Hong Kong – Bonhams Hong Kong Watches saw a rare limited production prototype Richard Mille, Rafael Nadal, reference RM27-01, carbon skeletonized tourbillon wristwatch, circa 2014 steal the show on 28 May. The coveted timepiece came into fruition in 2008 when Richard Mille partnered with tennis legend Rafael Nadal to deliver the first of what would be one of the most iconic collaborations in watchmaking history. The timepiece inspired by this collaboration surpassed its estimate to achieve HK$9,148,000, setting a new highest value record for a wristwatch sold at Bonhams.
Sharon Chan, Head of department, Director of Watches, Asia, commented: "Hong Kong Watches included some highly sought-after independent watchmakers that represented some of the leading names of desirable watches. We were encouraged to see the market enthusiastically embrace the diverse array of brands we assembled. Several lots smashed through their estimates, achieving prices far beyond expectations - a testament to our deep market insights and expert curation. It was no surprise that there was demand for the rare Richard Mille, Rafael Nadal tourbillon wristwatch, especially with its engraving on the back "PROTO-06" denoting that it was one of the extremely few prototypes created for VIP clients to trial before the final limited reference went into production. The wristwatch achieved a new record as the highest value timepiece to be sold at Bonhams, indicating the ongoing strength of the Asian market."
Another notable lot was a limited-edition Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron tourbillon wristwatch, circa 2023. The collaboration between Jacob & Co. and Bugatti was formed in 2019 where they went on to produce unparalleled timepieces inspired by hyper cars. With an emphasis on automotive strength and agility, the timepiece features an automotive inspired case design and see-through casing that evokes the curves of the Chiron's chassis. Jacob & Co. have re-envisioned these elements to create a fresh design that truly mimics the automotive experience on the wrist. The unique and innovative sculpted titanium and pink gold skeletonised flying tourbillon manual wind timepiece sold for HK$1,528,000.
Other sale highlights included:
• A Cartier Crash, first created in London in 1967. The legendary design features an asymmetric twisted and dented watch case, an astounding creation from the mind of Jean-Jaques Cartier. The rare limited production Cartier Crash, yellow gold manual wristwatch, sold for HK$1,147,000.
• An Audemars Piguet, Code 11.59, reference 26395BC watch, circa 2019. The white gold, blue enamel dial minute repeater with the patented supersonnerie technology to create the exceptional acoustic sound of enhancing the volume of the chimes, sold for HK$994,600.
• An F.P. Journe Octa Reserve 'Brass movement', circa 2006. F.P. Journe, founded in 1999, initially crafted its watch movements from brass, resulting in a limited production of about 2,000 pieces making the early brass movements highly sought after in the market. The timepiece on offer, a beautiful example of independent watchmaking, crafted in platinum with a power reserve indicator, date, and rare pink gold dial, sold for HK$702,500.
• An Otsuka Lotec, No.6, stainless-steel wristwatch with retrograde hours and minutes, circa 2019. This lot from the Japanese independent watchmaker Otsuka Lotec attracted fierce competition from collectors and sold for HK$204,800, ten times over its pre-sale estimate.
• A rare Corum, heritage Taiwan yellow gold coin wristwatch, circa 1981. Ingeniously incorporating both the front face of the coin for its dial and the reverse face for its case back, this innovative piece achieved HK$230,400, eight times over its pre-sale estimate.
Previous Bonhams watches records include:
• Bonhams Hong Kong Watches, 20 June 2021, a rare Patek Philippe, reference 5033, platinum and diamond-set minute repeating annual calendar wristwatch, circa 2011. Sold for HK$5,627,500.
• Bonhams London, New Bond Street, 16 June 2021, an exceptional George Daniels Millennium, made in 1999. The fine and rare 18K gold limited-series automatic centre seconds wristwatch with co-axial escapement sold for £519,000.