Tuesday, September 3, 2013

SPECTACULAR CLOCKS AND BEJEWELLED WATCHES AT SOTHEBY'S AUCTION IN HONG KONG ON 8 OCTOBER 2012

KEE@FSWMAG.COM
SOTHEBY'S WILL AUCTION SOME TRULY AWESOME AND JAW-DROPPING CLOCKS AND WATCHES SO PRECIOUS AND DAZZLING THEY MAKE TIME STAND STILL! 

SOTHEBY’S HONG KONG IMPORTANT WATCHES
AUTUMN SALE 2013 TO TAKE PLACE ON 8 OCTOBER

Highlighting Patek Philippe Bejewelled Grand Complications
Offered For The First Time At Auction

PP5073P.jpg
 PATEK PHILIPPE, Ref. 5073P (Est. HK$5.5 – 6 million / US$710,000-840,000)

PP_The Fancy Carp Fountain Clock 1-1.jpg
PATEK PHILIPPE "Magnificent Fancy Carp And Rock Crystal Fountain Clock", Made In 1991 (Est. HK$2 – 3 million / US$260,000 – 380,000)

Hong Kong Public Exhibition: 3 – 7 October
Hong Kong, 30 August 2013 Sotheby's Hong Kong Important Watches Autumn Sale 2013 will take place on 8
October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In celebration of Sotheby’s 40th anniversary in Asia, the
sale will bring together the finest and rarest of modern timepieces from established manufacturers such as Patek Philippe,
as well as creations of independent watchmakers including Richard Mille’s “Rafael Nadal” tourbillon made for the tennis
player, many of them never seen before at auction. The sale will also highlight Magnificent Clocks From An Important
Private Collection – Part II, highly anticipated following the huge success in April 2013 that saw 22 clocks achieve HK$124
million / US$15.9 million. Offering approximately 500 lots, the sale is estimated to achieve in excess of HK$112
million / US$14 million* – the highest pre-sale estimate of the category at Sotheby’s Hong Kong.


Charles Tearle, Head of Watches, Sotheby’s Asia, says, “Following the overwhelming success in April 2013,
Sotheby’s Watches department continues to see growth within Asia as is evident in the upcoming October auction
offering approximately 500 watches and clocks. It is always a pleasure for us to bring fresh-to-the-market watches to
the auction scene and within this sale we have numerous such examples including, from Patek Philippe, two bejewelled
grand complication wristwatches, a unique and very fine enamel pocket watch, as well as a 10-day tourbillon wristwatch
with custom-ordered dial. Independent watchmaking is represented in this sale by very important tourbillon watches
from renowned designer Richard Mille, arguably the most significant models he has created. We are particularly
delighted to offer the second part of Magnificent Clocks From An Important Private Collection, which took the market
by storm last season. We believe this diverse array of fresh and important timepieces will offer an excellent buying
opportunity for collectors worldwide.”


HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SALE
PP5073P.jpg
PATEK PHILIPPE GRAND COMPLICATIONS DEBUTING AT AUCTION
PATEK PHILIPPE, A Very Fine, Rare And Important Platinum And Diamond-Set
Automatic Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Wristwatch With Cathedral
Gongs, Moon-Phases And Leap Year Indicators, Circa 2013, Ref. 5073P
(Est. HK$5.5 – 6 million / US$710,000-840,000)
This is the first time a Patek Philippe Ref. 5073 has appeared at auction. Available only in
platinum, the Ref. 5073 features the same complications as a Ref. 5074P yet is set with
baguette diamonds to a striking effect. Like the Ref. 5074, revered for the sublime tones of
its repeater, the Ref. 5073 with its “Cathedral gongs” faithfully chimes the hours, quarters and minutes with perfect clarity.

PP6104-1.jpg
PATEK PHILIPPE, A Very Fine And Rare White Gold And Diamond-Set
Automatic Astronomical Calendar Wristwatch With Sky Chart, Phases And
Position Of The Moon And Time Of Meridian Passage Of Sirius And The Moon,
2011, Ref. 6104G (Est. HK$2.2 – 2.7 million / US$280,000 – 350,000)
Fresh to the auction market, the Patek Philippe Ref. 6104G, “Celestial with Date”,
available only in white gold, features a sky chart with phases and positions of the moon
with a date as well as a baguette diamond bezel. The 44mm-diameter case is highly
unusual for Patek Philippe and gives an impressive appearance on the wrist with the
diamonds adding a touch of brilliance.

