In total, around 450 significant and iconic modern and contemporary timepieces from major watch brands including Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Panerai, IWC and Vacheron Constantin constitute this wonderful collection which was formed over 20 years by a leading private collector whose insight, taste and deep appreciation of the highest level of watchmaking can now be shared with collectors around the world.
This year, the kickoff will be on April 6 with The Champion Collection Part II: 'Sport Elegance', a single-owner online sale featuring over 120 lots representing 15 iconic brands, led by new and contemporary timepieces, many of which are hard to find in the retail market. Among these highly sought-after pieces: a Rolex Daytona Ref. 116506 in platinum with ice blue dial, Rolex GMT Master II Ref. 126755SARU with diamond-set bezel and lugs and the coveted Audemars Piguet Royal Oak self-winding Ref. 126755SARU. 15400OR.
The history of the Rolex Daytona is closely linked to that of motorsports, but the origins of the name date back to long before the watch became the iconic three-counter chronograph we think of today. Sir Malcolm Campbell, one of the most popular and successful race car drivers of his day, was known as the 'King of Speed' and was also a Rolex Ambassador. He set no fewer than five world land speed records at Daytona Beach, the fastest in 1935 behind the wheel of a Bluebird with a Rolex Oyster on his wrist. It would be almost another thirty years before the legendary speedway in Florida would be linked back to Rolex, on the now equally legendary Daytona. In 1963 the Rolex Chronograph reference 6239 arrives with a tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel to improve the legibility of the dial. It was in 1965 that 'Daytona' first appeared on the dial, with the reference 6239. More interestingly, the Daytona wasn't a runaway success at the time, even with celebrities like Paul Newman, already a recognized racing and highly competitive motorist, endorsing it. The anonymity did not last long and in 1988 an update was released with a modified Zenith “El Primero” automatic movement, such as the reference 16520 in steel, 16523 in steel and gold and 16528 in yellow gold.
The main difference was the case size of 40mm, 3mm larger than its predecessor, and a sapphire crystal replaced the Plexiglas one. The limited supply increased desirability, further cementing the model's cult status. In 2000, when Rolex began using an in-house movement on the new 116500 series, it remained the most sought-after model. In 2013 Rolex created the Daytona Cosmograph Platinum (reference 116506) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its most famous watch. Finally, in 2016, the steel Daytona was revamped with a new black ceramic bezel on the 116500LN series. With each release, the Daytona reinforces its status as a cult sports watch, surely the most desired sports watch in the world.
The history of the Rolex GMT-Master debuted a collaboration with now-defunct Pan American Airways: the first model was released in 1954-1955 and issued to cockpit crew on long-haul flights. The main feature was the dedicated hour hand to indicate Greenwich Mean Time (hence “GMT”) along with local time, with the red and blue rotating bezel (hence “Pepsi”) for night and day in 24 hour period. The model quickly gained popularity as a pilot's watch and the rest is history. Various metal upgrades and variations have been released over the years, such as two-tone steel and yellow gold, solid gold, with the steel versions remaining the most popular. The nickname depends on the bezel: “Coke” for the red&black version, a model which has since been discontinued; “Pepsi” for the red and blue bezel; and “Batman” for the blue and black one.
The current reference is the GMT Master II – 126755SARU in rose gold. Its monobloc Oyster case is set with brilliant-cut diamonds, the eye-catching bezel with baguette sapphires and baguette rubies to indicate day and night, and baguette diamonds representing the hour markers. This surrounds a dial with a date display at 3 o'clock and gold indexes with a luminescent coating, as well as the central hours – minutes – seconds – GMT hands. The self-winding movement has a 48-hour power reserve and is known to be one of the most efficient. It is perfectly protected by the monobloc gold case. A full rose gold Oyster bracelet with an Oysterlock clasp keeps this extremely limited timepiece snug on the wrist.
The Chinese character for "Crisis" is composed of two characters: "Danger" and "Opportunity". If there were one for the language of watchmaking, it would be a stylized Royal Oak. The danger: A tsunami of incredibly cheap Asian-made quartz watches that appeared in the early 70s and threatened to wipe out the Swiss watch industry. The Opportunity: Legendary Designer Gerald Genta. The result: In 1972, Audemars Piguet introduced a solid stainless steel luxury sports watch, inspired by a scuba diving helmet, with an octagonal bezel, exposed mounting screws, a large 39mm case with an integrated bracelet. Within 2-3 years, Audemars Piguet, barely able to keep up with the demand, had established a new luxury sports watch segment. Reference 5402, known as the “Royal Oak A-series,” was the first to feature a slim automatic caliber 2121 movement. The level of finish was remarkable. So was the price: a similar Rolex retailed for one-tenth the price of a Royal Oak. The current 18K rose gold example displays a beautiful white dial with a Grande Tapisserie motif. Around, the indexes in rose gold and the hour and minute hands with luminescent coating. The date window is located at the 3 o'clock position. The AP logo is displayed at the 12 o'clock position also in gold.
The automatic movement is visible through the sapphire case back. THEThe bracelet of this very exclusive timepiece is made of solid pink gold. The Spring-Summer season continues with a single owner sale The Champion Collection Part III: 'The Artistry of Complications', to be held on May 24 and consisting of 73 lots with a low estimate of HKD 80 million, and a sale for various owners “Importante Watches”, a second live sale to be held on May 24, consisting of over 120 lots with a low estimate of HK$80 million. Christie's Watches Hong Kong has exciting events in store for the second half of 2022 as well: from The Champion Collection Part IV: “The Panerai Encyclopedia: Chapter I” with 85 Panerai watches and The Champion Collection Part V: “The Panerai Encyclopedia: Final Chapter ' with 83 highly sought-after Panerai watches up for auction online. Rounding out the year will be a single owner live sale featuring the series finale, The Champion Collection Part VI: “The Finest Watchmaking,” led by 83 timepieces including stunning enamel watches from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.
Christie's Hong Kong presents a series of 5 exciting watch auctions, carefully curated and themed by this incredible colletion. SPRING-SUMMER 2022 THE CHAMPION COLLECTION PART II: 'SPORTING ELEGANCE' Online Sale | 6 – 20 April 2022 | 120+ Lots | Total Minimum Estimate: HK$12 million THE CHAMPIONS COLLECTION PART III: “THE ART OF COMPLICATIONS” SALE OF IMPORTANT WATCHES Live Sale - Single Owner | May 24, 2022 | 73 lots | Total Minimum Estimate: HK$80 Million Live Sale – Various Owners | May 24, 2022 | 120+ Lots | Total minimum estimate: HK$80 million
