HG Timepiece & De Bethune - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX Hong Kong Saturday, November 23, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: HG Timepiece & De Bethune
    Year: 2024
    Reference No: HG20 PN
    Model Name: Marc Newson X De Bethune Purple Hourglass
    Material: Borosilicate glass and purple stainless steel nanoballs
    Dimensions: 165mm width and 195mm height; weight 3.5kg
    Signed: Hourglass signed Marc Newson and De Bethune
    Accessories: Accompanied by blank HG Timepiece warranty certificate, coaster, gloves and fitted hourglass outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Designed by renowned industrial engineer Marc Newson, who has worked with companies from Apple to Ferrari to Nike to Heineken, he is celebrated for his iconic Lockheed Lounge chair and the Apple Watch. He has also ventured into watchmaking by founding lkepod in 1994, with its bold design still legendary in today’s market The present streamlined hourglass possesses a remarkably simple appearance, yet its construction involves a surprisingly sophisticated process.

    Crafted from a single piece of glass, the hourglass is skillfully hand-blown in Switzerland by HG Timepiece. The walls of the hourglass are exceptionally thick, measuring between 5 mm and 7mm. Unlike conventional glass, this borosilicate glass is resistant to high temperatures making it a highly durable material. The hourglass is filled with countless microscopic solid metal spheres known as nanoballs. Each nanoball measures only 0.6 mm in diameter, totaling approximately 3 million nanoballs, resulting in this unique De Bethune x HG Timepiece collaboration.


    More a sculpture than a mere timekeeper, this unique hourglass features iconic heat-treated purple stainless steel nanoballs, a striking alternative to the usual metal coated nanoballs. This innovative color is derived from De Bethune’s exclusive techniques, similar to those found in their new D828xs Purple Rain. Additionally, this hourglass departs from the typical limited editions that measure 10 or 60 minutes; it records a duration of 20 minutes, in a new glass size.

    Please note that a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the present watch will be given by the Consignor to Albert Hausammann Foundation. The foundation provides financial support to eligible students from regions in Asia for the purpose of training or advancing their skills in the art of watchmaking.

896

Ref. HG20 PN
A unique De Bethune and HG Timepiece collaboration 20-minutes duration Hourglass by Marc Newson, with certificate and presentation box, made for the 11th anniversary of The Lavish Attic

2024
165mm width and 195mm height; weight 3.5kg
Hourglass signed Marc Newson and De Bethune

In excess of HKD 130,000 / USD 17,000

Sold for HK$254,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2030
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIX

Hong Kong Auction 23 - 24 November 2024