This May, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will present 258 carefully curated lots from May 23-25 at Phillips Asia headquarters. Selected highlights will embark on an international tour, making stops in Singapore (April 18-19), Taipei (May 3-4), and Geneva (May 7-11), before the full preview opens in Hong Kong on May 16.

19th-century masterpieces for the Chinese market

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this season’s auction is a dedicated evening session featuring 16 extraordinary 19th-century timepieces created specifically for the Chinese market. These museum-quality pieces — spanning from the 1800s to the 1930s — have been stored for over three decades and represent some of the most culturally significant horological artifacts ever offered at auction.

A yellow gold enamel flintlock pistol attributed to Moulinié & Bautte & Cie

Among these treasures is an exceedingly rare flintlock pistol form perfume sprinkler watch attributed to Moulinié, Bautte & Cie. With only a dozen surviving examples known worldwide (most housed in institutions like the Patek Philippe Museum), this yellow gold piece features intricate enamel work, pearls, diamonds, and a concealed watch with a manual key-wound movement. It comes complete with its original enamelled winding key manufactured by Ragnaud a Genève.

Another standout is a Grande and Petite Sonnerie pocket watch by L. Vrard & Cie, preserved in a private collection for nearly three decades. Created 135 years ago and decorated by P. Amédeé Champod, it showcases hunting scenes and 154 pearls set against a powder blue enamel case. With documentation in “La Montre Chinoise”, this piece includes a white enamel dial with Louis XIV hands and comes housed in its original mahogany presentation box.

Collectors will also be drawn to a pair of ornate antique pocket watches by Edouard Juvet. Created in Fleurier specifically for the booming Chinese market of the mid-19th century, these timepieces feature exquisite enamel work depicting the legend of Titus and Berenice. Both contain key-wound movements with decorations and pristine enamel dials, and are accompanied by their original leather presentation box.

Patek Philippe’s rarest references

The contemporary side of the auction is equally impressive, led by what may be a unique Patek Philippe Ref. 5970P-013 in platinum. This factory double-sealed example, fresh to the auction market, stands out for its four stunning red hands, English calendar, and the deeply personal inscription “A Mon Fils” (To My Son) on its sapphire caseback.

Patek Philippe Ref. 5970P-013

Patek Philippe Ref. 3970EJ-029

Equally rare is a Patek Philippe Ref. 3970EJ-029 in yellow gold featuring an uncommon inky black dial with a Breguet numeral at 12 o’clock. Only the second known example to reach the auction market, this piece represents a special commission created after the reference’s standard production had ceased in 2004.

There’s also a spotlight on the Nautilus, namely a Ref. 3700 bearing the prominent Khanjar emblem of Oman at six o’clock — one of only four known examples in stainless steel. These timepieces were specially commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said as prestigious gifts for close dignitaries and officials. What makes this example particularly noteworthy is that it’s the only one confirmed by Patek Philippe’s Extract from the Archives as having the Coat of Arms on the dial.

Patek Philippe Ref. 3700 Nautilus Jumbo Oman

Other Patek Philippe highlights include:

Two F. P. Journe references to watch

The auction also puts the spotlight on two exceptional creations from F.P. Journe. The fourth-generation Tourbillon Souverain presented here features a brass movement with a white gold dial and case. Produced between 2001 and 2003, this 38mm example has developed a unique patina and comes complete with its original warranty card and presentation box.

Another standout piece is a Chronomètre à Résonance Black Label with a 40mm case and 18K pink gold movement. This second-generation model from the RN series represents just the fifth example to appear on the market. Discontinued in 2009, this rare watch exemplifies one of the most significant horological innovations in recent decades.

A Piaget Gouverneur with a François-Paul Journe-designed movement

Launched in 1995 to establish Piaget in the high-end watch market, this grand sonnerie wristwatch prototype from the Gouverneur collection was designed by none other than François-Paul Journe when he was still working as a freelance movement designer. Featuring the caliber 1996P with grande and petite sonnerie, minute repeater, and power reserve indicator, this white gold example with a silvered dial is believed to be the only one of its kind, and just the third to ever appear at auction out of only six produced.

Piaget Gouverneur Grande Sonnerie

A rare Rolex commission from the UAE

Vintage Rolex collectors will be particularly excited by a Cosmograph Ref. 6263 featuring the UAE Quraysh Hawk emblem and the Arabic script signature of the Ministry of Defense. Commissioned for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this exceptionally well-preserved example retains its original sharp case edges and Rolex sticker. It comes with an exclusive letter from Rolex and an ultra-rare presentation box.

Rolex Ref. 6263

Phillips Watches’ 10th anniversary 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction XX coincides with Phillips Watches’ 10th anniversary celebration. “As Phillips Watches celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are delighted to offer an exceptional array of timepieces that represent the pinnacle of horological artistry and historical significance,” said Thomas Perazzi, Head of Watches, Asia, and Gertrude Wong, Head of Sale, in a joint statement. “We are particularly honoured to present a museum-quality collection comprising pocket watches and mechanical curiosities made for the Chinese market, alongside unique Cartier clocks inspired by Far East culture.” More information on the Cartier clocks will be shared later this month.

The Highlights Tour will begin in Singapore on 18 and 19 April, with viewings available from 11am to 6pm at The Singapore Edition Hotel. Next, the tour will travel to Taipei on 3 and 4 May, where it will be held from 11am to 6pm at the Bellavita B1 Art Gallery. The final stop before the auction will be in Geneva, from 7 to 11 May. Viewings will take place at the Hotel President, Quai Wilson 47, 1201 Geneva. Opening hours are 10am to 7pm from Wednesday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The auction itself will take place from 23 to 25 May 2025 in Hong Kong. Auction viewings will be held from 16 to 25 May, daily from 11am to 7pm, at the WKCDA Tower.