A rare Patek Philippe platinum double-dialed wristwatch with 12 complications brought $1,503,839 at Sotheby’s on April 10, setting a world auction record for a modern wristwatch.
The sale of jewels and jadeite and watches totaled $47,483,465.
The watch, a highlight of a single-owner offering of 12 rare and exceptional wristwatches that totaled $4,571,792, was a Patek Philippe Ref 5002P Sky Moon Tourbillon, making its first appearance at auction in Asia
Launched in 2001, the Ref 5002 is the most complicated masterpiece ever made by Patek Philippe, and the first double-dialed wristwatch produced by the company. Housing 12 impressive complications controlled by 686 minuscule parts in a stunning platinum case, the Ref 5002P’s craftsmanship is unsurpassed with the dial and case band superbly hand-engraved with Patek Philippe’s Calatrava cross emblem.
Vanessa Herrera, acting head of Sotheby’s Hong Kong watches department, said, “Sotheby’s is committed to handling the best and rarest watches, asserting our expertise and leadership at the high end of the watch market. We are extremely pleased that with these spectacular results; Sotheby’s now holds the record for any modern wristwatch sold at auction, as well as the record for any watch sold at auction, a record set in 1999 for the sale of the Henry Graves Supercomplication.”
A complete review will appear in a future issue.
