A collection of 100 modern watches from a single owner carrying an estimate of between $2.3 million and $3.5 million is to be offered by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong tomorrow.  

Meticulously curated over the past decade, this collection are a portrayal of a gentleman of passion and refinement with a distinctive taste for a bold and masculine aesthetic, says Sotheby’s.

The selection offered, comprising more 108 timepieces, illustrates a zealous pursuit for the finest and rarest in prestigious sports watches, ranging from simple time-only Rolex to rare limited editions by other renowned makers, such as a Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon 1 and an Audemars Piguet Carbon Concept. 

Other highlights include the Panerai “Lo Scienziato” skeletonised tourbillon and over 50 other special limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak wristwatches. 

Tim Bourne, Sotheby’s Worldwide Head of Watches, says: “This delightful selection of over 100 watches speaks volumes about a masculine personality and a dynamic lifestyle at its finest. The wide variety and sheer quantity of rare limited editions vividly reflect the passion and commitment that have been fuelling the collection over the years, highlighted by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Gyrotourbillon 1, not only highly complicated but also exquisitely crafted with creative visuals. This collection epitomising ultimate robustness, strength and elegance will surely appeal to collectors who have a taste for speed and style.” 

Here’s a look at some of the timepieces on offer:


JAEGER-LECOULTRE 

Gyrotourbillon 1, circa 2008, est $150,000-250,000 
The impressive Gyrotourbillon 1 by Jaeger-LeCoultre has carved its mark in the art of watchmaking - as the first spherical tourbillon the world has ever seen. At the heart of this horological marvel is the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 177 featuring the multi-axis spherical tourbillon, a running equation of time indicated by two hands overlapping four times a year, as well as a perpetual calendar equipped with four retrograde hands. Crafted from aeronautical high-performance aluminium, the tourbillon carriage weighs only 0.035 grammes. With 679 miniscule parts, the highly complex watch classifies as a grande complication of the highest order. 

AUDEMARS PIGUET

Royal Oak Carbon Concept, circa 2008, est $150,000-250,000 
Launched in 2008, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Carbon Concept was the first watch with both case and movement made of “forged” carbon, which is made of carbon fibre compressed in the presence of a special polymer at a temperature close to 240 deg C and an enormous pressure of 7.5 tonnes per square-centimetre. The use of forged carbon combined with ceramic and blackened titanium gives it an incredible strength and lightness of 90 grammes, despite its massive proportions. The 384-part calibre 2895 is a technological powerhouse that incorporates a tourbillon, chronograph and 10-day power reserve. The linear chronograph minute counter is presented with an unusual double vertical scale. With its octagonal bezel and faceted hooded lugs, the Carbon Concept remains true to the bold aesthetics of the series while marking a wonderful attempt in technically expanding the Royal Oak line.

AUDEMARS PIGUET 

Millenary Maserati MC12, circa 2009, est $100,000-150,000 
Launched in 2006 with a very limited production of 150 pieces to commemorate the success of the Maserati MC12 in the 2005 FIA GT Manufacturers’ Cup, Millenary MC12 represents the beginning of Audemars Piguet’s line of automotive-themed watches. The watch not only features the characteristic “Millenary” oval case and the Maserati Trident, but also the colours of the road-going Maserati MC12 “super car” painted in blue and white, which was homologated by the FIA GT1 Championship. The calibre 2884 movement of this avant-garde timepiece features a one-minute tourbillon and a 30-minute chronograph function with pushers uniquely placed at ten and two o’clock positions. The skeletonised centre reveals a distinctive blue bridge made of eloxed aluminium, flanked by a tachymeter on the off-centred dial frame and a 10-day power reserve indicator on the left. This remarkable timepiece will certainly impress automotive aficionados and connoisseurs with a taste for futuristic aesthetics. 

AUDEMARS PIGUET 

Millenary Carbon One, circa 2010, est $80,000-120,000 
Introduced by Audemars Piguet to enrich the Millenary collection, the Millenary Carbon One Tourbillon Chronograph is regarded by fashion aficionados and watch connoisseurs as one of the most iconic timepieces by the brand in the past few years. The case is crafted from ultra-light forged carbon developed by the brand, whose physical characteristics presented a great challenge to moulding the case into its iconic oval shape. Weighing a mere 69.44 grammes, the forged carbon case is complemented by a bezel, crown and pushers of matching black shiny texture in black ceramic. The completely proprietary movement calibre 2884 is equipped with a tourbillon, a chronograph and a 10-day power reserve achieved by twin barrels, and can be admired through the skeletonised dial. Only available in a limited edition of 120 pieces, the Audemars Piguet Millenary Carbon One Tourbillion Chronograph is undoubtedly a technical marvel.

AUDEMARS PIGUET 

Jules Audemars, circa 2005, est $80,000-120,000 
With a long-standing history of creating complications, Audemars Piguet perfectly combined two of the most sophisticated functions in watchmaking, tourbillon and minute repeater, in the present example. While both functions originated in pocket watches, technical innovations later enabled them to be sized appropriately for wristwatches. Completed with the blue mother-of-pearl dial, this watch exemplifies Audemars Piguet’s technical and aesthetic excellence in haute horlogerie. 

PANERAI 

Pam00348 “Lo Scienziato” Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramica, circa 2010, est $100,000-150,000 
The PAM00348 “Lo Scienziato” (the scientist) pays tribute to Galileo Galilei, one of the greatest Italian scientists in history who tackled several time-measurement problems that marked a turning point in horology. Founded in Florence, Italy, home of Galileo Galilei, Panerai shared the same core value of avant-garde and innovation with this genius scientist. Panerai PAM00348 is the first skeletonised watch introduced by the brand and received immediate attention from media and collectors. It is powered by the in-house Panerai P.2005/S calibre, a skeletonised version of the well-known P.2005 movement that sports an impressive number of features including a 30-second rotating tourbillon, a power reserve display and a second time zone indication. Limited to 30 pieces made exclusively for boutiques, this watch is a true collector’s item for Panerai aficionados.