As watch auction market leaders in Asia, and globally in 2023, Christie’s dedication and enthusiasm for sourcing and presenting the finest, rarest and most remarkable watches for our clients is ceaseless. Each auction season is eagerly anticipated by both seasoned and new watch collectors alike. It is therefore with great pleasure that for the first online watch auction of this season, Christie’s Hong Kong presents a meticulously curated selection of quite spectacular timepieces that will, without doubt, enthuse and inspire everyone.

The undoubted star of the contemporary wristwatches offered in this auction is the captivating diamond encrusted exotic Rolex Daytona 116588TBR, nicknamed by collectors as ‘The Eye of the Tiger’ it boasts 36 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel alone. No other watch brand attracts as much attention as Rolex, and the brand’s vintage steel sports watches always create serious interest among collectors. Included here is a very rare 1978 stainless steel Sea-Dweller diver’s watch, nicknamed the ‘Great White’ due to its all-white dial texts, it also features an emblem very rarely seen on any Rolex sports watches - the Kuwaiti coat of arms.

We are also very pleased to present one of the great modern collectable wristwatches from the Florence-based Italian brand Officine Panerai, the platinum-cased ‘PAM021’. Made in only 60 examples in 1997, it features a Rolex movement in honour of the firm’s now iconic timepieces of the earlier 20th century.

The great jewellery house of Cartier has been responsible for the creation of some of the most enduringly classic and most recognizable wristwatch designs of the last 100 years. The company’s ‘Ballon Bleu’ model, introduced in 2007, is no exception and has been a firm favourite on the wrists of celebrities and royalty, including the present Princess of Wales. In this online auction, we are excited to offer one of the most glamourous of all Ballon Bleu, the dial, case and bracelet entirely pavé-set with diamonds.

In the world of luxury watches, the impressive Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire chronograph is ultra-luxury. One of the most exclusive versions of which is offered here – cased in transparent red sapphire, it was limited to only 18 pieces worldwide.

These highlights give just a taste of the beautiful and intriguing watches brought together for this auction, some have rarely, if ever, been seen at auction before. We very much hope that international clients, collectors and enthusiasts will find these carefully chosen timepieces fascinating and take the opportunity to peruse the online catalogue and perhaps to participate, in order to possess any one of these marvels of the watchmaker’s art.