On October 8, Sotheby's will be holding an "Important Watches" auction in Hong Kong. When it comes to the big fake watch auctions in Hong Kong, there are generally three constants in the catalog: replica watches with diamonds; replica watches from modern independents; and lots of modern Pateks ?some of them with diamonds. This Sotheby's sale doesn't fail to disappoint in those areas. Below are some of the highlights.
A. Lange & Söhne Langematik Anniversary
I just love this Langematik Anniversary fake watch in platinum from 2001. Just check out the gorgeous enamel dial, Roman numerals, and that red XII. This 37 mm fake watch is number 133 out of a limited edition of 500 and it also comes with a platinum Lange buckle. This is one of nine Langes in the sale.
Lot 2422 has an estimate of $15,482 to $20,643.
Breguet with Day, Date, and Moonphase, reference 3330
If a person is looking for a nice dress fake watch with moonphase, day, and date in the sub-$15,000 range, I think a secondhand Breguet is definitely a fake watch to consider. This 35 mm reference 3330 is just a beautiful fake watch with great symmetry, a beautiful guilloché dial, and easy legibility given that the hours and minutes are isolated to the lower portion of the dial.
Lot 2410 has an estimate of $12,902 to $15,482.
F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain
The F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain is certainly one of the more interesting chronographs currently on the market. This is a rare platinum version that includes a platinum buckle. This is one of three Journes in the sale.
Lot 2426 has an estimate of $45,157 to $64,510.
Greubel Forsey x2
There are two Greubel Forsey tourbillons coming up in this sale: a unique double tourbillon with custom indexes (Lot 2429, above) and a limited edition 24-second inclined tourbillon with blue dial (Lot 2161, below).
Lot 2429 has an estimate of $258,040 to $361,256.
Lot 2161 has an estimate of $232,236 to $322,550.
MB&F Horological Machine 3 Starcruiser
Secondhand MB&Fs are far from common. This pink gold Starcruiser is from 2012 and it will be interesting to see where the price on this piece falls.
Lot 2155 has an estimate of $45,157 to $58,059.
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph, reference 5020R
I really love the reference 5020 and I wrote about it back in 2011. It is estimated that fewer than 300 were produced, and it is for this reason that you don't typically see them for sale at auction. This rose gold example is just beautiful and I think the winning bidder will be quite pleased.
Lot 2371 has an estimate of $141,922 to $232,236.
Patek Philippe reference 5130P Mecca Edition
The 5130P Mecca Edition is another fake watch I wrote about back in 2011. The green enamel dial is just spectacular and collectors continue to prize this piece. It even appears that John Goldberger of Talking replica watches fame has one, according to this Instagram photo.
Lot 2440 has an estimate of $129,020 to $193,530. For comparison, Lot 2432 is a traditional 5130P and has an estimate of $25,804 to $36,126.
Patek Philippe Grande Complication Pocket Watch
The horological highlight of this sale for me is probably this unique grande complication Patek pocket fake watch from 1984. According to Sotheby's, "During the 1980's Patek Philippe embarked on the mission to produce a very small series of 'Grand Complication' pocket replica watches in the traditional way of how replica watches were produced in the company's early history, perpetuating their famed watchmaking skills. While all were based on the same 20''' movement, every fake watch is a unique piece with superb finish and bearing the testimony to the continuation of the renowned reputation of Patek Philippe to provide the best highly complicated timepieces."
While most were open-faced, this is the only hunting-cased pocket fake watch to come up for auction and features a two-train trip minute repeating grande and petite sonnerie perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph, moonphase, and to top it all off, painted enamel portraits by the enamel artisan G. Menni on both covers of the yellow gold case.
Horologically, this is just an insane piece. But the question from my point of view is whether the enamel actually detracts from the piece overall, as in this case it seems to be portraits of a son and daughter commissioned by their father. The enamel portraits have a bit of a 1980s look to them. I can only guess that the father never imagined the piece would be for sale.
So will the enamel artistry, which usually increases the value of a piece significantly, actually detract from this piece and keep bidders away? Perhaps not, but I'll admit that it creeps me out a little bit.
Lot 2121 has an estimate of $580,590 to $709,610.
Richard Mille RM 038 Bubba Watson Prototype
There are three Richard Milles in this sale, but I thought I would show you the Bubba Watson Prototype. Bubba famously wore one of these white replica watches when he won the Masters both in 2012 and earlier this year.
Lot 2157 has an estimate of 258,040 to $361,256.
For a look at the entire offering of lots in this sale, click here to see the virtual catalog and here to see the lots.
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