First auction of the yearAntiquorum achieves excellent results in Hong Kong
Antiquorum’s first auction of the year “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces”, held at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong on Saturday 26 February, achieved excellent results totalling HKD 37'337’125. A remarkable 88.5% of the 452 timepieces offered were sold representing 132.47% by value. In addition to the strong in-room presence, the auction enjoyed active Internet bidding, in addition to the many telephone and commission bidders. International interest came from across the globe, including the United States, Spain, Japan, Macao and The Russian Federation.
“We are encouraged by the superb results we achieved today for our first auction of the year,” said Julien Schaerer, Auctioneer & Watch Director. "Chinese bidders were very active, confirming their increasing strength and interest in pocket watches as well as in modern timepieces.”
The highlight of the sale was the The Ostrich Fan Watch - Emperor Napoleon III Presentation Czapek & Cie, Place Vendôme 23 (Paris), No.1840 (lot 452). This truly magnificent and particularly rare precious fan sold for an outstanding HKD 2’060’000. Another exceptional timepiece that achieved an outstanding result was the “The Music Of Love Repeating Musical Watch” with See-Saw and Concealed Erotic Automatons, undoubtedly the work of the Genevan watchmaker Henry Capt (lot 451), selling for HKD 1’820’000.
Excellent prices were achieved for Patek Philippe watches. The Celestial Ref. 5102 (lot 442), was acquired for HKD 1’460’000; the Patek Philippe Ref. 5004 in yellow gold (lot 443) sold for HKD 1’220’000. Furthermore, the Patek Philippe Ref. 918 (lot 392) brought a noteworthy HKD 572’000. Lot 438, a Patek Philippe Ref. 5350R, in pink gold, advanced research limited edition with silicon escape wheel, sold for HKD 548’000. Finally, the Patek Philippe Ref. 3940 Platinum “Third Generation” (lot 425) attained HKD 512’000, while the Patek Philippe Minute-Repeater & Split-Seconds Chronograph retailed and cased by Tiffany & Co., New York (lot 388) achieved HKD 450’000.
In addition, Breguet timepieces obtained noteworthy results, with the “Tourbillon Skeleton Perpetual", Ref. 3755 (lot 167) selling for HKD 1’124’000 and the “Marine Hora Mundi, Automatique", Ref. 3701 selling for HKD 716’000. Moreover, Rolex references also brought very good results; the Rolex 6538, Big Crown gilt 4-lines "Oyster Perpetual, 200 m/660 ft, Submariner, Officially Certified Chronometer" (lot 305) attained HKD 716’000 and the Rolex, “Oyster Perpetual, Officially Certified Chronometer,” Ref. 6102, Blue Enamel Dial ‘Bombay’ (lot 307) was sold for HKD 650’000. Furthermore, the A. Lange & Söhne "Double Split Flyback", Ref. 404.035 (lot 166) reached a notable HKD 572’000 and the F.P. Journe, “Invenit et Fecit”, Tourbillon Souverain à Remontoir d'Egalité avec Seconde Morte, No. 349-TN (lot 163) achieved HKD 536’000.
Impressive results can be noted for coin watches with the “Libertad - Independencia" Rolex, “Cellini”, Ref. 3612 (lot 340), an 18K yellow gold coin wristwatch set into a 50 Peso Mexican Gold, that sold for HKD 400’000, five times its high estimate. The Patek Philippe Ref. 802 (lot 338), a very rare 18K yellow gold keyless coin watch set into a 20 US dollar coin from 1908 attained HKD 287’500, three times its high estimate.
Antiquorum’s next auction will take place in New York on March 10 and will offer, for the first time at auction, a unique and historically important minute-repeating Patek Philippe ref. 2419 wristwatch retailed by Cartier in 1950.