Phillips Auction : Laurent Picciotto Collection of Contemporary Watches

A pioneer of contemporary watchmaking, Laurent Picciotto’s unique collection encompasses 43 watches & encounters including masterworks by Richard Mille, Urwerk, De Bethune, MB&F, Girard-Perregaux, Audemars Piguet, Hublot and HYT. An embodiment of his lifelong passion for contemporary watches, and the distinct watches that crossed his path, the collection showcases limited editions and one off pieces from the leading manufacturers of contemporary watchmaking. Included in this section of the sale are extremely rare brand paraphernalia and memorabiliato accompany each timepieceincludingaRichard Mille electric guitar, sketches, photographs, jackets, travel bags, golf balls and speakers.

Richard Mille. An important and unique DLC-treated titanium tonneau-shaped split seconds chronograph tourbillon RM008 wristwatch with Richard Mille electric guitar, circa 2006

Estimate: HKD 2,000,000 – 3,000,000 / USD 250,000 – 375,000

Laurent Picciotto is a titan of watchmaking, having been instrumental in steering the course of the contemporary history of horology. We are thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with the safe keeping and having the opportunity to present this highly cool, interesting and important collection to market. Sam Hines, International Head of Watches and Deputy Chairman of Asia

Highlights from Laurent Picciotto Collection of Contemporary Watches

Laurent Picciotto is arenowned Parisian retailer who has been instrumental in the contemporary watchmaking industry for the last 30 years. As the proprietor of Chronopassion which first opened for business in 1988 as a Gerald Genta boutique, he has since represented leading contemporary watchmakers and was one of the original founders of Richard Mille, opened the first retail Audemars Piguet boutique in 1997 and the first Hublot boutique in 2007.A champion of independent watchmakers in the new millennium, Laurent Picciotto lent his support during the inception of leading brands including MB&F, Urwerk, and HYT, which in turn has allowed him to add unique pieces to his personal collection.

Richard Mille

Founded in 1999, Richard Mille watches have garnered a cult-like following since the brand’s inception, with collectors increasingly favoring the watchmaker’s complex movements and technical innovations. Basing its design DNA on its tonneau-shaped barrel case, Richard Mille’s brand identity is founded upon three crucial elements. Firstly, the brand showcases the best in technical innovations. Secondly, it harnesses the best of artistry and architecture. Finally, it draws inspiration from the culture of fine watchmaking with hand finishing. Partnering with sports champions, the firm continually pushes the boundaries and limitations of watchmaking, catering each design to the ambassador’s line of work.

Richard Mille. An important and unique DLC-treated titanium tonneau-shaped split seconds chronograph tourbillon RM008 wristwatch with Richard Mille electric guitar, golf balls, framed drawing of the present movement, original certificate and fitted presentation box. Circa 2006

Estimate: HKD 2,000,000 – 3,000,000/ USD 250,000 – 375,000

Richard Mille, A fine and rare DLC-treated titatnium skeletonised tonneau-shaped RM010 wristwatch with date, blue luminova, special Velcro strap, magazine, golf balls, original certificate and fitted presentation box, made for Chronopassion, numbered I of a limited edition of 50 pieces. Circa 2010

Estimate: HKD 240,000 – 400,000 / USD 30,000 – 50,000

Richard Mille, A fine and very rare white gold tonneau-shaped tourbillon RM001 wristwatch with power reserve, torque indicator, framed photograph and golf balls. Circa 2002

Estimate: HKD 1,200,000 – 2,000,000 / USD 150,000 – 250,000

De Bethune. A fine and unique white gold wristwatch with secret signature, spherical moon phases, power reserve, customised constellation of Laurent Picciotto's hometown, samples of the study used for the secret signature on the dial and framed photograph. Circa 2010

Estimate: HKD 200,000 – 280,000 / USD 25,000 – 35,000

De Bethune designs and crafts each timepiece as if it were an intricate work of art. Founded in 2002, the brand sees itself as research development tool and “laboratory”, continually forging a new path in watchmaking by drawing inspiration from the past, while developing completely new and contemporary masterpieces. It draws design elements from watchmaking of the bygone era, referencing the workmanship of 18th and 19th century master watchmakers. At the same time, it incorporates cutting-edge and modern technologies. The result: completely fresh and remarkable timepieces, such as the “MilkyWay”, representing the brand’s interpretation of the vast nature of the galaxy. Incorporating the old tradition of mapping the celestial canopy, it features decidedly modern updates such as a mirror-polished dial incorporating palladium.

