Sotheby's Hong Kong Watch Auction Hits Record HK$414.2 Million
Sotheby's Hong Kong set a new record for watch auctions in Asia, with its Important Watches sale reaching HK$414.2 million (US$52.9 million). The auction also achieved the highest total ever for a watch sale at Sotheby's globally. Central to the success was 'The Shapes of Cartier: The Finest Vintage Grouping Ever Assembled,' an 82-piece collection of vintage Cartier watches that sold for HK$108 million (US$13.8 million), over seven times its pre-sale estimate with a 100% sell-through rate. The top lot was a rare yellow-gold Cartier London Crash from circa 1987, which sold for HK$15,616,000 (US$1,993,539) after a nine-minute bidding war, more than doubling its estimate of HK$3.2-6 million.
Key facts
- Sotheby's Hong Kong Important Watches auction achieved HK$414.2 million (US$52.9 million).
- It is the highest total for a watch sale at Sotheby's and the most valuable watch auction in Asia.
- The Shapes of Cartier collection comprised 82 vintage Cartier watches.
- The collection sold for HK$108 million (US$13.8 million), over seven times its estimate.
- 100% of lots in the Cartier collection were sold.
- A yellow-gold Cartier London Crash (circa 1987) was the top lot at HK$15,616,000 (US$1,993,539).
- The bidding battle for the top lot lasted nine minutes.
- The pre-sale estimate for the top lot was HK$3,200,000-6,000,000 (US$400,000-750,000).
Entities
Institutions
- Sotheby's
- Cartier
Locations
- Hong Kong
- China
- London
- United Kingdom