The exceptional Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon has provided the highest bids in Sotheby's Important Watches auction in Hong Kong today (October 8).
 Sotheby's example was one of the last ever made |
One of the most complicated and beautiful watches ever produced, the 2010 model sold for an impressive $1.35m, sitting at the top end of the $1m-$1.54m estimate. However, the watch failed to beat the $1.5m record price for a Sky Moon, which was achieved by another example in Hong Kong in 2008.
Released in 2001, Reference 5002P served as Patek Philippe's flagship watch until it was discontinued in 2011. The spectacular piece was only made available to the Swiss brand's most respected clients, with the company insisting on a qualifying interview before the purchase could be made.
This rigorous application process, combined with a low production number, has resulted in only a few Sky Moon Tourbillon's appearing at auction. The platinum example at Sotheby's was the first to be offered that featured the Patek Philippe quality seal and the rare red date indication hand.
The Sky Moon Tourbillon is the first double-faced wristwatch to feature a complete display of the night sky on its reverse side, revealing the movements of the stars and the Moon, as well as the Moon's phases. Also among its vast array of complications are a minute repeater, tourbillion, perpetual calendar, retrograde date and side reel time.
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