gafencu Shop

Ad Category Above Title [D:1440×400 M:1440×400]

gafencu  app

Ad Category Sidebar [D:300×300 M:300×300]

Ad Video Category Above Title

The recent online acquisition of a remarkable Patek Philippe has caused something of a stir in the watch-collecting community. Fetching US$5,815,300, the watch was the most valuable timepiece ever sold online globally and the most expensive object ever sold online at Christie’s Asia. This astronomical price for a Grand Complications Sky Moon Tourbillon has left some industry insiders wondering how high prices will go.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="745" height="745" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Patek-Phillipe-lot-111.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74173" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Patek-Phillipe-lot-111.jpg 745w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Patek-Phillipe-lot-111-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Patek-Phillipe-lot-111-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Patek-Phillipe-lot-111-280x280.jpg 280w" sizes="(max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /></figure></div>


Buoyed by this massive headliner, the online watch sale at Christie’s Hong Kong in March proved a success with total sales comfortably exceeding US$8 million. Alexandre Bigler, Vice President and Head of Watches at Christie’s Asia Pacific believes this achievement is indicative of a vibrant market for watches across the world. He further opines that the sale cements Hong Kong’s status as an international epicentre for watch collecting.







He also attributed the success to the diverse selection of collectible watches. “Not only did we offer rare timepieces from reputed brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier and Vacheron Constantin, but also iconic designs from other highly-sought after brands like Gerald Genta, Andersen, Hublot, A. Lange &amp; Söhne., and Jaeger Le-Coultre.”



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/69160042-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74165"/></figure>



But just what is it that drives buyers to collect watches and pay such sky-high prices? Kenneth Or, founder of Hong Kong-based Ken’s Watches, a supplier of new and second-hand premium watches since 2002, says that for some, it is simply a hobby, just like any other pastime that gives pleasure, such as collecting arts or wine or cars or jewels.







But there are also financial motives. “It is now considered to be a kind of investment tool as well,” he notes. “Watches have their own value. A watch not only keeps its value but sometimes its value might also be increased as time passes by. One can enjoy collecting something they love while they know they can always get the money back.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="745" height="745" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jaeger-Le-coultre-Lot-72.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74170" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jaeger-Le-coultre-Lot-72.jpg 745w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jaeger-Le-coultre-Lot-72-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jaeger-Le-coultre-Lot-72-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Jaeger-Le-coultre-Lot-72-280x280.jpg 280w" sizes="(max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /></figure></div>


Or also believes the market is readily accessible for the avid watch lover. “Moreover, the international watch market is very mature nowadays. It is easy and convenient to sell a watch and get the money back,” he adds.







What drives up the value of a watch and makes it collectible depends on numerous factors, according to Or. “It is about the brand, the watch design and style, popularity in the market, production volume, demand in the market, and if there are any stories behind the item. All these criteria support the value of a watch and make it a collectible one.”


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="745" height="745" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/genta-Lot-60.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74169" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/genta-Lot-60.jpg 745w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/genta-Lot-60-200x200.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/genta-Lot-60-100x100.jpg 100w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/genta-Lot-60-280x280.jpg 280w" sizes="(max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /></figure></div>


Technical complexity Christie’s Bigler believes the value of some premium watches is derived from their historical significance, reflecting such things as technological advancements and design trends of their time. Some collectors also have an astute appreciation of the painstaking craftsmanship and technical expertise confined to a miniature work of art on the wrist.







As a case in point, he sees the price-busting Patek Philippe watch as one of the revered manufacturer’s most intricate and impressive creations. “ The reference 6002G seems to effortlessly combine immense mechanical complication with amazing aesthetics and readability,” he says.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="1024" src="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/69272691-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-74166"/></figure></div>


“This inspirational double-face grand complication with hand-made blue cloisonné and champlevé enamel dial was launched in 2013 to replace the first Sky Moon Tourbillon model, reference 5002, launched in 2001 and formerly the most complicated wristwatch in the world.







“Boasting 12 complications, reference 6002G is housed in an extraordinary sculptural 44mm white-gold case entirely hand-chased and engraved with almost three-dimensional elegant scrolls which takes Patek Philippe’s master craftsmen over 100 hours to achieve,” he says. “In this superlative horological work of art, rare handcraft skills are combined with a mechanical tour-de-force, representing the very highest level of watchmaking and artistry.” Watches such as these will always retain their value. Bugler advises clients to only acquire watches they feel truly passionate about.

Watch Mania – Explaining the desire for the watch masterpiece

In celebration of a staggering 280 years of precision watch making, <a href="https://www.jaquet-droz.com">Jaquet Droz</a> unveiled a veritable treasure trove of horological delights at Baselworld earlier this year. Among the beautifully designed timepieces and unique designs, one particular creation stood out – the Signing Machine.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36577 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner.jpg" alt="Each Signing Machine is custom-built for its owner" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Each-Signing-Machine-is-custom-built-for-its-owner-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
The brand’s founder, Pierre Jaquet-Droz, was a renowned maker of automatons, so much so that his masterpieces, The Writer, The Musician and The Draughtsman, are among the highlights on display at the Neuchâtel Museum of Art and History.
Centuries later, The Signing Machine stands as the ultimate tribute to this storied legacy. With its concept first unveiled to the world in 2014, it has taken four years of intensive labour and research to bring it to fruition.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-36576 size-full" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz.jpg" alt="585 pieces make up The Signing Machine by Jaquet Droz" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/585-pieces-make-up-The-Signing-Machine-by-Jaquet-Droz-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" />
A mechanical work of wonder, The Signing Machine is a beautifully designed, hand-wound device whose power reserve allows two full signatures to be drawn. In total 585 parts work in perfect unison to create these autographs, and only a specially-made Jaquet Droz pen is compatible with the gadget.
Each device is unique, holding only the signature of its owner and unlockable by a personal 4-digit pin. Almost every aspect of its appearance can be further customised, and with a price tag of HK$2.982 million, this may just be the ultimate custom-made collectible.
Text: Tenzing Thondup

The Signing Machine by Jaquet Droz: Give your signature a unique flourish

luxury collectibles

The Wild Side: Inventive and artistic, jewellers across the globe are taking the animalistic approach

Winter’s Key: The latest menswear collections align on elegance

60 fantastic years: The iconic Mandarin Oriental, one of the world’s great hotels, celebrates a significant milestone

Air of Refinement: Beauty and functionality flow in harmony through the open spaces of this Island South residence

Sensational Ski: Head north for the fresh powder snow of China’s many premier winter resorts

Tag: luxury collectibles

Blog Section

Watch Mania – Explaining the desire for the watch masterpiece

The Signing Machine by Jaquet Droz: Give your signature a unique flourish