Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is excited to announce The Hong Kong Sessions, Fall 2024, online auction, taking place from 12:00 PM HKT, Friday, September 20, to 2:00 PM HKT, Friday, September 27. Featuring more than 135 different high-end luxury wristwatches, the sale covers everything from A. Lange & Söhne and F.P. Journe to Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe.
Lot 8065: A Circa 2000s Girard Perregaux Tourbillon Sous Trois Ponts d’Or
Estimate: HKD $$160,000 - 320,000
Gertrude Wong, Head of Sale, Specialist
This Three Golden Bridges in pink gold has a perfect propotion in terms of dial design. I love the fact that its appearance is much like early pocket watch with the absense of a chapter ring. Keeping it simple and letting the movement speak for itself, the bridges are extend to the fullest, exposing the large jewels that adds a nice touch of red constrasting with the blue hands. A charming example in a equally charming size, it is also No. 3 from its production.
Lot 8056: A 1964 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe No Rad “Aqua Lung”
Estimate: HKD $120,000 - 200,000
Alvin Lau, Specialist
The Blancpain Bathyscaphe is a civilian version of the famous Fifty Fathoms, which is one of the most iconic dive watches in the world. Back in the early '60s, new rules came out that changed how luminous materials were used on dive watches and Blancpain adapted by using a safer, less radioactive compound. Some dials, like this one, even had a ""No Radiations"" symbol to show that the lume was harmless to the general public. This Bathyscaphe wasn’t sold in fancy boutiques; instead it was sold in a specialty diving store ""Aqua Lung," named after Jacques Cousteau's famous invention. This watch is in fantastic condition, with the original lume aging to a nice buttery color that glows beautifully under UV light. Plus, it comes with a Heritage Authentication from Blancpain’s heritage team, confirming its originality and authenticity.
Lot 8096: A Circa 1995 Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso 'Geneva Fountain'
Estimate: HKD $60,000 - 120,000
Yunyi Xu, Cataloguer
For those seeking an iconic dress watch with both style and exclusivity in mind, this Reverso Geneva Fountain is an exceptional choice. Since its debut in the 1930s, the Reverso has stood the test of time with its ingenious reversible mechanism that offers collectors sophistication and versatility. This particular example was made as a limited edition of 20 pieces in white gold, with an elegant time-only dial on one side and a stunning scenery of the Geneva fountain and Cathedral Saint-Pierre on the reverse, decorated with 40 diamonds. Kept in barely worn condition by the original owner since 1995, it comes with its full set of accessories – a truly special and rare gem to come across.
Lot 8111: A Circa 2023 Seiko Prospex The 1965 Diver's Re-Creation Limited Edition
Estimate: HKD $20,000 - 30,000
Jonathan Siu, Specialist, Perpetual
Vintage re-issues have always been popular among watch collectors. The idea is that if you can’t get the original one, then why not get a modern remake? Yes it’s not the same thing, but when the re-edition is faithful to the original, you get to step back in time and enjoy the nostalgia and historical romance. Last year, Seiko released a re-creation of the brand’s first true diver’s watch - the 62MAS of 1965 – via the Seiko Prospex SJE093 Limited Edition. Over the past few years, the brand has released several models inspired by the first one, but they were all too big and didn’t feel quite right. This time Seiko has finally taken the dimensions of the original watch and applied them to the re-issue. The overall aesthetic of the SJE093 resembles the bigger version of the 62MAS ref. 6217-8001: The 38mm diameter case, 46mm lug to lug, 19mm lug width, sunburst grey dial, and big crown. Everything screams the 1965. The Seiko Prospex 1965 Diver's Re-Creation Limited Edition is, in my opinion, the true-to-the-original and the most aesthetically similar re-edition of the legendary 62MAS. It is undoubtedly the best re-issue of 62MAS (so far). If you like the looks of the original 62MAS, what’s not to like here?
Lot 8107: A Kudoke 2 'Starry Night' Limited Edition
Estimate: HKD $60,000 - 120,000
Zi-Yong Ho, Senior International Specialist
Since my initial encounter with the HANDwerk collection upon its launch, I have been an enthusiastic admirer. The precise hand-finishing by Master watchmaker Stefan Kudoke is undeniably exceptional. The collaboration with Grail Watch on the 'Starry Night' creation is truly remarkable! The attention to detail is extraordinary, beginning with the intricate guilloche pattern on the dial that artfully embodies the essence of the ocean, and culminating in the unmistakable Kudoke 2 signature at 12 o'clock. The 24-hour scale, featuring a hand-engraved day/night display (depicting the Sun and Moon), adds a distinctive element for distinguishing between day and night. What truly captures my attention about this timepiece is the luminous coating adorning both the minute track and the 24-hour scale, casting a captivating glow when the watch is held in darkness. Limited to just 30 pieces, this is a collectible not to be overlooked!
Lot 8038: A Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Ref. 3940G + Lot 8021: An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 5402
Estimate: HKD $280,000 - 420,000 // HKD $160,000 - 320,000
Daniel Sum, Consultant, Shanghai
The Patek Philippe 3940g is, without doubt, a definitive thoroughbred to come out of Patek Philippe’s manufacture. Whilst other references such as the 3970 or 5970 rightfully garner applause through their complications and timeless elegance, I would argue that the 3940 is perhaps the more wearable option, due to discreetness and thinness. This truly is the watch that is “right for all occasions” and in the version offered, white gold, it is more contemporary for the modern day gentleman or lady. Oh, and did I forget to mention the perpetual calendar complication? Sign me up!
If you are here reading this, then you will know what a Royal Oak is and you will know that in recent times the Royal Oak in its myriad of differing materials and dial colours has become unobtainable for many collectors, at least from boutique, but with the 5402, we have the rendition that started it all, the 5402 A series. Made in a total of 4 different series, A was the very first, and is estimated only 1000 pieces were made. This was Gerald Genta’s very original concept, a symphony of design and the purest form of the Royal Oak, as he intended it to be. Put simply, not only do you enjoy perhaps one of the most iconic sports watches of all times, but to go along with that, you get to own a little piece of history.
You can view the complete catalog for the Phillips Watches Hong Kong Sessions, Fall 2024, Online Auction, right here.
About Phillips In Association With Bacs & Russo
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. Over the course of 2021 and 2022, the company sold 100% of the watches offered, a first in the industry, resulting in the highest annual total in history across all the auction houses at $227 million.
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