Fan clock, erotic watch headline Antiquorum

New York--A bejeweled fan with a clock at the end of its handle gifted to a Chinese emperor in 1792 is among the pieces being offered at Antiquorum’s Oct. 23 auction in Hong Kong.

“La Colère d’Achille” is a fan crafted of 20-karat gold and set with silver, ivory, enamel, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and agate gifted to Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty by George III of the United Kingdom.

Created in the late 18th century by jewelry and timepiece maker James Cox, the fan (above) has a small watch made of gold and blue enamel at the end of its handle. When opened and closed, the fan forms a total of nine five-clawed flying dragons, a symbol of the supreme sovereignty of the Chinese emperor.

It is estimated to fetch between $141,000 and $193,000.

Another highlight of Antiquorum’s October sale in Hong Kong is “The Theatre,” an 18-karat yellow gold and enamel minute-repeating musical watch with two erotic automaton scenes.

Antiquorum said the circa 1815 watch is “undoubtedly” the work of Geneva watchmaker Henry Capt and is one of eight known examples by him. It is expected to garner between $154,000 and $231,000.

Also up for auction will be a collection of modern Patek Philippe wristwatches, which hold growing interest among watch collectors.

The highlight of the Patek Philippe’s is a Ref. 3939HP, a minute-repeating platinum watch with one-minute tourbillon regulator sold in November 2004 (below).

Accompanied by a fitted box, certificate of origin, COSC certificate and additional case back, the watch is expected to fetch between $366,000 and $418,000.

Antiquorum’s “Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces” Auction will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong. A preview is scheduled for Oct. 20-22 at the Antiquorum Auctioneers showroom in Hong Kong.

A total of 384 timepieces are slated for inclusion in the auction.