Gerd Dor Chinese Panda Clock 1.jpg
PATEK PHILIPPE, A Fine And Exceptionally Rare, Possibly Unique, Platinum
Rectangular Tourbillon Wristwatch With 10-Day Power Reserve Indication And
Custom-Ordered Black Dial With Diamond Indexes,
2013, Ref.5101P (Est. HK$2.5 – 3.2 million / US$320,000-410,000)
Created as a special commission in 2013, this Patek Philippe Ref. 5101P is the only
known example with a black dial, diamond indexes and red highlights, and the first with
a custom-ordered dial to appear at auction. Special-order dials are only created by Patek Philippe for a very select
group of long-term collectors and therefore rarely appear on the market. The discontinuation of the platinum version
in 2009 and its replacement by yellow gold and pink gold versions Visually the black dial, instead of the usual salmon3
coloured one, changes the look of the watch and makes the model more elegant. The 10-day tourbillon is built subtly
at the back of the classic rectangular case with stepped sides and offered in contemporary proportions.


RICHARD MILLE – TWO HIGHLY UNUSUAL CREATIONS
Gerd Dor Chinese Panda Clock 1.jpg
RICHARD MILLE, A Rare And Extremely Light-Weighted Limited Edition Carbon
Composite Tonneau-Form Tourbillon Wristwatch, Circa 2011, RM027 Rafael Nadal,
No. 16/50 (Est. HK$2.5 – 3.5 million / US$320,000-450,000)
Create in conjunction with and specifically for the tennis player Rafael Nadal, RM027 was
the world’s lightest tourbillon wristwatch when it was launched and Nadal has been seen
wearing one throughout his career since its release. With a specially created polymercarbon
case and titanium movement formed only of drilled bridges, when fitted to a
Velcro strap the watch, weighing a mere 23 grammes, is so light it floats on water. The
RM027 was released in a limited edition of only 50 numbered examples, all of which were immediately sold. Unveiled
on the wrist of Nadal at Roland Garros in 2010 - the same year Nadal achieved No. 1 ranking in the men’s singles - the
watch created a media frenzy as Nadal was the only highly ranked tennis star to wear a watch while playing.

Gerd Dor Chinese Panda Clock 1.jpg
RICHARD MILLE, An Exceptional Magnesium Tonneau-Form Skeletonised
Tourbillon Wristwatch made in a limited edition of 38 examples, Circa 2011,
RM038 (Est. HK$2.3 – 3.2 million / US$300,000-410,000)
Making its debut at auction, the RM038 tourbillon was created in a limited edition
of only 38 numbered examples for the renowned US golfer, Bubba Watson, and
specially designed to withstand the extreme G-force created when Bubba hits the
ball. The RM038 is housed in a Magnesium WE54 case, an alloy usually used for
construction and a novelty for watchmaking, which was chosen by the Richard Mille
research and development team for its light weight, strength and resistance to distortion at extreme temperatures.
The watch was released in 2011 and first seen on the wrist of Bubba Watson, who continued wearing the watch as he
became the US Masters later that year.


CHIME SUBLIME
Gerd Dor Chinese Panda Clock 1.jpg
VACHERON CONSTANTIN, An Important And Highly Complicated Pink Gold
Minute Repeating Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Wristwatch, Circa 2010,
Ref. 80172 Patrimony (Est. HK$3.2 – 4.8 million / US$410,000 – 620,000)
Vacheron Constantin started making multi-complication watches with repeaters as early
as the late 19th century. Launched at SIHH in 2007, this “Patrimony” is equipped with
minute repeating, perpetual calendar and tourbillon functions. Featuring the Cal.2755
movement which consists of 602 parts, this watch was the most complicated model in
production at the time. The watchmakers’ meticulous attention to the tone and clarity of
the minute repeater chime is apparent. The minute repeating mechanism includes a centripetal speed regulator which
eliminates the noise interference normally experienced with pallet systems. The result is one of the clearest chimes the
company has ever produced. Housed within a 44mm-diameter pink gold case, the movement is a combination of
three most sought-after functions, presenting an extraordinary challenge to watchmakers and making it every
connoisseur’s trophy.


