Important Watches: Featuring "The Chronicle" and "The Generations" Collections

This spring, the Important Watches auction in Hong Kong brings a magnificent gathering of the world’s finest timepieces that is seldom seen at any one time. Our offering includes contemporary and neo-vintage Grand Complications, limited editions, unique pieces, artisan rare handicraft pieces and groundbreaking high-precision watches by the most revered independent makers. Also on offer are three individual private collections of spectacular world-class modern wristwatches, brought together with consideration, passion and connoisseurship. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Audemars Piguet, and to celebrate this significant milestone we have curated an impressive selection of iconic models of the brand.

Notable highlights include a phenomenal array of Cartier timepieces, featuring the rarely seen platinum ‘Crash’ and a white gold diamond-set Crash. From Patek Philippe, we offer some of the brand’s important modern and neo-vintage wristwatches, including two 40th Anniversary Nautilus, reference 5976 and 5711; a stunning Nautilus 5711 with baguette ruby bezel; reference 3970 in both platinum and yellow gold; a white gold Gondolo reference 5100 10-day power reserve; a cloisonné dial World Time reference 5131G in white gold; and a beautiful pocket watch with a painted scene by artist Suzanne Rohr after Salomon van Ruysdael’s Rivierlandschap met veerpont (1649). In contrast is the amazing Rolex reference 6100 featuring a precious and spectacular ‘Dragon’ cloisonné enamel dial. The watches of Richard Mille are always among the highlights of every auction: three standout diamond-set Richard Mille wristwatches include the white gold RM004 Felipe Massa set with baguette diamonds; the platinum RM007 and the pink gold RM023 both lavishly set with diamonds.

Three important private collections form the backbone of this auction. The first, Stories in Time: A Collection of Exceptional watches, will be sold over the 2025 international auction season at Christie’s in Geneva, Dubai, New York, and here in Hong Kong. Formed over the past 30 years, the collection is particularly strong in the work of independent watchmakers, including the phenomenal Greubel Forsey titanium double tourbillon limited edition and MB&F’s ‘Legacy Perpetual Zirconium Perpetual Calendar’ and the avant-garde ‘Horological Machine No.11, Architect Blue’ flying tourbillon. Remarkable wristwatches by Urwerk, Kari Voutilainen, Moser, Ulysse Nardin, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Harry Winston will greatly appeal to collectors seeking the finest examples of haute horlogerie.

The Chronicle Collection is a small but exquisite private collection largely devoted to Patek Philippe’s modern complicated watches. Rich pickings for both collectors and those looking for wearable classics, the collection includes Annual Calendars, World Timers and Nautiluses, including the white gold reference 5740, steel 5990, bicolour 5980 and pink gold 5711. One of the great complications, the split-seconds reference 5004 cased in platinum is a further highlight of the collection.

Offering more exceptional Patek Philippe timepieces, we are delighted to announce Part 2 of the superb Generations Collection. Part 1, which was presented in Hong Kong in May 2024, saw 100% of lots sold. The strength of the Generations Collection is its wide range of luxury sports watches including Aquanaut references 5167; 5164; 5168 and Nautilus references 5990 pink gold; 5740 perpetual calendar; 5726 steel; 5712 moon phase calendar, examples in white gold and pink gold; 5980 pink gold chronograph.

We hope that this auction will enthral and inspire both new and established collectors who will have the opportunity to obtain watches, many of which, have been the prized possessions of notable private collectors and never offered for sale before.

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