Racing Legends Highlight Bonhams’ Upcoming Watch Sale in Hong Kong

Summary

• Bonhams’ Hong Kong Watch Auction on May 23 will feature rare, racing-inspired watches
• Highlights include a Richard Mille UP-01 Ferrari and an Audemars Piguet Laptimer Schumacher
• Sale also offers rare Patek Philippe and Piaget stone-dial timepieces

Coming up later on in the month, Bonhams will present a Hong Kong Watches featuring a curated lineup of notable timepieces. This includes racing-inspired watches as well as other rare and unconventional timekeepers from prestigious watchmakers and Maisons.

Leading the sale are exquisite pieces from Richard Mille, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe, alongside two significant single-owner collections. Among the lot, an ultra-thin Richard Mille UP-01 Ferrari 2024 limited edition is spotlighted. This timepiece exemplifies Richard Mille’s commitment to pushing design and engineering boundaries, resulting in a marvel of minimalist design measuring just 1.75mm thick and weighing 2.82 grams. With only 150 pieces created, this rare watch is considered a grail-level item for collectors.

Another significant lot is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher from circa 2015, a forged carbon and titanium skeletonized flyback chronograph designed in honor of the legendary F1 driver. This limited edition of 20 pieces is in brand-new condition.

Further highlights of the racing theme include a Hublot LaFerrari timepiece from around 2018. Also a limited-edition production, this piece features a carbon fiber, titanium and diamond-set skeletonized vertical tourbillon. Its design draws inspiration from the LaFerrari hypercar, featuring exposed inner workings reminiscent of the car’s engine.

The sale also features a limited-edition Richard Mille Bonbon Collection “Sucette” circa 2019. Offered for the first time at auction, this timepiece is known for its vibrant, candy-inspired design with a ceramic and pink gold case.

The Hong Kong Watches sale will also celebrate the artistry of enamel in watchmaking with Patek Philippe’s “Rare Handcrafts” timepieces. Notable examples include a rare limited-edition Patek Philippe Calatrava “Mount Everest” from circa 2015, a white gold wristwatch with a Cloisonné enamel dial. Another is a limited-edition Patek Philippe Calatrava “Dom Robert” from circa 2022, a white gold and diamond-set wristwatch with a Grisaille enamel dial featuring a bird motif, inspired by the tapestries of the French artist-monk. The sale also includes neo-vintage timepieces and Piaget watches with exceptional stone dials from two single-owner collections.

Bonhams’ Hong Kong Watches sale will take place at its Six Pacific Place auction house on May 23, 2025.