Christie's First To Bring Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Black Panther To Auction
Plus five vintage lots from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Rolex you need to see.
Christie’s Hong Kong will become the first auction house to list one of the most talked about watches of the year when it launches a huge online sale tomorrow.
Lot 46 represents the first time an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Black Panther Flying Tourbillon has been offered for sale at auction with Christie’s attaching an estimate of $380,000-650,000 USD.
The divisive watch only dropped in April as a 250-piece run, while an engraved piece-unique was auctioned off for charity, eventually selling for $5.2m USD and becoming the most expensive Audemars Piguet ever sold.
But the fortnight-long online sale has plenty to offer collectors of both modern and vintage watches, here are just a few.
Lot 45 – Audemars Piguet Royal Ref. 5402ST A Series
The A Series watches are the first 2,000 Royal Oaks ever made, produced in two batches of 1,000. This example is no. 843, placing it in the first batch of watches, which has developed a sought after “tropical” dial over the years, due to materials used to create the dial reacting to UV light. Estimate $50,000-100,000 USD.
Lot 20 – Patek Philippe Ref. 1579R Chronograph
One of only 82 known examples of the Patek Phillippe Ref. 1579 produced in pink gold in “largely untouched” condition, showing off the complex geometry of its so-called “spider lugs.”Despite being produced and sold more than 60 years ago, this example is offered with its original certificate of origin. Estimate $165,000-250,000 USD.
Lot 1 – Patek Philippe Ref.3939 Minute Repeater Tourbillon
This relatively modern Patek houses a two-gong minute repeater and a tourbillon in its modest 34mm platinum case. Its black enamel dial with white gold Breguet numerals sets it apart from regular 3939 pieces, which came with white enamel dials, with Christie’s describing it as “possibly unique.” Estimate $130,000-$230,000 USD.
Lot 21 – Patek Philippe Platinum with Date Ref. 3445
The Ref. 3445 was more commonly produced in white or yellow gold, making this platinum example all the more unusual. Powered by the Caliber 27-460 automatic movement, the 3445 features a date window at the three o’clock position and small seconds at the six o’clock. Estimate $50,000-85,000 USD.
Lot 171 – Rolex Ref. 8171 “Padellone”
One of only six known examples of the Rolex reference to feature the “HL Mark II Officially Certified Chronometer” and one of only 350 to have been produced in pink gold. The 38mm watch features small seconds and complete calendar complication, with pointer style date indication with two calendar windows for day and month. Estimate $150,000-$250,000 USD.
Bidding in Watches Online: The Marvelous Sale opens on 24 August until 7 September.
In other watch news, Watch Collecting lists Top 10 watch sales since launch.
