The “Important Watches I” auction, organized by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong on October 7, 2023, featured an exclusive selection of timepieces from the finest watch brands, chosen for their condition, rarity and quality. Total sale, including fees: $30,393,916 USD, representing 85% of the lots presented.
BEST RESULTS
Lot 2304: RICHARD MILLE, Reference RM53-02, Limited Edition, Blue sapphire skeleton bracelet watch with tourbillon regulator, circa 2022. Sold for $4,300,340 USD.
Lot 2293: RICHARD MILLE, Tourbillon Bubba Watson, Reference RM38-02, Limited Edition, Carbon skeleton wristwatch with tourbillon regulator, circa 2022, sold for $1,884,574 USD.
BEST PERFORMANCES
Lot 2209: VACHERON CONSTANTIN, Mercator, Reference 43050, Limited Edition launched to celebrate the retrocession of Hong Kong to China, Rose gold bracelet watch with champlevé enamel dial, circa 1997. 248% variation between low estimate and final result ($84,518 USD).
Lot 2181: A. LANGE & SÖHNE, Little Lange 1 Soirée, Reference 813.037, Limited Edition, White gold and diamond bracelet watch with mother-of-pearl dial, circa 2010. 223% variation between low estimate and final result ($26,123 USD).
Lot 2118: VIANNEY HALTER & GOLDPFEIL, Reference GPVH, White gold wristwatch with jumping hour and moon phases, circa 1995. 185% variation between low estimate and final result ($23,050 USD).
BREAKDOWN BY BRAND
RICHARD MILLE
Occupying first place in the best-priced sales ranking. RICHARD MILLE achieved the highest sales figure of $11,091,889 USD.
PATEK PHILIPPE
Occupying second place in the sales price ranking. PATEK PHILIPPE realized $10,503,345 USD.
ROLEX
With a watch that fetched $491,744 USD, ROLEX was the third best performing brand in the sale, with a result of $1,493,980 USD.
These three brands accounted for total proceeds of $23,089,214 USD, or 76% of the total sale.
AVERAGE PRICE PER LOT
Given the number of lots, 208 in all, including 31 unsold lots, the average price per lot was $171,717 USD.
CONCLUSION
This sale once again demonstrated the dynamism of the auction market, with the following brands in the top three: Richard Mille, Patek Philippe and Rolex.
GEOFFROY ADER
