Lr, Circa 2014 HK$960,000-1,400,000 / US$120,000-180,000

• Lot 2680 A. Lange & Söhne. A Very Fine and Rare 18k Pink Gold Tourbillon Wristwatch with Patented Stop Seconds Mechanism, Pivoting Segment Dial and Chain Fusée. Signed A. Lange & Söhne, Glashütte I/Sa, Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour Le Mérite, Ref. 760’032, Circa 2012 HK$800,000-1,200,000 / US$100,000-150,000

INDEPENDENT WATCHMAKERS
Combining outstanding craftsmanship, unique looks and a wide variety of complications, independent watchmakers continue to garner admiration among collectors with their horological creations. An ultra-light model that was specifically created for its namesake Spanish tennis star, the Rafael Nadal RM027 Model (Lot 2719, Estimate: HK$3,200,000-4,800,000 / US$400,000-600,000), circa 2011 is from Swiss brand Richard Mille. This Fine and Very Rare Titanium and Carbon Composite Limited Edition Skeletonised Tourbillon Wristwatch weighs only 19 grams, and belongs to a limited edition of 50 pieces, of which the current lot is no. 2.

RM027 is named as one of the world lightest watch to ever be made. The alloy used here is also applied in aerospace on the Airbus A380, helicopters, rockets, satellites as well as in Formula 1 racing cars. Initially conceived by Mille for Nadal to wear during tennis games, the model was therefore designed to be light, extremely shock-resistance and comfortable to play tennis with. Having made countless appearances on the champion player’s wrist in top-level tennis matches, RM027 has proven itself to be a delicate marvel that’s also capable of handling the shock of a professional sport.

Meanwhile, from another Swiss high-end watchmaker, Greubel Forsey, comes a Very Fine, Important and Very Rare Platinum Asymmetrical 24 Seconds Inclined Tourbillon Wristwatch with 72 Hours Power Reserve, Tourbillon 24 Seconds Incline Model, No. 53, circa 2013.

Revered watchmakers Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have been working together for nearly two decades in a relationship founded on their shared technical creativity and quest for perfection. In 1999, they began working on a new generation of tourbillons designed to improve the timekeeping of mechanical watches. Four years later, they unveiled Greubel Forsey and stunned horological aficionados with their innovation and excellence.

The present lot is complete with leather wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging, and a Greubel Forsey Extrait du Grand Livre and Certificat de Grand Service. This certificate is valid during six months following the date of acquisition of the watch at Christie’s, offering the new owner a free servicing of the watch in Greubel Forsey’s workshops.

Another notable lot is a Fine, Rare and Unusual Platinum and Diamond-Set Tonneau-Shaped Wandering Hour Wristwatch from F.P. Journe Vagabondage Model, circa 2004.

VINTAGE WATCHES
This season’s vintage section is highlighted by four classic masterpieces, including two Patek Philippes—one is an Extremely Fine and Very Rare Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch, Ref. 1579, circa 1945 (HK$1,600,000 - $2,400,000 / US$200,000 - $300,000), and the other is a Bracelet Watch, Ref. 3448, circa 1970. Rolex wristwatches also offer two important wristwatches, the ―Milsub‖, an automatic Wristwatch Made for the British Royal Navy, Ref. 5513/5517, circa 1975 and the ―Killy‖, a Triple Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch, Ref. 6036, circa 1953.

BEJEWELLED TIMEPIECES
Led by five dazzling Cartier ―Le Cirque Animalier‖ watches, an array of bejewelled timepieces bring the bling to the sale. The bejewelled lady’s watches of Le Cirque Animalier de Cartier were first created in 2008. As they were all produced in limited editions, the watches are highly coveted and notoriously difficult to obtain. Exceptionally, on offer in this sale is the entire initial collection made in 2008, which depicts three endangered animal from Asia – the Panda, the Tiger and the Elephant. Also featured here are the Turtle watch from the 2011 collection and the Dragonfly watch from the 2012 collection. Each piece in this spectacular quintet of stunners is estimated to worth HK$320,000 - $480,000 / US$40,000 - $60,000, and is truly a work of art in its own right that transcends the dimensions of time and fashion.

Other top lots in this section consist of a Cartier wristwatch with three rotatable dials, a Piaget lady’s 18k white gold and diamond-set tonneau-shaped bracelet watch, a Vacheron Constantin white gold and baguette diamond-set limited edition chronograph wristwatch with black dial and an automatic dual time wristwatch signed by Rolex. This Rolex watch with GMT- Master II ―Saru‖ Model is made in 18k gold and set with diamonds weighing approximately 10 carats, rubies weighing around 1 carat and sapphire weighing approximately 1 carat, giving it its ―Saru‖ nickname.