A Patek Philippe Wristwatch Owned by the Last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty Sells for US$6.2 Million

Phillips’ Imperial Patek Philippe Sale in Hong Kong Realizes HK$52 Million/ US$6.6 Million

A Patek Philippe Wristwatch Owned by the Last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty Sells for HK$49 Million/ US$6.2 Million

HONG KONG – 23 May 2023 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo, the worldwide market leader in watch auctions, is proud to announce that its landmark thematic auction, The Imperial Patek Philippe Sale, realized HK$52 million/ US$6.6 million. This historic evening held at Phillips’ new Asia headquarters in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District saw global participation from collectors across 56 countries, and a packed saleroom of collectors, journalists, and watch enthusiasts from across Asia witnessing this memorable auction. The auction was led by its star lot – the Patek Philippe reference 96 Quantieme Lune once belonging to Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, which sold for HK$49 million/ US$6.2 million. The timepiece sold to an Asian collector residing in Hong Kong on the phone after six minutes of spirited bidding.

Auctioneer Thomas Perazzi selling lot 3, a Patek Philippe Reference 96 Quantieme Lune wristwatch, former property of the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin-Gioro Puyi

Thomas Perazzi, Head of Watches, Asia, Phillips, said: “I am thrilled with this groundbreaking sale for the international collecting community which kicked off our first watch auction series taking place at Phillips’ new Asia headquarters. This historic sale was led by the priceless Patek Philippe ref. 96 Quantieme Lune which sold for HK$49million/ US$6.2 million and set three records – the highest result for any Patek Philippe reference 96 ever sold, a record of any wristwatch previously owned by Emperors that have been auctioned, and the most valuable lot ever sold by Phillips Watches in Asia. And we are proud of the enthusiastic response we have seen from collectors internationally, as the watch and artefacts toured across the globe and then which they attracted participants from 56 countries between the ages of 25 and 60 joining in this evening’s auction. We have also witnessed many collectors from different collecting categories such as Chinese paintings, ceramics and antiques who are new to Phillips vying for works offered in today’s sale. We will continue to achieve great heights in our upcoming sales in Hong Kong and into 2023.”

Aisin-Gioro Puyi (1906-1967) Photo by Ullstein Bild via Getty Images

A Patek Philippe Reference 96 Quantieme Lune formerly from the collection of Aisin-Giro Puyi

Lot ✱3 Patek Philippe Ref. 96QL An exceedingly prestigious, historically important and previously unknown platinum triple date wristwatch with small seconds, moon phases, roulette-dial, enamel Arabic numerals, pink gold Feuille hands, former property of the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin-Gioro Puyi. Estimate: HKD25,000,000/USD3,000,000. Sold for HK$48,850,000/USD6,200,000

Exceptional results also achieved for other artefacts offered in the sale. The red paper fan that Puyi personally inscribed and gifted to his interpreter Georgy Permyakov in Tokyo sold for HK$609,600/US$77,846, six times its pre-sale estimate. A manuscript notebook provides a never-before-seen glimpse into the mind of Puyi and a leather-bound edition of Confucius’ Analects sold for HK$952,500/ US$121,634, almost five times its pre-sale estimate.