Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has unveiled a new group of highlights for The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII, led by an exceptionally rare F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Parking Meter” from The Armoury co-founder Mark Cho’s personal collection. Limited to just five examples, the platinum-cased watch carries an estimate of HK$6 million to HK$12 million, approximately $769,000 to $1.54 million, ahead of the November 2026 sale.
The consignment adds a personal dimension to the auction, as Cho collaborated directly with F.P. Journe founder François-Paul Journe on the watch’s distinctive details. Alongside the “Parking Meter,” Phillips has announced three additional F.P. Journe timepieces, as well as watches by Kari Voutilainen, Beat Haldimann, Théo Auffret, and Kiu Tai Yu. The selection expands the sale’s focus on independent watchmaking, rare configurations, and pieces with significant collector provenance.
The latest announcement follows Phillips’ earlier reveal of important Patek Philippe lots, including a first-series Reference 2499 in yellow gold and a Reference 1518 in pink gold. Together, the selections establish a varied lineup for The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII, with established Swiss manufacturers and independent watchmakers represented among its leading lots.
Mark Cho’s Personal F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance
The standout F.P. Journe watch traces its origins to the brand’s Chronomètre à Résonance, a model inspired by François-Paul Journe’s early experiments with resonance and the work of 18th-century watchmaker Antide Janvier. Journe built his first resonance pocket watch in 1983 before introducing the wristwatch version in 2000. Its twin resonance-assisted escapements distinguish it from conventional mechanical watches.
The example consigned by Cho belongs to the third series, introduced in 2010 with a redesigned dial. Its framed 24-hour display resembles a parking meter, giving the watch the nickname used by collectors.
Cho developed his personal version after spending time with a Résonance owned by Pierre Halimi. Journe reserved the final five 38mm platinum cases for the special project, with the watches delivered in late 2018. Cho requested that the letter “A” in “Chronomètre à Résonance” appear in The Armoury’s signature gold, while also selecting the navy-and-warm-toned dial.
The result is a limited production of five watches that combines F.P. Journe’s technical approach with details reflecting Cho’s personal preferences. Its appearance at Phillips is particularly notable because the watch is being offered directly from the collection of the person who helped shape its design.
Three More F.P. Journe Watches Headline the Sale
Beyond Cho’s Chronomètre à Résonance, Phillips has highlighted three additional F.P. Journe watches with distinct production histories.
A circa-2001 Tourbillon Souverain No. 069 leads the group with an estimate of HK$3.9 million to HK$11.6 million, approximately $500,000 to $1.49 million. The platinum-cased watch features a polished yellow-gold dial and belongs to the early brass-movement series. According to the auction house, only nine examples with this configuration are currently documented.
The model combines a tourbillon with a remontoir d’égalité, a constant-force mechanism designed to regulate the energy delivered to the escapement. Its rarity and early production date make it another significant F.P. Journe offering in the November sale.
The Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire Hong Kong Boutique Edition, numbered 10 of 20, was produced in 2016 and carries an estimate of HK$2.4 million to HK$4.8 million, or approximately $308,000 to $615,000. The watch’s limited production and connection to the Hong Kong boutique give it particular relevance to the regional auction.
Completing the trio is the Octa Calendrier Ruthenium, numbered 01 of 99 and identified as the first-produced example. Its estimate exceeds HK$1.6 million, approximately $205,000, adding another low-numbered F.P. Journe reference to the catalog.
Kari Voutilainen, Beat Haldimann, and Other Independent Watchmakers
The independent watchmaking selection extends beyond F.P. Journe to include several makers whose work appeals to collectors seeking unusual complications and limited production.
A titanium Kari Voutilainen Vingt-8 with a hand-guilloché blue enamel dial is among the notable additions. One of only two special commissions in titanium, the watch is estimated at HK$1.5 million to HK$2.5 million, approximately $192,000 to $321,000. Its combination of an uncommon case material and detailed dial work distinguishes it from standard production examples.
Beat Haldimann’s platinum H1 Flying Central Tourbillon “The PuristS Edition” Series 2 follows with an estimate of HK$1 million to HK$2 million, or roughly $128,000 to $256,000.
The catalog also includes Théo Auffret’s Tourbillon à Paris Subscription No. 18, which will make its auction debut, offering collectors an early public-market reference for the model. Kiu Tai Yu’s limited-edition white-gold HK 2000 rounds out the selection.
Together, these watches highlight the diversity of independent watchmaking, from hand-finished dials to unconventional tourbillon constructions. Their limited production and individual histories provide a counterpoint to the more widely recognized names elsewhere in the auction.
The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII Dates and Preview Details
The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII is scheduled for November 21 and 22, 2026, with each session beginning at 11 a.m. local time. Phillips will host a public preview from November 16 through November 22 at its WKCDA Tower location in West Kowloon.
Selected watches will also be presented in advance of the auction in Hong Kong, Taipei, Geneva, and Singapore, giving collectors additional opportunities to examine the pieces in person.
With Mark Cho’s rare F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance at the forefront, the sale brings together watches distinguished by limited production, unusual configurations, and direct connections to their creators. Phillips will publish the complete catalog, estimates, and bidding information through its official website.
As the November dates approach, the combination of Cho’s personal commission and the broader selection of independent makers positions The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XXIII as a notable event on the international watch-collecting calendar.
Featured image: Phillips
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