Business News: Phillips Perpetual Opens in Hong Kong

The auctioneer's first boutique in Asia.

Five years since opening its first concept store in London, Phillips has now officially launched Phillips Perpetual in Hong Kong. Conceived as a conduit for collectors to buy and sell watches between the biannual auction seasons, Perpetual is located in Pedder Building, a 1920s Beaux-Arts style located in the Central business district.

Established in 2019 with a showroom in London and led by James Marks, Perpetual is the private-sale arm of the auction house that allows clients to buy and sell anytime, instead of during the traditional May and November auctions. Perpetual operates physical stores in London and Hong Kong, along with a seasonal pop-up in Gstaad, as well as its e-commerce platform. The Hong Kong outpost strengthens its foothold in Asia, home to many of Phillips’ important clients.

Something for everyone

As with its London store, the Hong Kong boutique’s offerings will continually evolve. At opening, however, Perpetual in Hong Kong showcases diversity in terms of brands, complications, and styles. The flagship offering is a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime ref. 6300G-010, the brand’s most complicated wristwatch boasting a grande and petite sonnerie, alarm, date repeater, second time zone, and an instantaneous perpetual calendar.

Another highlight is the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Tourbillon “Homage to F.A. Lange” in Honey Gold launched in 2010 to mark the 165th birthday of its founder. Setting it apart from the earlier Lange 1 Tourbillon is a larger aperture that provides a better view of the tourbillon, a guilloche dial, and damaskeened movement bridges.

The honey gold Lange 1 Tourbillon “Homage to F.A. Lange”. Image – Phillips.

At the other end of the spectrum in style and substance – but still a manual-wind tourbillon – is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon “Rainbow” adorned with 468 brilliant-cut gemstones in a variety of colours. Another popular sports watch that is also on show is the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin ref. 4300V in rose gold with a blue dial.