Christie's Hong Kong The Ultimate Collection 26 May 2023

Hong Kong, April 2023 – Christie's Hong Kong is honoured to present the Ultimate Collection, a singleowner collection to be offered at a live auction taking place on 26 May, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Each watch in the Ultimate Collection stands out for its rarity and significance in horological history but, and also for its pristine condition – some timepieces even remain "factory double-sealed." Over the past 20 years a discerning private collector has meticulously assembled the Ultimate Collection, which includes some of the most sought-after and hard-to-find models from prestigious watchmaking houses such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, and A. Lange & Söhne. The collection also features exceptional timepieces from renowned independent watchmakers such as F.P. Journe, considered the greatest living watchmaker, and the award-winning "Horological Brothers" Grönefeld, who received accolades at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in 2022.

Treasures in the collection encompass Patek Philippe sports models, special dials, and potentially unique commissioned pieces, such as the 'Breguet numerals' Ref. 5270G-024. Also offered are early A. Lange & Söhne 'Lange 1' masterpieces, and sought-after Rolex Daytonas, ranging from contemporary to vintage, including a notable and impeccable Paul Newman Ref. 6264.

Of particular significance in this collection are specially commissioned pieces by F.P. Journe, such as this Chronomètre à Résonance with a striking ice blue mother-of-pearl dial.

A possibily one-of-a-kind F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance and one of the super-exclusive ‘RT’ or ‘Résonance Trois’ edition, produced for one year only in celebration of the iconic model’s 20th anniversary in 2019. Only available as standard in either rose gold or platinum with 40 mm cases with correspondingly coloured dials, the present platinum watch is an exceptional piece fitted with a beautifully lustrous blue mother of pearl dial.

A F.P. Journe watch of this significance would only have been offered to a most valued and loyal client of the brand, such as the present owner, personally approved by Mr. Journe. It is estimated to fetch between HK$5,000,000 and HK$10,000,000.

This rare version of F.P. Journe’s second-generation Tourbillon Souverain, 'Reference TN' for 'Tourbillon Nouveau', fitted with a precious ruby dial, was made in a highly exclusive edition of only 20 pieces.

Usually hardstone dials are produced as a circular disk in order to make the cutting action simpler and to minimize the risk of stress points from corners. However, F.P. Journe characteristically took a different approach, due to the configuration of apertures on the Tourbillon Souverain dial. The two crescent shaped pieces above and below are complex with numerous curves and differing radii, as well as the screw holes which have to be drilled.

Ultra-exclusive limited series pieces such as this are rare, usually only available by invitation or upon request from F.P. Journe, and are now regarded as some of the most important examples of each model. Created circa 2019, it is estimated to fetch between HK$3,200,000 and HK$6,400,000.

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