Race cars and watches are perhaps two of the most prominent symbols of living a luxurious life for men. Phillips Hong Kong is going to hold a sports watches sale in collaboration with Blackbird Automotive Group. The sale features not only brands by renowned watchmakers such as Patek Philippe and Rolex, but also a rare watch that belonged to the late martial artist Bruce Lee.
The watches are displayed at the Ferrari showroom at Repulse Bay in Hong Kong
Watches exhibited together with Ferrari cars
The watches are displayed together with Ferrari cars at the Ferrari showroom at Repulse Bay in Hong Kong. Before introducing the exciting lots of this sale, we must talk about the founder of Blackbird- TK Mak. Those who are from Hong Kong might be familiar with his younger brother Juno Mak, a Hong Kong singer and actor who’s known for his unique fashion style.
TK Mak is the brother of the famous Hong Kong artist Juno Mak
Rumour has it that this one and only Ferarri P80/C is owned by TK Mak
Most people would know that TK Mak and Juno Mak created the fashion brand SiLLY THING. TK Mak is also famous for his company Blackbird which became the official dealer of Ferrari in Hong Kong in 2016. Rumour has it that the one and only Ferrari P80/C’s owner is TK Mak. TK Mak is a lover of cars as well as watches. He has curated this sale in collaboration with Phillips and has become the first Asian collector to curate a watch sale.
Polerouter wristwatch from Universal Genève
This watch was once owned by Bruce Lee
Letter of authentication showing that Bruce Lee gifted the watch to Herb Jackson
Letter of authentication showing that Bruce Lee gifted the watch to Herb Jackson
This Polerouter wristwatch from Universal Genève was once owned by Bruce Lee. Everyone has heard of the stories of Bruce Lee but very few know of his love for watches.
Lee usually had his watches on a cuff-style leather strap, presumably his favourite way to wear a watch. In 1968, Lee gifted the Polerouter to his student and friend Herb Jackson whom had made training equipments for Lee like boxing gloves. The current owner of the watch is Herb Jackson’s child. A letter of authentication which states that Bruce Lee had once worn and owned the Polerouter will be sold together with the watch itself. Estimated at HK$80,000 - 150,000 (US$10,000 - 20,000), the watch is a collectible that many Bruce Lee fans have an eye on.
Zenith’s El Primero Stratos Flyback wristwatch
Felix Baumgartner’s free fall from space to Earth
This sale features a selection of sports watches, including the renowned Zenith El Primero Stratos Flyback. This watch is the same model as the watches worn by Felix Baumgartner when he fell 39.45 km in 4 minutes and 19 seconds, at a maximum speed of 1,357.6 km per hour in 2012.
The El Primero Stratos Flyback can be exposed to 5,000G of force. The strap was made to be fitted over the space suit worn by Baumgartner as well as underneath the suit on his wrist. To ensure that the wristwatch can withstand extreme conditions, Zenith produced six of them for testing. The one on sale today is one of the six and is estimated at HK$80,000 - 150,000 (US$10,000 - 20,000).
The lots are divided into six specially-designed categories- Wing, Air, Snow, Tarmac, Lawn, and Water. Below are some of the highlighted lots from each category.
Wind: Rolex Ref. 6240 Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ wristwatch
The Rolex Ref. 6240 is the first from the “Cosmograph” line to be equipped with screwdown chronograph pushers which improve the water resistance of the watch. Produced in 1966, this watch is extremely rare and highly revered to in the market. On top of that, only an exceedingly small part of the reference was fitted with “Paul Newman” dials according to various scholarships and studies. The watch is estimated at HK$1.1m -2m (US$140,000 - 250,000).
Air: Rolex Ref. 6542 GMT-Master wristwatch
This Rolex GMT-Master made in 1959 is extremely rare because of its Bakelite bezel. It is very well-preserved as the blue and red colour of the bezel is still vibrant after 60 years. The estimated price is HK$1m - 1.9m (US$120,000-240,000).
