Phillips continues to break watch auction records and set new benchmarks for watches sold at auction. Following their very impressive sale in Geneva which achieved the highest ever sale total for a watch auction in history, Phillips realized over HK$231 million/ $30 million USD at their Hong Kong Watch Auction XIII. Selling for more than 43% of its pre-sale high estimate, Phillips achieved the highest ever sale total for a watches sale at Phillips Asia, bringing their annual sales total to HK$422 million/ $54 million USD, the highest ever achieved by Phillips Watch department in the region. For the first time in history, Phillips Watches celebrates a full year of white glove sales in Asia, a first for any auction house in the region.  

Thomas Perazzi, Head of Watches, Asia, said: “We have been witnessing our consistent growth in Asia, with this season’s sale total marking 75% increase from the previous year and 21% increase from the previous season. We are pleased to see heavy weight of contenders in the field of horology, and our extraordinary curation resulted in every single timepiece finding a buyer. The number of online bidders for our Hong Kong watch sales continue to reach new heights, smashed all previous records with 1,800 online registrants from 70 countries, the highest for any auction staged by the company in Asia, and nearly 60% of lots sold to online bidders. Timeless and quality watches are never going out of fashion, with many watches in the sale sold well above their high estimates, especially the two new world records for the most iconic Daytona variants – the ‘John Player Special’ —lot 819— and the ‘Panda’ —lot 1043. We are very much looking forward to the final watches sale this year in New York on 11-12 December.”

Most Important Lots Sold at the Hong Kong Auction XIII

Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar ref. 3448 ‘The Blue Royale’

Lot 852 - Patek Philippe Ref. 3448/100 ‘The Blue Royale’ is possibly a unique, platinum perpetual calendar wristwatch with moonphases, sapphire-set indexes and sapphire display case back. Circa 1973 it sold for HK$17,795,000 = $2,283,098 USD

Rolex Cosmograph ref.6241 Paul Newman John Player Special

Lot 819 - Rolex Cosmograph ref.6241 yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial and French import hallmarks. Circa 1968 This watch set a new world record for any Paul Newman John Player Special. Sold for almost 45% above its high estimate at HK$13,560,000 = $1,739,748 USD.

Rolex Cosmograph ref.6263 Paul Newman Tropical

Lot 1043 - Rolex Cosmograph ref. 6263 stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” dial and “tropical” outer minute track. Circa 1971. Setting the new world record for ref. 6263 ‘Panda’ Paul Newman, this watch sold for HK$8,962,000 = $1,149,825 USD.

Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5723/112R-001

Lot 814 - Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5723/112R-001 pink gold baguette-cut ruby-set wristwatch sold for HK$4,914,000 = $630,466 USD.

Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref. 1518

Lot 968 - Patek Philippe Ref. 1518, yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases circa 1949 sold for  HK$4,536,000 = $581,969 USD.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Ceramic ref. 26585CE

Lot 834 - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked Black Ceramic ref. 26585CE.OO.1225CE.01 sold for HK$4,410,000 = $565,803 USD.

Patek Philippe Nautilus 40th Anniversary Chronograph ref. 5976/1G-001

Lot 805 - Patek Philippe Ref 5976/1G-001, white gold and diamond-set chronograph wristwatch made in a limited edition of 1,300 pieces to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Patek Philippe Nautilus sold for HK$3,780,000 = $484,974 USD.

F.P.Journe, Chronomètre à Resonance Platinum

Lot 815 - F.P.Journe, Chronomètre à Resonance in platinum dual-time wristwatch with double escapement circa 2002 sold for HK$3,717,000 = $476,891 USD.

F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Black Label

Lot 816 - F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Black Label, a mechanically complex platinum tourbillon wristwatch with constant force remontoire, power reserve and dead beat seconds circa 2011 almost doubled its high estimate selling for HK$3,528,000 = $452,642 USD.

Rolex Cosmograph Paul Newman ref. 6264

Lot 845 - Rolex Cosmograph ref.6264 Paul Newman in stainless steel circa 1970 sold for HK$3,528,000 = $452,642 USD.