Bonhams’ Hong Kong Watches Sale is set to captivate both racing and horology fans
Justified or otherwise, petrolheads and watch enthusiasts often find themselves lumped into the same group. Both, after all, are drawn to mechanical precision, performance, and the beauty of finely tuned engineering. That said, few events actually speak to both camps at once. Bonhams’ Hong Kong Watches sale, taking place on 23 May, is doing exactly that.
The 108-lot auction, with estimates ranging from HK$40,000 to HK$11 million, boasts a catalogue that—either by design or association—draws directly from the automotive world.
Leading the sale is the Richard Mille UP-01 Ferrari, offered with an estimate of HK$6.4 to HK$11 million. Released in 2024 and limited to 150 pieces, it is among the thinnest and lightest mechanical wristwatches ever made, measuring at 1.75mm thick and just 2.82 grams. To achieve this, Richard Mille developed a monobloc architecture in which the movement and case are integrated into a single unit.
The manually wound calibre RMUP-01, developed in collaboration with Audemars Piguet Renaud & Papi, runs at 4 Hz and delivers a 45-hour power reserve. There is no traditional crown—instead, time-setting and winding are controlled via two recessed rotating discs on the caseback. Crafted from grade 5 titanium, the watch’s bridges and baseplate provide a comfortable wearing experience while ensuring robustness.
Another standout piece in the sale is the Hublot MP-05 LaFerrari. The watch, developed in partnership with Ferrari’s design team, references the structure of the LaFerrari hypercar through a vertically aligned movement and barrel system. The calibre HUB9005.H1.PN.1 uses 11 mainspring barrels connected in series to deliver a mind-boggling 50-day power reserve.
The feat is even more impressive when taking into account the timepiece’s tourbillon, placed vertically at the base of the movement stack. The 46mm case is rendered in black PVD-coated titanium and is covered by a domed sapphire crystal that exposes the architecture in full.
For collectors with a slant toward the Formula 1 track, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Laptimer Michael Schumacher may be the lot to look at. Offered at an estimate of HK$900,000 to HK$2 million, the watch was released in 2015 and developed with Schumacher.
Featuring a third pusher at 9 o’clock, the watch is able to reset one hand while the other continues—allowing continuous lap timing without the need to stop and restart. The manually wound calibre 2923 contains 413 components, three column wheels, and provides an 80-hour power reserve. This example is one of 100 produced in forged carbon, paired with a ceramic bezel and titanium pushers. While it bears the angular profile of the Concept series, the layout is defined almost entirely by the requirements of the movement.
While these watches may catch the eye immediately, they represent just one part of the auction. The full catalogue offers a wider range of pieces—many with quieter profiles but no less considered in their design and execution.
