James Dean’s lucky pocketwatch was one of the main attractions at Antiquorum’s June 22nd Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces auction held in Hong Kong. As we reported two weeks ago, the piece’s estimated price was around US$5,000, but after several bids from around the world, the watch sold for eight times that estimated value at about $42,000 (HKD $325,000). The watch was made circa 1889 by Standard USA, featuring an Elgin movement and the initials “JD” engraved on the front cover.
Among the other top lots was a Patek Philippe Ref. 5029, minute repeater in 18K pink gold, of which only 10 limited edition pieces were made to commemorate the inauguration of the new Patek Philippe manufacture in Geneva in 1997. The watch sold for HKD$3,270,000.
The auction also saw the sale of a rare A. Lange & Söhne Ref 702.025F “Tourbograph Pour le Mérite” No 35/51, split-seconds chronograph with one-minute tourbillon regulator in platinum. The watch was made in a limited edition of 51 pieces in 2007.
