Cartier Paris 'Model A' Mystery Clock sells for HK$6,354,000 at Bonhams Hong Kong watch auction
On November 25, Bonhams Hong Kong hosted an auction titled Echoes of Time: Rare Timepieces from the Pages of History, featuring notable watches from elite brands. A standout piece was a Cartier Paris 'Model A' Mystery Clock from about 1914, which sold for HK$6,354,000, significantly surpassing its minimum estimate. This sale represented the third-highest price for this model, following Bonhams Hong Kong's own record of HK$6,870,000 achieved in 2022. This clock has a rich history tied to the Delion family, renowned hatmakers in Paris. Moreover, a Patek Philippe Grand Complications Ref. 5016P-01 sold for HK$6,989,000, also exceeding its highest estimate, featuring a stunning transparent rock-crystal case and diamond-set hands.
Key facts
- Bonhams Hong Kong held the Echoes of Time: Rare Timepieces from the Pages of History auction on November 25
- A Cartier Paris 'Model A' Mystery Clock circa 1914 sold for HK$6,354,000
- The sale price was more than three times the clock's low estimate of HK$2,000,000-4,000,000
- This represents the third-highest auction price ever for a 'Model A' Mystery Clock
- Bonhams Hong Kong set the auction record for this model in 2022 at HK$6,870,000
- The clock features a transparent rock-crystal case on white agate base with floating diamond-set hands
- The clock's provenance traces to the Delion family, renowned Parisian hatmakers
- A Patek Philippe Grand Complications Ref. 5016P-01 sold for HK$6,989,000, exceeding its high estimate
Entities
Institutions
- Bonhams
- Cartier Paris
- Patek Philippe
Locations
- Hong Kong
- Paris
- Malaysia