Christie’s is preparing to mark a major milestone in its regional history with the upcoming launch of The Iconic 40 Watches Evening Sale, a highly anticipated auction taking place in Hong Kong on November 25. Commemorating four decades of operation in Asia, the landmark event will bring together an elite curation of 40 vintage and contemporary timepieces. The carefully selected lineup represents the pinnacle of horological artistry, featuring elaborate grand complications, familiar designs reimagined in previously unknown configurations, and a celebrated prize-winning observatory chronometer that underscores the historical depth of the catalog.
As the auction house prepares for the anniversary celebration, the spotlight naturally falls on the sheer breadth and pedigree of the items crossing the auction block. True to the upper echelons of high-end horological auctions, the catalog showcases a heavy concentration of pieces from the undisputed titans of traditional watchmaking, alongside stellar representations from modern independent watchmakers who have reshaped contemporary collecting habits over the past twenty years.
A Showcase of Historical Significance and Independent Mastery
Perhaps unsurprisingly for an evening sale dedicated entirely to defining icons of the craft, more than half of the featured watches—23 of the total 40 lots—bear the signature of Patek Philippe. The Geneva-based powerhouse anchors the auction with everything from historically vital pocket watches to gem-set contemporary marvels. However, the curation avoids a singular focus by integrating a small but exceptionally powerful contingent of independent watchmaking. Among these modern masterpieces are striking pieces by F.P. Journe, highlighted notably by a rare ruby-dialled Tourbillon Souverain and a classic 38 mm Chronomètre à Résonance, both of which command intense interest from contemporary collectors seeking avant-garde mechanical genius.
Among the standout historical highlights of the evening is Lot 4010, an extraordinary Patek Philippe tourbillon pocket watch that was awarded a prestigious first prize at the Geneva Observatory in 1931. The historical weight of this piece cannot be overstated. Its movement features a tourbillon cage crafted by none other than James Pellaton, one of the most legendary figures in the history of precision timekeeping and chronometer regulation. What makes this particular lot virtually unique in the annals of modern watch collecting is its complete set: it retains both its original yellow gold case paired with an enamel dial, as well as its antimagnetic steel competition case fitted with a sector dial. According to available records, no other Patek Philippe observatory tourbillon is publicly known to retain both distinct configurations, making it a museum-grade acquisition for the most discerning collector.
Shifting from historical pocket chronometers to contemporary complications, Lot 4021 offers a dazzling interpretation of celestial mechanics. The Patek Philippe Celestial reference 6104/12G-010 takes the intricate astronomical display directly descended from the monumental Star Caliber 2000 and marries it with a sophisticated white gold case. Elevating the piece further, the watch features a brilliant-cut baguette ruby bezel. This possibly unique configuration speaks directly to the accelerating collector demand for high-end, gem-set complications that successfully merge haute horlogerie with haute joaillerie.
The appreciation for traditional handcrafts is further reinforced by a pair of exceptional tourbillons that highlight the artistic lengths to which top-tier watchmakers will go. Lot 4027, the Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon reference 6002G-010, stands alongside Lot 4028, the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst. Together, these two pieces demonstrate the zenith of manual decoration. The Patek Philippe enchants with its thoroughly sculpted white gold case, while the Lange presents a mesmerizing, finely textured tremblage dial alongside an exquisitely hand-engraved movement, showcasing the distinct aesthetic philosophies of Swiss and German high watchmaking.
Preview and Auction Details
The exhibition and subsequent sale will unfold at Christie’s state-of-the-art regional headquarters located at The Henderson in Hong Kong. Prospective bidders, collectors, and horological enthusiasts will be able to examine the forty lots during a dedicated preview week, with the viewing galleries hosted on the seventh floor of the building, while the live evening auction will take place on the sixth floor.
The preview exhibition is open to the public daily from November 18 through November 25, welcoming visitors between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm local time. The live auction event is scheduled to commence at 6:00 pm on November 25. All proceedings will take place at Christie’s venue situated at The Henderson, 2 Murray Road, Central, Hong Kong, operating on Hong Kong Time (GMT+8).
