The Richard Mille model made famous by the on-court heroics of Rafael Nadal is among the highlights of Bonhams Hong Kong Watches sale on 28 May.
The 112-lot live sale is dedicated to watches “inspired by the impossible” – let’s remember that the idea of a tourbillon that you could treat roughly was considered crazy before the meeting of Messrs Mille and Rafael Nadal.
The rare limited production prototype Richard Mille, Rafael Nadal, reference RM27-01, is leading the sale. The manual-wind carbon skeleton is the world’s lightest tourbillon, at just 19 grams. The current lot is even more rare as its engraving on the back “PROTO-06” denotes it is one of the extremely few prototypes created for VIP clients to trial. It is offered with an estimate of HK$6,800,000-13,000,000.
There is also a limited-edition Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron tourbillon wristwatch, from around 2020. The collaboration between Jacob & Co. and Bugatti began in 2019 and the automotive inspired case design evokes the curves of the game-changing Chiron. The manual-wind watch, with sculpted titanium and pink-gold case and skeletonised flying tourbillon movement, has an estimate of HK$1,500,000-3,000,000.
For the audibly inspired, Bonhams has an Audemars Piguet, Code 11.59, reference 26395BC watch, circa 2019. The white gold, blue enamel-dialled minute repeater has patented supersonnerie technology to create the exceptional acoustic sound by enhancing the volume of the chimes. The estimate for this chiming beauty is HK$1,000,000-2,000,000.
Other sale highlights include some Cartier classics: a Crash, Tank Basculante; and a Rêves de Panthères. The Crash, first created by Jean-Jacques Cartier in London in 1967, features an asymmetric twisted case. This watch is a rare limited production in yellow gold, a manual-wind watch from c. 2000. Offered with an estimate of HK$600,000-1,000,000.
Sharon Chan, Head of department, Director of Watches, Asia, said: “Hong Kong watches includes some highly sought-after independent watchmakers that represent some of the leading names of desirable watches. A standout lot is the lightest tourbillon watch in the world, a rare Richard Mille, Rafael Nadal tourbillon wristwatch – one of the most iconic collaborations in watchmaking history that captivated audiences with its breakthrough technology and materials to create a watch that withstood levels of shock and force unseen at the time and has gone on to become an impeccable watch from horological history.”
She added: “Another exciting lot is the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron tourbillon, not only is this a true engine on the wrist, but it is also the first time that this amazing timepiece has ever appeared in auction. Inspired by the impossible, independent watchmakers never cease to fascinate watch enthusiasts across the globe.”
Bonhams Hong Kong Watches takes place on 28 May 2024.
