Press Release Hong Kong For Immediate Release Hong Kong Rhonda Yung +852 2822 8143 rhonda.yung@sothebys.com Flora Tse +852 2822 8147 flora.tse@sothebys.com WT Fu +852 2822 8146 wt.fu@sothebys.com IMPORTANT WATCHES SALE TO BE HELD ON 7 th OCTOBER 2008 HIGHLIGHTING CONNOISSEUR S CHOICE SERIES - THE MOST DESIRABLE LIMITED PRODUCTION AND LIMITED EDITION WATCHES FROM PATEK PHILIPPE, A. LANGE & SÖHNE, PARMIGIANI, JACOB & CO., PANERAI, VACHERON CONSTANTIN, OMEGA AND OTHERS. Pictured above: A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite No. 8/51 (est. HK$4 5 million) Hong Kong, August 2008 Sotheby s Hong Kong s Important Watches Autumn Sale 2008 takes place on 7 th October 2008 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and will offer extraordinary and highly sought-after watches from the world s most renowned brands. Over 220 lots are expected to raise in excess of HK$55 million. To enhance their exceptional rarity, particular highlights of this exquisite collection are numbered one or eight.
Ms Vanessa Herrera, Head of Watches Department, Sotheby s China and Southeast Asia, said, The hugely successful white-glove sale of the Legacy of a Collector thematic auction in April demonstrated the leadership of Sotheby s Hong Kong in offering rare and captivating watches of the highest quality. Watch collecting in Asia has reached new heights in recent years, with record auction sales. Voracious demand for high-end timepieces has created a scarcity at the retail level, a demand that Sotheby s is uniquely positioned to fill. We are delighted to offer in this sale the Connoisseur s Choice thematic series comprising 12 lots of exquisite watches which are not available anywhere else, and are honoured to partner with OMEGA in this landmark year for the charitable auction of the OMEGA Beijing 2008 Unique No. 8 Collection. Connoisseur s Choice Series The centrepiece of the Connoisseur s Choice series is a limited edition A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph Pour Le Mérite No. 8/51 (pictured p.1, est. HK$4 5 million), a platinum tourbillon split seconds chronograph wristwatch with power reserve indication and chain and fusée - the apex of this German watchmaker s sophisticated range. A superb example of traditional watchmaking coupled with modern aspects, this watch incorporates the chain and fusée mechanism with the tourbillon, perfecting the movement s long-term accuracy, in addition to a split seconds chronograph. This watch is composed of over 1,000 parts and due to the complexity of assembly, manufacture is limited to 12 pieces per year; only 51 pieces will be produced. This technical marvel has earned the prestigious German watchmaking award Pour Le Mérite. This extraordinary limited edition watch, boasts the auspicious number 8, signifying good fortune in Chinese culture, and is reserved for the brand s exclusive clientele. A similar model was sold for HK$5,927,500 at Sotheby s Hong Kong Spring Sale 2008, setting the world auction record for an A. Lange & Söhne Tourbograph wristwatch. A highly collectable piece is the truly rare and important limited edition Patek Philippe 18k Pink Gold Automatic Minute Repeating Wristwatch Ref. 5029R No.1 (est. HK$2.6 3.2 million), developed in 1997 to mark the opening of the brand s new factory in Geneva. This piece was the first of only 10 pieces of Ref. 5029R produced in pink gold, emphasizing the exceptional rarity of the present lot in the market. It features the signature officer-style case by Jean-Pierre Hagmann, the master case maker for Patek Philippe. The back of the hinged case is engraved Number One. 2
Another notable and highly complicated piece is the Patek Philippe 18k Pink Gold Perpetual Calendar Split Seconds Chronograph Wristwatch with Moon-phases Ref. 5004R (est. HK$1.6-2 million). Production of the Ref. 5004R began in 1995 and remains the most complicated model in Patek Philippe s line of chronographs. Composed of 407 miniscule parts, the present example houses calibre CHR 27-70 Q, and ingeniously combines a split seconds chronograph and perpetual calendar in a classic 18k pink gold case. The split seconds chronograph allows the measurement of multiple events and uses Patek Philippe s patented split seconds disengagement mechanism, accurate within a fraction of a second. The perpetual calendar function features a 24-hour display, leap year indication and precision moon-phases device. The Ref. 5004 is one of the only two split seconds chronograph wristwatches currently produced by Patek Philippe. Immensely