Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction XXIII features rare F.P. Journe, Voutilainen, Haldimann, Auffret and Kiu Tai Yu pieces. Sale on 21–22 November 2026.
A Quick Orientation
- Five makers set the independent section apart from Phillips’ broader November sale: F.P. Journe, Kari Voutilainen, Beat Haldimann, Théo Auffret, and Kiu Tai Yu each contribute pieces that are either unique commissions or early-production rarities appearing at auction for the first time.
- The sale runs on 21 and 22 November 2026 at the WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, with previews open daily from 16 November.
- Top estimates in this selection reach HK$12,000,000 (approximately US$1,540,000) for the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Mark Cho Special”.
- All pieces are described as fresh to the market, several having rested in single private collections for over two decades.
Origins and the Stories Behind the Lots
Phillips confirmed on 20 October 2026 that this group of independent pieces anchors the broader Hong Kong Watch Auction XXIII alongside a previously announced Patek Philippe section. Thomas Perazzi, Head of Watches Asia, and Gertrude Wong, Head of Sale, jointly described the selection as representing “some of the finest expressions of contemporary and modern independent watchmaking to appear at auction in Hong Kong in recent years.”
Several lots carry provenance that adds measurably to their interest. The F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Mark Cho Special” — serial number 168, a figure that coincidentally matches the street number of The Armoury’s New York flagship — was commissioned directly by Mark Cho, co-founder of The Armoury, in collaboration with François-Paul Journe and Pierre Halimi. Its navy blue and warm-toned dial draws from vintage patina; the configuration is described as unlikely to be repeated. The successful bidder receives a bespoke garment from The Armoury alongside the watch.
The Watches in Detail
The Tourbillon Souverain No. 069 from 2001, offered in a platinum case with a shiny yellow gold dial, counts among only nine such documented examples. Phillips notes it as part of the third series of early brass-movement models and the first wristwatch to unite a tourbillon with a remontoir d’égalité. It has remained in one private collection for over two decades and is accompanied by its original warranty card and box.
Among the more compact estimates, the Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire Hong Kong Boutique Edition — number 10 of 20 — was produced in 2016 in a titanium and 18k pink gold case to mark ten years of the brand’s Hong Kong boutique. The Octa Calendrier Ruthenium bearing number 01 of 99, produced between 2001 and 2005, is the first example of the model ever made; only 23 of the 99-piece run are known to have resurfaced publicly.
Beyond Journe, the Voutilainen Vingt-8 in titanium with a hand-guilloché blue enamel dial by Comblémine is one of two commissions of this configuration ever produced. Kari Voutilainen’s personal signature replaces the traditional logo. The Beat Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon “PuristS Edition” Series 2 (ref. S2-02-828, circa 2012) is one of four Series 2 watches and the only known example with a custom red 12 o’clock marker; it was overhauled by Haldimann in 2023 and is offered unpolished by its original owner.
Théo Auffret’s Tourbillon à Paris Subscription No. 18, in titanium with a hand-guilloché dial, is the first of the model to reach auction. Auffret’s prototype won the F.P. Journe Young Talent Competition in 2018, and this piece is one of only two titanium examples among the 15 subscription watches delivered. Rounding out the selection, Kiu Tai Yu’s HK 2000 — number 14 of 20 in 18k white gold, circa 2000 — is the fourth known white-gold example to appear publicly, created by the first Asian AHCI member to mark the millennium.
What This Means for Collectors
For collectors across the Gulf with an interest in independent watchmaking, the Hong Kong Watch Auction XXIII offers concentrated access to early-production and unique-commission pieces that rarely surface through any channel. Bidding is available in person at the WKCDA Tower from 21 November or through Phillips’ remote bidding services. Estimates exclude buyer’s premium.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does Phillips Hong Kong Watch Auction XXIII take place?
The auction runs on 21 and 22 November 2026 at the WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong. A preview is open from 16 to 22 November, daily from 10am to 7pm.
What is the highest-estimated lot in the independent watchmaking section?
The F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance 'Mark Cho Special' in platinum carries the top estimate at HK$6,000,000–12,000,000 (approximately US$769,000–1,540,000), excluding buyer's premium.
How rare is the Voutilainen Vingt-8 titanium with blue enamel dial offered at this sale?
Phillips describes it as one of only two Vingt-8 commissions produced in titanium and the only example known to have appeared on the market. The dial was hand-guilloché by Comblémine and bears Kari Voutilainen's personal signature.
Can collectors in the Middle East preview these watches before the Hong Kong auction?
Phillips is conducting a Global Highlights Tour with stops in Hong Kong, Taipei, Geneva and Singapore ahead of the November sale. Interested buyers in the Middle East may also contact Phillips directly or participate via the auction house's online platform.
Who is Kiu Tai Yu and why does his HK 2000 matter at auction?
Kiu Tai Yu became the first Asian member of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants in 1992. His HK 2000, numbered 14 of a 20-piece limited series in 18k white gold, is only the fourth known white-gold example of this configuration to have appeared at auction.
