Auction season is upon us and starting off the year with a bang is the upcoming Sotheby's Hong Kong sale on October 6th. This year the auction features a variety of replica watches from modern to vintage (including this awesome Patek Philippe reference 2523 that we released here). But one noticeable change is happening in the selection of modern timepieces at auction ?a name we here at HODINKEE are happy to see is MB&F. As one of the foremost pioneers of innovation in timepieces, MB&F is a refreshing addition to the auction world, and have been performing very well in the past couple of years. Here are the three major pieces coming up at Sotheby's in Hong Kong.
Lot 2332 ?MB&F HM3 StarcrusierLot 2332
This watch, the HM3 (or No. 3), is one of the most recognizable MB&F models. This piece comes in many variations, but this particular one is the Starcruiser made in titanium and white gold. It is automatic with a three dimensional movement fitted into the frog-form case. The complications of the HM3 Starcruiser are the date, day and night indication. Less than 50 of these replica watches were made, and they come up for auction very seldom; Christie's had one in 2012, for instance. The estimate on this fake watch is HKD 280,000 to 380,000 ($36,000 to $49,000).
Lot 2333 ?MB&F HM5Lot 2333
The Zirconium Aerodynamic HM5, released in 2012, is part of a limited series of 66 pieces. The Horological Machine Five follows in the footsteps of No. 4. The best way to describe this fake watch is that it is similar to a driving fake watch with the hour and minutes visible from the side. HM5 is recognizable by its wedge-shaped case with air-vent slats on the top of the case that open. The open slats also reveal the time from above and also allow light to filter in and re-charge the LumiNova numbers on the hour and minute disks. The estimate on the HM5 is HKD 280,000 to 380,000.
Lot 2335 ?A Unique Yellow Gold MB&F HM4 ThunderboltLot 2335
This fake watch is part of the HM4 series, but it is not just any series 4, ?it is a unique piece. Why is it unique you ask? Well it is based on the original design of the HM4 Thunderbolt, released in 2010, but made in yellow gold ?the only HM4 ever made in this metal. The HM4, known for its spaceship-like shape based on paintings of WWII aircrafts, features a three-dimensional horological engine made of 311 parts and a horizontal twin mainspring barrel. The two dials are places in the wider end of the tubular jet-like parts of the case. This unique piece is estimated for a whopping HKD 1,000,000 to 1,500,000.
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