MB&F. A fine and rare pink gold dual time wristwatch with three-dimensional movement, vertical power reserve, speakers, miniature car and plane, original warranty and fitted presentation box. Circa 2011

Estimate: HKD 320,000 – 480,000 / USD 40,000 – 60,000

Founded in 2005, Maximilian Büsser and Friends (MB&F) represents a collaborative effort between artisans, artists and professionals who collectively design rare and unique horological masterpieces. Maximilian Büsser seeks to harness the creative, imaginative and uninhibited energy of children. The founder’s mantra is: “A creative adult is a child who survived”. Building upon the success of Büsser Opus series while at Harry Winston, the brand has forever changed the watchmaking. Timepieces are no longer designed and manufactured by one firm. By eschewing the concept of “in-house”, MB&F nurtures the best and different talents in the watchmaking industry, creating one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

Audemars Piguet. A fine and rare sandblasted titanium special edition chronograph bracelet watch with date, cufflinks, keychain, penknife, paperweight, leather travel bag and bracelet made from spare links, made exclusively for the Paris boutique, limited to 50 pieces. Circa 2005

Estimate: HKD 120,000 – 180,000 / USD 15,000 – 23,000

Girard-Perregaux. A fine, rare and unusual titanium and platinum skeletonised three sapphire bridge tourbillon wristwatch with bracelet, numbered 0. Circa 2009

Estimate: HKD 320,000 – 480,000 / USD 40,000 – 60,000

Hublot. A rare and unusual black PVD-coated titanium and ceramic chronograph wristwatch with date, numbered 0 of a limited edition of 250 pieces. Circa 2009

Estimate: HKD 120,000 – 160,000 / USD 15,000 – 20,000

H. Moser & Cie, A fine and unique white gold prototype wristwatch with special blue dial and cap. Circa 2014

Estimate: HKD 80,000 – 120,000 / USD 10,000 – 15,000

Alain Silberstein, A very rare and highly unusual stainless steel wristwatch with black enamel top and bracelet, manufactured in conjunction with Svend Andersen and limited to 10 pieces only, circa 2005

Estimate: HKD 64,000 – 96,000 / USD 6,000 – 8,000

Alain Silberstein, A very rare and historically interesting sapphire crystal triple calendar wristwatch with moon phases, limited to 10 pieces only. Circa 1993

Estimate: HKD 64,000 – 96,000 / USD 8,000 – 12,000

Urwerk. A very rare, large and unusual stainless steel and titanium special edition three-dimensional satellite hour display, telescopic minute hand, twin turbin winding system, moon phases, day and night indicator, large poster, sketch of UR-202 and framed photograph of front and back of the watch, numbered 1 of a limited edition of 12 pieces. Circa 2010

Estimate: HKD 320,000 – 480,000 / USD 40,000 – 60,000

Cofounders Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei first met in 1995 to discuss developing a completely novel watch. In 1997, the partners founded Urwerk, its name a portmanteau of “UR” and “Werk”. While “Ur” is an important Sumerian city-state that first molded human race’s perception of time by observing the moving shadows caused by sundials, “Werk” is a German phrase meaning work, creation and achievement. Urwerk’s goal is to design and craft Haute Horologerie timepieces by blending tradition with futuristic vision – a goal the partners have certainly achieved today. Its designs inspired by both romantic lore and galactic space, Urwerk has forever revolutionised the way telling time is perceived with its satellite hour display and wandering minute.

I use to say to my friends and clients that fine contemporary watches will most probably become tomorrow’s collectible vintage watches. Innovative watch brands that are today part of the horological landscape ensure their future profile with their creativity. In planning for the future, one must make their own prediction whether or not the timepiece will gain in collectability in the ten or twenty coming years. We have witnessed a spectacular creative explosion at the beginning of the 2000s, incredibly unique in watchmaking history – as crazy as rock stars from the 1970s who generated an unprecedented concentration of genius that hasn’t been seen since… Laurent Picciotto

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