Snow: Rolex Ref. 6036 Jean-Claude Killy 18K Gold wristwatch
The Ref. 6036 is the only vintage Rolex series to feature a triple calendar and chronograph complication, named after the three-time Olympic ski champion and Rolex ambassador Jean-Claude Killy in the 1960s. With an expandable bracelet and hardly-ever-seen dial featuring yellow gold indexes, the watch is estimated at HK$2m - 4m (US$250,000 - 500,000).
Tarmac: Rolex Ref. 6234 Pre-Daytona wristwatch
First introduced in 1955, the Ref. 6234 comes with a rare black glossy dial with tachymeter and telemeter scale. It is one of the most desired models within the Rolex Oyster chronograph family. This particular watch was produced in circa 1960 and is estimated at HK$2m - 4m (US$250,000 - 500,000).
Lawn: Patek Philippe Ref. 2499/100 18K Gold wristwatch
The Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 is often called the King of Watches as it is often the top lot of many watch sales in recent years. Between 1950 and 1985, only 349 of the model were produced, making each of them immensely valuable. The present watch belongs to the 4th series of this model. With this series, Patek Philippe added /100 to the reference numbers which consequently became Ref. 2499/100. The watch has never been worn and is estimated at HK$3.2m - 6.2m (US$400,000 - 800,000).
Water: Rolex Ref. 6538 Submariner, Big Crown wristwatch
Vintage Submariners are often referred to as the “James Bond” watch. Ref. 6538 Big Crown is the only Submariner produced and was worn by James Bond in movies including Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), and Goldfinger (1964). The black lacquer “four liner” dial is extremely rare with a bright red triangle on top and a pearl that is completely retained. Produced in 1958, the estimate of the watch is HK$3.2m - 6.2m (US$400,000 - 800,000).
Highlights of the sale
Patek Philippe Ref. 2499/100 yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases, hang tag and presentation box
Lot no.: 869
Produced in: 1980
Estimate: HK$3,200,000 - 6,200,000 (US$400,000 - 800,000)
Rolex Ref. 6538 stainless steel wristwatch with sweep center seconds, black lacquer “four liner” dial, big crown and big logo bracelet
Lot no.: 882
Produced in: 1958
Estimate: HK$3,200,000 - 6,200,000 (US$400,000 - 800,000)
Rolex Ref. 6036 yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with triple calendar, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Lot no.: 842
Produced in: 1951
Estimate: HK$2,000,000 - 4,000,000 (US$250,000 - 500,000)
Rolex Ref. 6234 stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black glossy dial, tachymeter and telemeter scales
Lot no.: 859
Produced in: circa 1960
Estimate: HK$2,000,000 - 4,000,000 (US$250,000 - 500,000)
Rolex Ref. 6240 stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black "Paul Newman" dial and screw-down pushers
Lot no.: 812
Produced in: circa 1966
Estimate: HK$1,100,000 - 2,000,000 (US$140,000 - 250,000)
Rolex Ref. 6542 GMT-Master stainless steel dual time wristwatch with date, sweep center seconds, Bakelite bezel, bracelet and COSC certificate
Lot no.: 829
Produced in: circa 1959
Estimate: HK$1,000,000 - 1,900,000 (US$120,000 - 240,000)
Universal ‘Polerouter’ yellow gold-plated stainless steel wristwatch with sweep center seconds and a letter of provenance, formerly owned by legendary actor and martial artist Bruce Lee
Lot no.: 860
Produced in: circa 1950s
Estimate: HK$80,000 - 150,000 (US$10,000 - 20,000)
Zenith Ref. 03.2066.405/69.M2060 stainless steel flyback chronograph prototype wristwatch with warranty and presentation box
Lot no.: 820
Produced in: circa 2012
Estimate: HK$80,000 - 150,000 (US$10,000 - 20,000)
Auction details
Auction house: Phillips Hong Kong
Sale: Phillips & Blackbird：SPORTS
Location: JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong
Address: 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Lots offered: 82
Preview: 23 - 27 May 2019｜11am - 6pm
Sale: 27 May 2019｜6:30pm