A rare Patek Philippe watch once owned by Aisin-Gioro Puyi, the last emperor of China’s Qing dynasty, is set to go up for auction later this year. Puyi, who ascended to the throne when he was just three years old, was forced to abdicate in 1912 during the Chinese Revolution but continued to live in luxury until he was ousted during a coup in 1924. He later became Japan’s puppet emperor of the state of Manchuria and managed to keep the watch, a Reference 96 Quantieme Lune, throughout his tumultuous life after abdication, even during his five-year captivity by the Soviets in Siberia.
The watch is incredibly rare and sought after, featuring a moon-phase and triple-date calendar, and was finished by Patek Philippe in 1937. At the time, it was one of the most expensive watches the brand made, with only eight models of the Reference 96 created, three of which exist with this particular silvered dial, rose-gold chapter ring, and enamel hour markers.
Even without its royal history, the watch would be a highlight of any auction season, according to auctioneer Aurel Bacs of Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo. During the 1930s, the shrinking of components to fit complications into slim timepiece cases was a novelty that only skilled artisans could achieve. The first wristwatches with any complications appeared in the 1920s, but the Great Depression deeply affected the watch market and the demand for expensive novelties. When the market recovered, watchmakers once again turned to the challenge of adding complications.
Patek Philippe purchased one of the three Ref 96 watches at a 2003 Sotheby’s auction for about $2 million to showcase in its Geneva museum. Today, the watch is expected to fetch a price in the seven figures, based on similar sales in the past. The collector’s market has come a long way in the last 20 years, making it difficult to estimate the watch’s value accurately. However, given its historical significance and rarity, it is sure to be a sought-after item for collectors and watch enthusiasts alike.
Originally published on Bloomberg.com