MAGNIFICENT CLOCKS FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION – PART II
Sotheby’s Hong Kong is also honoured to present Magnificent Clocks From An Important Private Collection – Part II this
October. Following the initial success in April with all 22 lots sold and the “The Magpie’s Treasure Nest Clock” by
Patek Philippe achieving a record-setting HK$18.04 million / US$2.31 million, these stunning timepieces are set to appeal
to collectors worldwide.
PATEK PHILIPPE
PP_The Fancy Carp Fountain Clock 1-1.jpg
"Magnificent Fancy Carp And Rock Crystal Fountain Clock"
A Superb And Substantial Yellow Gold, Rock Crystal, Diamond, Ruby,
Emerald, White And Black Mother-Of-Pearl Mantel Clock
Ref. 2061, Made In 1991
Est. HK$2 – 3 million / US$260,000 – 380,000


CARTIER
Gerd Dor Chinese Panda Clock 1.jpg
"Glorious 24 Hour Elephant Masterpiece Globe Clock"
A Wonderful And Unique Yellow Gold, Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Rock Crystal
And Citrine 24 Hour Rotating Globe Clock Of Exhibition Quality, Circa 1990
Est. HK$1.5 – 2.5 million / US$190,000 – 320,000


GERD DOR
Gerd Dor Chinese Panda Clock 1.jpg
“Giant Panda Clock”
A Very Rare And Highly Appealing Gold, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire,
Enamel And Obsidian Mantel Clock
Est. HK$400,000 – 600,000 / US$51,000 – 77,000

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium and prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
Images available upon request | Press releases and sales information are now available at www.sothebys.com
All catalogues are available online at www.sothebys.com or through Sotheby’s Catalogue iPad App

Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings Day Sale
7 Oct Fine Chinese Paintings
Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite
8 Oct Chinese Art Through The Eye Of Sakamoto Goro
Qing Imperial Porcelain – A Kyoto Collection
The Cunliffe Musk-Mallow Palace Bowl
Important Ming Porcelain From A Private Collection
Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art
Important Watches Including Magnificent Clocks From An Important Private Collection – Part II
HONG KONG EXHIBITION AND AUCTION VENUE
Hall 3, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (New Wing), 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
II) ASIA TRAVELLING EXHIBITIONS CALENDAR
Date City Venue
30 & 31 Aug Jakarta The Capital Residence
4 & 5 Sep Shanghai Jian An Shangri-La
7 & 8 Sep Beijing China World Summit Wing Beijing
13 & 14 Sep Singapore The Regent Singapore
16 & 17 Sep Bangkok The Sukhothai
21 & 22 Sep Taipei Fubon International Convention Centre
24 & 25 Sep Kaohsiung & Tokyo Ambassador Hotel Kaohsiung (Kaohsiung) & Sotheby’s Tokyo Office (Tokyo)
III) SOTHEBY'S HONG KONG UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS AND SELLING EXHIBITIONS IN SEP – NOV
(The schedule is subject to change)
Date Event Venue
12 – 24 Sep From Warhol, With Love – A Selling Exhibition Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery
3 – 7 Oct Awakening Spring: Exhibition Of Significant Works By Wu Guanzhong Hall 3, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre (New Wing)
10 – 20 Oct Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery
25 Oct – 2 Nov The Eternal Spring – A Selling Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics
by Caroline Cheng
Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery
IV) FOR MORE NEWS FROM SOTHEBY’S
Visit : http://www.sothebys.com/en/inside/services/press/overview.html
Follow : www.twitter.com/sothebys & www.weibo.com/sothebyshongkong
Join : www.facebook.com/sothebys
Watch : www.youtube.com/sothebys
Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it
expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973) and France (2001), and the first international fine art
auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s presents auctions in 8 different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris,
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