The Quantieme Lune platinum watch (ref. c96) with triple date was made in 1937. It has the moon phases, roulette dial, enamel Arabic numerals and faye hands in rose-gold.
The watch shattered its pre-sale estimate of $3 million.
“It has been preserved in its original untouched state. Includes the strap and buckle and with an even patina throughout. This time capsule piece therefore comes with incredible historical significance and is an epitome of its kind.” That's what Phillips said in a statement.
“A once in a lifetime opportunity to own a watch that is worthy of a museum collection. For discerning collectors, what is on display today is not only about collecting an important part of Patek Philippe's history, but also of the world's cultural history.”.
Aisin-Gioro Puyi, commonly known as Puyi, was the last emperor of China as the eleventh emperor and monarch of the Qing Dynasty. He became emperor at the age of two in 1908. But he was forced to abdicate in 1912 during the Xinhai Revolution.
Puyi was an important political figure in Asia until the end of World War II, when he was imprisoned in Japan until 1959. He died in 1967.
Although it is not clear how Puyi acquired the watch. However, he is known to have survived the five years he spent in a USSR prison camp in Siberia.
“It is not known how Puyi acquired the watch. Although records indicate that it was originally sold through a luxury shop in Paris. Phillips added that historical documents prove the former emperor took it with him to a Soviet prison camp in Khabarovsk,” CNN's Oliver Hollands writes.
“Later he gave it to Georgy Permyakov, a connoisseur of Mandarin. Permyakov served as his teacher and translator of Russian during his detention. Almost a decade after his return to China, Puyi was pardoned. He lived as a citizen in Beijing until his death in 1967.
“Permyakov, meanwhile, kept the watch until his death in 2005. Then the watch was taken by his heirs and given to Phillips by its current owner in 2019.”.
The watch was purchased by an unknown telephone bidder from Hong Kong. It is the most valuable watch Phillips Watches has ever sold in Asia.
Source: jewellermagazine.com
