Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s Important Watches auction on 24 April proved a major milestone, achieving a record-breaking HK$414.2 million (US$52.9 million)—the highest total ever realised for a watch sale at Sotheby’s, and the most valuable watch auction ever held in Asia. The result comes after a global buying appetite, with bidding spanning more than 50 countries during a 13-hour sale.
The auction’s centrepiece was the debut of “The Shapes of Cartier: The Finest Vintage Grouping Ever Assembled”, an 82-lot presentation of vintage Cartier watches. All lots were sold, totalling HK$108 million (US$13.8 million) and exceeding pre-sale expectations by more than seven times.
However, it was Cartier’s rare yellow-gold Cartier London Crash from circa 1987 that stole the limelight. After a nine-minute contest among online, telephone and on-site bidders, the watch more than doubled its estimate, selling for HK$15,616,000 (US$1,993,539)—far above the quoted range. Acquired by a Japanese private collector, the outcome set a new record for the most valuable Cartier wristwatch ever sold at auction.
Sotheby’s also reported further record-setting performances across the catalogue, including standout prices for A Lange & Söhne, Daniel Roth and Patek Philippe, underscoring the depth of demand for exceptional vintage and independent watchmaking. (Photo courtesy: Sotheby’s)
18-05-2026
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