Press | Phillips

25 November 2023

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Achieves HK$182 Million/ US$23.25 Million for The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo Achieves


HK$182 Million/ US$23.25 Million for The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII

Marking Three Years of 100% Sold, White Glove Sales for The Watches Department in Asia

 

17 % Increase on the Previous Season

 

 

Thomas Perazzi auctioneering lot 858, Patek Philippe ref. 3974, sold for HK$14 million/ US$1.84 million

 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII, 24-25 November, 2023

 

TOTAL: HK$181,704,010 / US$23,258,113

 

Lots sold:208 | Lots offered: 208                                                                     Sold by lot: 100% | Sold by value: 100%

 

Hong Kong – 25 November 2023 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo realised HK$182 million/ US$23.25 million in The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII held on 24 – 25 November at the company’s Asia headquarters in the West Kowloon Cultural District. The sale saw over 1,700 watch enthusiasts participating from across 61 countries/ regions.

 

The star lot of the sale was the possibly unique and previously unknown Patek Philippe ref. 3974 wristwatch in platinum, which soared above its pre-sale estimate of HK$8.8 million/ US$1.13 million, eventually selling for over HK$14 million/ US$1.8 million. Another star lot was the vintage Rolex 'Stelline' ref. 6062 in yellow gold which sold for over HK$7 million/ US$910,336, marking a 40% increase from its previous result achieved at Phillips Hong Kong in 2016.

 

Independent watchmakers continue to inspire spirited bidding, with models by F.P.Journe, Rexhep Rexhepi , Philippe Dufour, and De Bethune capturing the demand of the market. The momentum for Rexhep Rexhepi continued, with the Chronomètre Contemporain ref. RRCC01 sold for nearly HK$7 million/ US$894,080 after a fierce eight-minute bidding war among few phone bidders and 29 bids placed. The watch ultimately sold for 2.3 times over its pre-sale high estimate and marked the second highest price achieved for a wristwatch by Rexhep Rexhepi, who is regarded as a legend among the new generation of young independents.

 

Appeared at auction for the first time, a five-piece set of 38mm stainless steel wristwatches made by F. P. Journe sold for a remarkable HK$8.9 million/ US$1.13 million. The watches individually achieved for following prices: Tourbillon Souverain (lot 815) sold for HK$3.4 million/ US$438,912; Chronomètre à Résonance (lot 816) sold for HK$2.3 million/ US$292,608; Octa Calendrier (lot 817) sold for HK$1.08 million/ US$138,176; Octa Réserve de Marche (lot 818) sold for HK$825,500/ US$105,664; Chronomètre Souverain (lot 819) sold for HK$1.14 million/ US$146,304; and finally the wooden presentation box (lot 820) sold for HK$120,650/ US$154,432. Another unmissable highlight was the F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain “China 2010” which is the first example with a 38mm diameter platinum case appeared at auction, sold for HK$6.9 million/ US$877,824, after a competitive battle between numerous bidders.

 

Thomas Perazzi, Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Asia, Phillips, said, “The results from The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII mark three years of Phillips Hong Kong selling 100% of watches offered at auction. With a 17% increase from the previous season, the results underscore the continued resilience of the global market for collectible timepieces of the highest quality and utmost rarity. The top ten lots beautifully demonstrate how varied the market is, and how well Phillips continues to respond to such a market – with Patek Philippe ref. 3974 wristwatch in platinum flying way above its pre-sale estimate, a Rolex 'Stelline' ref. 6062 in yellow gold achieved for 40% more than its previous sold price at auction, and a number of independents established strong results. We are now very much looking forward to our last watch auction this year in New York on 9-10 December.”

 

TOP TEN LOTS OF THE HONG KONG WATCH AUCTION: XVII

Lot

Description

Estimate

Price Achieved

858

Patek Philippe, Ref. 3974P-001, platinum minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch. Circa 2001

HK$ 8,800,000 - 17,600,000

US$ 1,130,000-2,260,000

HK$14,365,000

US$1,838,720

903

Rolex, ‘Stelline’ Ref. 6062, yellow gold triple calendar wristwatch. Circa 1952

HK$ 5,500,000 - 11,000,000

US$ 705,000-1,410,000

HK$7,112,000

US$910,336

939

Rexhep Rexhepi, Ref. RRCC01 pink gold wristwatch, numbered 12 of a limited edition of 25 pieces. Circa 2019

HK$1,600,000 - 3,000,000

US$205,000-385,000

HK$6,985,000

US$894,080

962

F.P. Journe, Tourbillon Souverain, “Chine 2010”, platinum 38mm diameter wristwatch. Circa 2010

HK$ 6,000,000 - 10,000,000

US$ 769,000-1,280,000

HK$6,858,000

US$877,824

880

Patek Philippe, Ref. 5004P-041 platinum perpetual calendar split-second chronograph wristwatch. Circa 2008

HK$2,600,000 - 5,200,000

US$333,000-667,000

HK$6,286,500

US$804,672

864

Patek Philippe, Ref. 5271/13P-001, platinum emerald baguette-set perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch. Circa 2017

HK$ 2,200,000 - 3,800,000

US$ 282,000-487,000

HK$ 5,842,000

US$ 747,776

961

Patek Philippe, Ref. 5271/12P-001, platinum and ruby baguette-set perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch. Circa 2016

HK$ 2,000,000 - 3,500,000

US$ 256,000-449,000

HK$4,635,500

US$593,344

1001

Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona, "Paul Newman
Oyster Sotto", Ref. 6263, stainless steel chronograph wristwatch. Circa 1969

HK$ 3,200,000 - 5,500,000

US$ 410,000-705,000

HK$4,445,000

US$568,960

875

Rolex, Oyster Cosmograph “Paul Newman”, Ref. 6265, stainless steel chronograph wristwatch. Circa 1971

HK$ 2,650,000 - 4,300,000

US$ 340,000-551,000

HK$3,810,000

US$487,680

1005

F.P. Journe, Tourbillon Souverain Anniversaire Boca Raton, numbered 4 of a limited edition of 5 pieces, made to commemorate the first anniversary of the F.P. Journe Boca Raton boutique in Florida. Circa 2007

HK$1,600,000 - 3,200,000

US$205,000-410,000

HK$3,810,000

US$487,680

1011

Philippe Dufour, white gold wristwatch with small seconds, Certificate of Origin and presentation box, numbered 09. Circa 2001

HK$ 2,000,000 - 4,000,000

US$ 256,000-513,000

HK$3,810,000

US$487,680

 

Please click here for images.

 

Exchange Rate on 24-25 November 2023: HK$1= US$0.128

 

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.

 

Record-breaking prices include:

 

1. Paul Newman’s Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 (CHF 17,709,894 / US$17,752,500) – New York Auction: Winning Icons – 26 October 2017 – Highest result ever achieved for any vintage wristwatch at auction.

 

2. Patek Philippe reference 1518 in stainless steel (CHF 11,020,000 / US$11,112,020) – Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR – 12 November 2016 – Highest result ever achieved for a vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch at auction.

 

ABOUT PHILLIPS

Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning.

Visit phillips.com for further information.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

 

PRESS CONTACTS:            

HONG KONG – Ingrid Hsu, Public Relations and Communications Director, Asia    ingridhsu@phillips.com      +852 2318 2043

HONG KONG – Jiayi Zhang, Public Relations Coordinator    Jiayizhang@phillips.com   +852 2318 2080            

 

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