The auction will be featuring one of the most sought-after and elusive wristwatches, the Patek Philippe Reference 2523 Worldtime as a part of the list of the timepieces being offered at the Hong Kong Watch Auction: Five by Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo. Comprising a 168 lots, the sale will include noteworthy vintage and contemporary wristwatches, as well as pocket watches and enamel clocks and will be held at the Mandarin Oriental on 28 November 2017.

Kazuhiko Fujimoto, Acting Head of Watches, Asia, and Aurel Bacs, Senior Consultant, said: “Our international team of specialists searched the world to find this selection of superb timepieces that will appeal to a wide range of watch collectors across markets. Headlining the sale will be the Patek Philippe Reference 2523, one of the rarest wristwatches produced by the historic firm. A yellow gold world time wristwatch made for the rising “jet-set” in 1953, the model, together with its sister model, the 2523/1, are the only known Patek Philippe references to feature two crowns. Hardly ever seen on the market, its case remarkably has never been polished, making it one of the best-preserved examples to appear in recent memory. Intriguingly, this rare reference, powered by Louis Cottier’s revolutionary world time system, did not achieve tremendous success when it launched in 1953. Consequently, few were sold, and today, the reference 2523 ranks among the world’s most sought after watches. The two crowns were ahead of their time, and the oversized, 36mm diameter was also deemed excessive back then, but is now perfect for modern tastes. Today, this timepiece is recognised for its pioneering, perfectly balanced design – chronicling a historic moment in watchmaking history that was ushered in by the jet age.”

Highlights from the much-awaited auction below:

Patek Philippe Reference 2523 Worldtime

An important and extremely rare worldtime wristwatch with two crowns and guilloche dial, reference 2523, manufactured in 1953.

Estimate

HKD 10,000,000 - 20,000,000 / USD 1,250,000 – 2,500,000

Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona “Tropical Lemon”

An extremely rare, fine and attractive 14k gold chronograph wristwatch with topical Paul Newman ‘lemon’ grené dial, white graphics and 14k gold bracelet, reference 6241, manufactured in 1969.

Estimate

HKD 1,600,000 - 3,200,000 / USD200,000 – 400,000

Patek Philippe Reference 1463

An early and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch tachometer scale, reference 1463, manufactured in 1942.

Estimate

HKD 1,600,000 - 3,200,000 / USD200,000 – 400,000

Patek Philippe Reference 1579

An important, probably unique, very attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with Breguet numerals, reference 1579, manufactured in 1952.

Estimate

HKD 1,200,000 - 2,400,000 / USD150,000 – 300,000

Patek Philippe Reference 5073

A highly attractive, large and impressive platinum and diamond-set minute repeater perpetual calendar with moonphases, produced only upon special request, fitted presentation box with original certificate, reference 5073, manufactured in 2011.

Estimate

HKD 3,200,000 - 5,600,000 / USD 400,000 – 700,000

A. Lange & Söhne, The Lange 1 Tourbillon, “Handwerkskunst” from original owner

A very fine and rare limited edition platinum tourbillon wristwatch with black enamel dial, date and hacking mechanism, manufactured in 2014.

Estimate

HKD 1,300,000 - 1,800,000 / USD 162,500 - 225,000