complex, the split seconds chronograph is considered one of the most challenging complications in watchmaking, and they are therefore highly prized by collectors. Another highlight from the Connoisseur s Choice series is a fine and rare Patek Philippe 18k Pink Gold Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Wristwatch with Moon-phases, Ref. 5970R (est. HK$950,000 1.5 million). Production of the Ref. 5970 began in 2005, and were designed to replace the highly acclaimed Ref. 3970. Equipped with a perpetual calendar and chronograph function, the Ref. 5970 re-interprets its classic predecessor. The watch features a larger and more desirable 40mm case, compared with the 36mm case of the Ref. 3970. Apart from its impressive size, the Ref. 5970 s enlarged dial is distinguished by a tachometric scale, enabling its wearer to instantly calculate the speed of a timed interval. In 2007, the pink and white gold version of the Ref. 5970 was discontinued, and it is now only available in yellow gold. The pink and white gold versions are therefore extremely rare and highly desired by collectors. The extremely rare Patek Philippe Set of Four Platinum Rectangular Wristwatches with Enamel Dials Ref. 5076P Year of the Dog (pictured p.4; est. HK$1.6 2 million) are part of the brand s highly acclaimed Zodiac enamel series specially made for the Asian market. The Chinese Zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with a distinct animal representing each year of the cycle. The Year of the Dog is the 11th year in the 3
Chinese Zodiac. To the best of our knowledge, only 3 sets are produced annually to celebrate each year in the Chinese Zodiac. This is the first time that the current example has appeared at auction. Another finely crafted example on offer is the Patek Philippe Set of Four Platinum and Diamond Rectangular Wristwatches with Enamel Dials Ref. 5076P Boats (est. HK$2 2.5 million), which was produced exclusively for the brand s top clientele. These highly coveted boutique items are sold in two distinct sets of two wristwatches, all featuring different stylized enamel and diamond set boat scenes. Also, Patek Philippe wristwatches that combine diamond setting and enamelling techniques are little known to the market and for this reason are extremely desired by collectors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time a diamond set and enamel version of Ref. 5076P has appeared at auction. The technically innovative limited edition piece from the Swiss brand Parmigiani Bugatti Type 370 18k White Gold Cylindrical Wristwatch with 10-Day Power Reserve No. 06/10 (est. HK700,000 900,000) exemplifies the broad appeal of this sale. Inspired by the renowned Italian automobile company Bugatti, this watch housing a transversal movement by Parmigiani, arranges its constituent parts like an engine block on the wrist - along a horizontal rather than a vertical axis - the first ever seen in watch industry. In order to protect its transversal movement and to guarantee optimal shock-absorption, Parmigiani developed a system comparable to the chassis of an automobile: the movement is thus placed on "silent blocks". The time-setting and winding movements are revolutionary. A "choke", in the shape of an instrument external to the watch, is used to activate two crowns placed beneath the case. The "Bugatti Type 370", with a metallic blue dial, is limited to only 10 pieces, of which the present lot is numbered six. 4
An exceptional oversized limited edition Jacob & Co. Quenttin 18k White Gold Curved Rectangular Wristwatch with Tourbillon and 31-Day Power Reserve No. 38/99 (est. HK$1.33-1.8 million) will appear at auction for the first time. This futuristic wristwatch was first launched in 2007. Within the bold, oversized rectangular 18k white gold case, the Quenttin features a broad palette capturing the vertical movement. On the side, a tourbillon cage has been finely mounted vertically and can be admired through a sapphire crystal display in the case band. This innovative watch is limited to only 99 pieces in white gold, and the present example is numbered 38. Introduced in 2003, the extraordinary Franck Muller Platinum Three Dimensional Dual Axis Tourbillon Tonneau Form Wristwatch with Retrograde Seconds and 8-minutes Indication Revolution 2 Tourbillon No. 1 (est. HK$1.2-2 million) is part of a progression of innovative tourbillons by the brand. Featuring the first dual axis tourbillon employed in a wristwatch, this watch consists of a vertical carriage which rotates once every eight minutes while