7 Rare Watches at Antiquorum’s 40th Anniversary Auction


Patek Philippe Ref5004J - Lot 236Geneva-based Antiquorum Auctioneers turns 40 this year, and it is celebrating with an auction of “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces,” to be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, on Saturday, February 22. Among the highlights of the more than 250 timepieces on the block are a rare, steel Patek Philippe chronograph; a prototype Richard Mille tourbillon watch; and several vintage Rolexes.

Doubtless the headliner of the auction is the Patek Philippe Ref. 5004A stainless-steel wristwatch (Lot 250), with a split-seconds chronograph function, made in a limited edition of only 50 pieces.  Produced in 2011, this highly collectible timepiece also features a perpetual calendar with moon-phases, leap year, and 24-hour indication, and comes on a leather strap with a stainless-steel Patek Philippe deployant clasp. The watch is double sealed and accompanied by a fitted wooden box, an additional, solid stainless steel case back, a setting pin and a leather folio. Its pre-auction estimate is 4,000,000 to 5,000,000 HKD (all estimates are in Hong Kong dollars).

Patek Philippe Ref. 5004A - Lot 250

Another notable Patek watch up for auction is a Patek Philippe Ref. 5004J wristwatch with an 18k yellow gold case and black dial (Lot 236). Sold in September 2011, this watch is also equipped with a split-seconds chronograph, perpetual calendar with moon-phases, leap year, and 24-hour indication. Its leather strap has an 18k yellow gold deployant clasp, and it comes with a fitted box, Certificate of Origin, extra caseback and push pin. The certificate confirms that this Reference 5004J is the only known example of this watch in yellow gold with a black dial, and the only one ever to appear at auction, making it extremely rare. Pre-auction estimate: 2,500,000 – 3,100,000 HKD.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5004J - Lot 236Antiquorum’s first 40th anniversary auction also features several significant tourbillon wristwatches, including Lot 231, Richard Mille’s tonneau-shaped “Tourbillon Prototype” magnesium watch (Ref. RM038 AL MG PROTO 03). Sold on June 1, 2012, the extremely rare timepiece, with a magnesium-alloy case, features a visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, a 48-hour power reserve, and titanium, double-folding deployant clasp. It is accompanied by a fitted box, warranty, instructions and a set of golf clubs in a bag — presumably because this watch was a prototype of the model Richard Mille created for (and named after) pro golfer Bubba Watson. It’s estimated at 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 HKD.

Richard Mille RM038 - Lot 231Audemars Piguet collectors will appreciate Lot 84, the Audemars Piguet “Royal Oak Concept” carbon tourbillon chronograph (Ref. 26265 FO). Another exceedingly rare piece, this watch, which was sold in October 2011, features an unusual case made of forged carbon. It boasts a visible one-minute tourbillon regulator, an instantaneous “Dynamograph” mainspring torque indicator, a linear power reserve, an octagonal ceramic bezel, and a titanium deployant clasp. It comes with a wooden box, warranty, instruction booklet, and magnifying glass. Estimate: 1,200,000 – 1,700,000 HKD.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept - Lot 84

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