Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction ONE – our picks

Phillips again put together a very fine catalogue for the Hong Kong Watch Auction ONE. These are the six lots that stood out.

Vacheron & Constantin 4178

An early and rare 4178 chronograph in stainless steel and rose gold, with a two-tone champagne dial. The colour combination works beautifully: steel case, rose gold lugs, pushers and crown, and a dial with red gold hands and numerals in unrestored condition. It is not known exactly how many steel and steel-and-gold examples were made; the archives state 191.

Lot 145, estimate US$30,000–50,000.

Audemars Piguet, 1918

A rare early wristwatch in a tonneau-shaped yellow gold case, supplied with its matching presentation box. At almost a hundred years old, and in the condition described in the catalogue, it is a true time capsule.

Lot 287, estimate US$25,000–35,000.

Audemars Piguet tonneau-shaped yellow gold wristwatch from 1918 with Roman numerals and a cream dial on a tan strap — Audemars Piguet, 1918 – tonneau case in yellow gold

Patek Philippe 565

The legendary reference 565 is among our favourite Patek Philippe wristwatches. This example comes in a steel case with a beautifully aged dial, confirmed by the Extract from the Archives. An unusual detail: the last four digits of the serial number are engraved between the lugs at six o’clock.

Lot 203, estimate US$18,500–32,000.

Patek Philippe reference 565 in steel with a champagne dial, applied markers and sub-seconds on a black strap — Patek Philippe 565 in steel

Rolex 6239 Cosmograph

A legendary Daytona reference with a superb black dial signed “Solo Rolex” at twelve o’clock. The watch is in good overall condition with a nicely aged dial.

Lot 226, estimate US$50,000–75,000.

Rolex 6239 Cosmograph in steel with a black dial, white sub-dials and a steel bracelet — Rolex 6239 with “Solo Rolex” black dial

A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour le Mérite

Lange’s design and movement architecture make its watches, to our eyes, the most beautiful being made today, and the Tourbograph Pour le Mérite is a grail watch. Only 51 were made; this one is number 23 and in excellent condition.

Lot 338, estimate US$300,000–625,000.

A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour le Mérite in white gold with the tourbillon visible at six o’clock and blued hands — A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour le Mérite, number 23 of 51

Vianney Halter Antiqua

Vianney Halter is among the most gifted independent watchmakers, and this Antiqua is also in excellent condition. The hand finishing is extraordinary, and it is a very special way of telling the time, with a perpetual calendar.

Lot 325, estimate US$30,000–50,000.

Vianney Halter Antiqua in steel with three sub-dials and a date window on a black strap — Vianney Halter Antiqua

Photographs: Phillips.