The most expensive Rolex and Patek Philippe watches ever sold at Hong Kong auctions in 2019
The diverse preferences and shared fascinations of Asian timepiece connoisseurs have helped sustain Hong Kong’s role as a hotbed for record-breaking luxury watch auctions.
Top brands, particularly Patek Philippe and Rolex, have remained highly sought after, as reflected by the strong hammer prices achieved in recent months.
At Sotheby’s Hong Kong Important Watches sale in October the star lot, Patek Philippe’s Sky Moon Tourbillon (Ref. 5002) fetched HK$10.97 million (US$1.4 million). An absolute rare gem circa 2011, this 18-carat pink gold double-dial wristwatch, measuring 43.5mm in diameter, features 12 complications – including tourbillon, minute repeating on cathedral gongs, a perpetual calendar, retrograde date, sky chart, moon phases, orbit display and sidereal time. It has an opaline white front dial, reverse with celestial map, and the calibre is of RTO 27 QR SID LU CL mechanical, 55 jewels. The movement number is 5'000'449 and case number is 4'492'453. It is complete with a brown Patek Philippe alligator strap and an 18-carat pink gold Henri Stern buckle.
STYLE Edit: Which Patek Philippe watch is the most desired?
Another Patek Philippe was sold for HK$5.57 million. This unique platinum perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch (Ref. 5020) – with moon phases, leap year indication, special luminous monogram blue dial and platinum bracelet – was made in 2008. Featuring a calibre of cal. 27-70/155 mechanical, 24 jewels and movement number 3’049’321, the watch’s case (No. 4'200'912) is in platinum and sapphire crystal display back. It has a platinum Patek Philippe bracelet and clasp.
Which British royal was the first to rock a Patek Philippe watch?
This watch is available with Patek Philippe’s certificate of origin and an extract from the archives, confirming production of this watch with blue dial in 2008 and its subsequent sale on April 18, 2011. Other accessories include additional case back, setting pin and presentation box.
A Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (Ref. 16528) beat expectations and fetched HK$4.25 million (after an estimate of HK$1.6 to HK$3 million). Circa 1990, this yellow gold chronograph wristwatch has a red dial, screw-down case back, and suspended logo and bracelet. The calibre is of cal. 4030 automatic, 31 jewels, and the case number is E333654. It has an 18-carat gold Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp.
Why the Rolex Day-Date is called ‘the president’s watch’
Supporting the bi-annual Only Watch auction once again this year, Patek Philippe’s one-of-a-kind Grandmaster Chime Ref. 6300A takes the claim as the most expensive wristwatch ever sold. The piece went under the hammer on November 9 at Christie’s Geneva auction and fetched US$31 million. Money raised from the sale of this stainless steel watch with two dials, featuring a perpetual calendar and a minute repeater, among several other functions will go towards research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
5 top pieces to see at Patek Philippe’s Singapore watch exhibition
Patek ended the year truly on a high note in Hong Kong as well, where the most expensive wristwatch ever sold in Asia went home with its lucky new owner for US$9 million, on November 23, at Christie’s Hong Kong sale. The 1953 Patek Philippe “L'Heure Bleue” Ref. 2523 was made exclusively for Milanese watch retailer Gobbi. The double-signed world timer features a blue enamel dial.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter .
Watches by Patek Philippe and Rolex were among the most prized to go under the hammer in Hong Kong this year – including a record-breaking US$9 million for the 1953 Patek Philippe ‘L’Heure Bleue’