a horizontal carriage rotates once every minute in the manner of a traditional tourbillon. The Revolution 2 was in development for a number of years and due to its complexity, it appears only a handful was ever put into actual production. Arguably one of the most coveted modern models for the brand, the oversized limited edition Panerai Stainless Steel Wristwatch with the Angelus 8-Day Power Reserve Movement PAM00203 Luminor 1950 8-Day No 33/150 (est. HK$655,000 $800,000) was most certainly inspired by (and revived) Rolex s diving watch, Ref. 6152. To achieve greater water-resistance, Panerai determined that by reducing the winding frequency, the risk of leakage would be diminished. For this reason, Panerai decided to improve their diving watches with a manually wound Angelus calibre 8-day movement, providing up to 192-hour power reserve. The patented security crown guard shouldered the crown from shocks while still allowing the movement to be wound underwater. The new case is made in durable solid steel, replacing the welded wire loop lugs of the earlier model. The PAM00203 houses the refurbished original Angelus 8-day movement within a modern version of the 1940s Luminor case. The present model was manufactured in a limited series of 150 pieces and is numbered 33. 5
Lady s Timepieces The Important Watches Sale will also offer a collection of 16 trend-setting and desirable lady s watches from top brands such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Breguet and Vacheron Constantin. A gem in the sale is a magnificent and extremely rare Vacheron Constantin Kalla Vague No.1 18K white gold and step-cut diamond set lady s bracelet watch (est. HK$1 1.6 million). Set with 439 swirling step-cut diamonds weighing 43.67 carats, this stunning lady s watch exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of Vacheron Constantin s Kalla series. It is believed that fewer than 10 pieces have been produced. The present lot, engraved with No.1 on the case appeals to the discerning female collector. OMEGA Beijing 2008, Unique No. 8 Collection Charity Auction Sotheby s Hong Kong is honoured to partner with OMEGA in a remarkable charitable event, showcasing the extraordinary and one-of-a-kind OMEGA Beijing 2008 Unique No. 8 Collection, created to commemorate OMEGA s close relationship with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The collection features 35 distinctive OMEGA timepieces, including each of the 32 limited edition watches in the Beijing Olympic Collection and 3 Olympic Split Seconds Chronograph 1932 pocket watches. Each watch bears the limited edition number of 8, and is covered by an exclusive 8-year international warrant. The Collection is presented in a custom-made black lacquered walnut presentation cabinet reminiscent of traditional Chinese architecture, earning the Collection its nickname, The Pagoda. OMEGA will donate all of the proceeds from the auction to benefit the Chinese Athletes Educational Foundation (CAEF), an organization dedicated not only to the support of young athletes but to meeting the needs of youth affected by this year s tragic earthquake in Sichuan. Sotheby s will also donate part of its proceeds to the Foundation. In advance of the global auction, an exhibition tour of the Unique No. 8 Collection will bring it to OMEGA enthusiasts and Olympic collectors in major cities in Asia including Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. 6
* Estimates do not include buyer s premium ***Images available upon request*** sothebys.com NOTES TO EDITORS Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Auction 2008 Calendar Exhibition Date Auction Date Category 3rd October 4th October Modern and Contemporary Asian Art Evening Sale 3rd - 4th October 5th October 20th Century Chinese Art Contemporary Chinese Art 3rd - 5th October 6th October Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings Fine Chinese Paintings 3rd - 6th October 7th October Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Important Watches 3rd - 7th October 8th October Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Hong Kong Exhibition and Auction Venue Hall 2 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (New Wing) 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Important Watches Sale - Travelling Exhibition 6 th 7 th September Taipei 12 th 13 th September Singapore 15 th 16 th September Bangkok 21 st 22 nd September Beijing 24 th 25 th September Shanghai The information above might change. Please contact the press office for the latest update. 7