Our new models and solvements for all problems you may encountered at and after buying watches from us.

Created in the Vallee de Joux (Switzerland) by Freres Rochat in the 19th century, the Singing Bird Pistols  were the highlight of the Christie’s Important Watches auction on May 30. As the only publicly known matching pair in the world, the pistols meld fine Swiss automata technology with exquisite craftsmanship and are extravagantly embellished with pearls and diamonds.  

Aurel Bacs, International Head of Watches, Christie’s, said “No auction house responds better than Christie’s to the demanding appetite of an ever-growing group of international watch collectors. The auction in Hong Kong was highlighted by an epic bidding war between two of the world’s most connoisseur collectors who fought fiercely for more than 10 minutes to acquire the only publicly known matching pair of singing bird pistols in the world”.   

Thunderous applause broke out when a Japanese collector and philanthropist won the final bid online, raising HKD3,620,000 (USD465,170) and knocking down the other nine bidders.

Meanwhile, Patek Philip was crowned la crème de la crème in the wrist-watch category, occupying eight out of the top ten watches being sold. The Ref. 2499R in pink gold sold for HKD 9,380,000 (USD 1,205,330) while the Skymoon Toubillon – the brand’s most complicated wrist-watch ever – sold for HKD 9,020,000 (USD 1,159,070).

“Given the incredible variety of makers, periods and styles on our top ten, we can see an impressive breadth and depth of the market and Christie’s savoir-faire in bringing together the finest property any auction house can offer to the world’s top collectors,” Bacs muses.

The result was well in excess of the high estimate, realizing HKD 45,460,000 (USD 5,841,610), effectively marking it as the highest amount for an individual lot sold at any watch auction in Asia, as well as the most valuable achieved for an horological item ever sold at an Asian auction. Bacs further says “Another highlight was the charity auction of the world’s first all-aluminium sport watch from celebrated watchmaker FP Journe’s Centigraphe Sport to raise funds for the charities 100maisons100familles and Medecins du Monde to aid Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims”.

The longcase clock NL126 skilfully blends the majestic swing of the unusually long 1,75 m (1¼ seconds) pendulum with the long running duration of the clockwork of one year.

The energy necessary for the drive of the pendulum of the NL126 is generated from a driving force of only five kilograms, which is distributed on two separate weight lines. The clockwork is skeletonized in the typical manner of Matthias Naeschke. Decades of accumulated experience of the German clockmakers from building long duration clocks and the fundamental horological knowledge about physical feasibility have combined in the realisation of this fine development.

The large central escape wheel is a noble feature of the shape and form of the finely gilded plates. The use of twelve modern stainless precision ball bearings, four ruby bearings and ruby pallets on the anchor together with extremely precise gearing reduces the natural frictional loss of energy to an absolute minimum. A hand engraved chapter ring from Sterling Silver completes the work.

With their grace, refinement, and mechanical sophistication, the various Blancpain Ultra-slim Ladybird watches uphold the ancient horological traditions of Blancpain, offering a stunning timepiece for women who desire elegance, understatement, and a legacy of watchmaking excellence.

The beautiful round cases of the Blancpain Ultra-Slim Ladybird watches measure a dainty 21.5mm in diameter, and demonstrate fine finish, and painstaking attention to detail. Presented exclusively in 18K red gold or 18K white gold, the Ultra-slim Ladybird watches are available with or without a bezel set with diamonds. The dials for these watches come in several different styles, including those with guilloche patterns in several different pastel colors, as well as mother of pearl, complete with 8 diamonds and four heart shaped rubies at twelve, three, six, and nine o’clock.

The Blancpain Specialites Ultra-slim Ladybird watch is a refined and classical woman’s timepiece with precious details that evoke a uniquely feminine aesthetic. The Blancpain Ladybird watch was first introduced in 1956, when it made waves within the watchmaking community by presenting the smallest diameter automatic-winding movement in the world; to this day this timepiece is an ideal example of Blancpain’s ability to combine classical design with the ultimate in the watchmaker’s craft.