Joey Luk's watch collection

Joey Luk, global head of watch collections sourcing and sales at Sotheby’s, has over a decade of experience in the watches auction market. From iconic classics with notable twists to rare unique timepieces, she takes us through the standouts from last month’s Fine Watches auction, the Sotheby’s Salon and her personal collection 

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Coral

This Rolex Coral Oyster Perpetual from the Sotheby’s Salon is a highlight for me. Rolex made waves in 2020 with the introduction of a captivating Oyster Perpetual lineup inspired by the iconic “Stella” dials from the 1970s. With its classic 36mm size, this reference has become highly sought-after by collectors. The red coral dial is also perfect for the festive season. 

Cartier Santos Dumont Ref. 1575

One of the most prized pieces from my personal collection would be the Cartier Santos Dumont Ref. 1575. Limited to only 50 pieces, this watch is cased in platinum and made to commemorate Santos Dumont. The dial is different from the regular Santos and features an eye-catching “Santos Dumont” text in the centre. 

Rolex Daytona “Beach” Green

This timepiece was featured in the recent Fine Watches auction. Rolex introduced vibrant hard stone dials for their Daytona collection in the early 2000s, adding a playful twist to their timeless chronographs. This watch features an apple green dial crafted from chrysoprase, a rare gemstone variety of chalcedony which displays varying shades of green. 

Patek Philippe Ref. 5960

Also from the Fine Watches auction, the reference 5960 was first presented in 2006 as Patek Philippe’s first in-house chronograph wristwatch, combined with the annual calendar complication. The day, date and month are displayed in three separate aperture windows in a fan-shaped formation between the 10 and 2 o’clock positions. Another notable dial feature is the mono-subdial counters at 6 o’clock, with the white outer hour track contrasting with the larger black dial. 

F.P.Journe Chronomètre Bleu

From the sotheby’s Salon, this watch immediately grasps one’s attention with its spectacular blue dial, presenting itself in an enigmatic contrast. The present watch is cased in tantalum, a blue-grey metal rarely used in watchmaking due to its difficulty to be fashioned. However, it shows superior resistance to corrosion and wear once the watchmaker overcomes the challenges in mastering the use of this material. 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 8638

Another favourite would be this AP. Seldom do these early steel automatic Royal Oaks for ladies come to market, especially in such original condition. This watch has been well preserved with very sharp and crisp finishing to the case. The case size is 29mm, making it a great watch for daily wear. 

Also see: Gift Guide Christmas 2024: Top jewellery pieces to glam up your holiday