Legends Of Time Highest Ever Total For A Various Owner Watches Sale At Christies

Almost a month ago, Alexandre Bigler, Vice President and Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia Pacific, told The Hour Markers - “May 22, 2021 will be a date that will go down in the annals of watch auctions around the world”. In hindsight, it almost seems like a prophecy. On point Mr. Bigler. With a combined sell-through rate of 85%, the Day & Evening sales combined a total of US$34,850,855 (HK$269,277,500), a Highest Ever Total for a Various-Owner Watches Sale at Christie’s. 

The evening sale, themed as The Legends of Time, was a 100% sellout, totaling HK$144,435,000 / US$18,693,293 / EUR15,254,936, and 152% hammer above low estimate. As mentioned in THM’s top picks (https://thehourmarkers.com/2021/04/christies-hong-kong-sets-the-stage-for-the-auction-of-the-decade-in-asia/), leading the sales was Patek Philippe - a unique, exceptional and historically highly important 18k gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with English calendar, leap year indication and “no moon”, ref. 3448 “Alan Banbery”, specially modified by request of Henri and Philippe Stern in 1975, as a unique piece for presentation to Alan Banbery, manufactured in 1970, HK$29,050,000 / US$3,759,755 / EUR 3,068,203, setting a new auction record for the reference. 

Of all the 18 lots offered in the evening sale, let's discover the world record breakers.

PATEK PHILIPPE: A magnificent and important 18K pink gold World Time wristwatch with cloisonné enamel dial depicting the eastern hemisphere.

Ref. 1415, manufactured in 1949

Auction World Record for the Reference

Price Realised: HK$17,650,000 / US$2,284,326

More than double its low estimate of HK$8,000,000 / US$1,035,389

PATEK PHILIPPE : An exceptional 18k gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds and cloisonné enamel dial, "The Lighthouse",

Ref. 2481, manufactured in 1954

Auction World Record for the Reference

Price Realised: HK$7,810,000 / US$1,010,798

Almost 4 times over the low estimate of HK$2,000,000/ US$258,847

PATEK PHILIPPE : A unique and highly important 18k pink gold ‘spider lugs’ chronograph wristwatch with tachymeter and engraved bezel,

Ref. 1579, retailed by Gobbi Milano, manufactured in 1955

Auction World Record for the Reference

Price Realised: HK$5,500,000 / US$711,830

PATEK PHILIPPE : A magnificent and very rare 18k gold automatic perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases and leap year indication

Ref. 3450, retailed by Gübelin, manufactured in 1985

Auction World Record for the Reference

Price Realised: HK$4,375,000 / US$556,228

PATEK PHILIPPE : An extremely rare and impressive 18k pink gold automatic wristwatch with black enamel dial

Ref. 2526, manufactured in 1957

Auction World Record for the Reference

Price Realised: HK$5,250,000 / US$679.474

More than double its high estimate of HK$2,200,000/ US$284,732

Full results of the Evening Auction: The Legends of Time

The day sale “An Exceptional Season of Watches” offered extremely rare vintage and modern timepieces from legendary and emerging brands, with almost half of the lots sold above high estimates. Close to a third of the timepieces were hammered to online buyers via Christie’s Live™. The top lot of this sale was an important Patek Philippe, the only known 18k gold split seconds chronograph wristwatch retailed by Gübelin, ref. 1436, manufactured in 1965, which was acquired for HK$ 5,500,000 / US$711,830, more than double its low estimate of HK$ 2,400,000 / US$310,617 and set a new auction record for the reference. 

A record for the reference was set by F.P. Journe - an important platinum wristwatch with power reserve, made and presented to pay tribute to George Daniel, Chronomètre Souverain model, circa 2010, realised HK$3,250,000 / US$420,627.

The selection of Rolex timepieces attracted passionate bidding, led by the extremely rare stainless steel chronograph triple calendar wristwatch, ref. 6036, “Jean Claude Killy” Model with “Red Depth”, circa 1953, which sold for HK$5,250,000 / US$679,474, more than double its high estimate of HK$2,400,000 / US$310,617. 

An impressive and rare 18k pink gold, diamond and rainbow-coloured multi gem-set automatic chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Daytona Rainbow Model, ref. 116595rbow, circa 2019, which realised HK$3,500,000 / US$452,982, topped the curation of modern timepieces.

Full results of the Day Auction: An Exceptional Season of Watches

Alexandre Bigler, Vice President and Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia Pacific, commented: “Today marked a monumental chapter in watch auction history as our two live sales combined fetched the highest ever sale total for a various-owner Watches auction at Christie's worldwide, setting a new benchmark for the category. Over 50,000 viewers tuned into our auction pre-show conversation with historian, author and watch expert Nick Foulkes, followed by The Legends of Time. Our inaugural Watches evening sale was the first white glove auction of the Spring season and its historic result cements Christie's Asia as the preferred platform for watch collectors and connoisseurs to acquire and offer the very finest horological treasures from across the globe. We are also thrilled to continue Christie's market leadership in offering the most valuable and finest Patek Philippe timepieces at auction and look forward to extending the strong buying momentum in our upcoming online sale: “Watches Online: From 1800 to 2010” (23 May – 3 June).”