WHEN YOU HAVE MONEY, YOU REALLY CAN HAVE TIME ON YOUR HANDS!
Tim Bourne, Sotheby's Worldwide Head of Watches holding the stunning Pearl from the Golden Oyster Clock by Patek Philippe
This is true. Just think of what money can do. For those who say money cannot buy time, I say at least cash can buy timepieces and nothing come more magnificent than these clocks which epitomise the height of creative clockmaking of the late 20th century.
These grand clocks, weighing 3 to 8 kgs, are meant for display on your work desk and for once, clock watching takes on a new meaning.
Normally office workers tend to glance at the wall clock to see if it was time to get ready to go home. Now the new owners of these clocks will stare at them just to marvel at the workmanship, creativity and passion that went into handmaking each masterpiece that does nothing but tell time.
But so wondrously and magnificently you feel like time can stand still.
Of the 22 that was sold by Sotheby's, 13 were made by Patek Philippe which is a miracle by itself. Patek Philippe is the world's most famous, fabulous and fantastically expensive watchmaker and NOT clockmakers yet Patek Philippe was persuaded by a bigtime collector with bottomless pockets to make unique, one of a kind clocks just for him.
Yes, for pots of cash and connections, Patek Philippe actually hand crafted 13 magnificent clocks of a kind never seen before by this renowned watchmaker. It is more common for connoisseurs to request Patek Philippe to create one-off watches since it theoretically it would have been easier since they can add, remove or amend existing models to create an unique piece for a favoured customer. But to sweet talk, coerce or blackmail Patek Philippe into making massive clocks was another matter.
Despite my pleas, Sotheby's refused to divulge the identity of the collector who acummulated 22 clocks over 30 years. The other clocks were made by Cartier which were pretty obvious since Cartier's signature, style and savoir-faire was so recognisable as well as Gerald Genta, Asprey and even Daniel Roth who is hardly known for making clocks!
Of course each of the more magnificent clocks ran into millions of ringgit and of the 22 clocks auctioned, 21 fetched more than its pre-sale estimates!
And no wonder---just drool at them!
The 22 clocks sold for RM 48 million, more than thrice from a presale estimate of RM 13.5 million.
This was the top lot and a world record for a Patek Philippe clock; The Magpie's Treasure Nest Clock 1992 by Patek Philippe. Sold for RM 7 million from a presale estimate of RM 1.2 million
Pearl from Golden Oyster Clock 1991 by Patek Philippe. Second highest bid at RM 4.4 million from a presale estimate of RM 1.3 million. This was the only clock bought by an European. The rest all went to Chinese buyers! Obviously this oyster can open and close! 
The Hummingbird Cage Clock 1992 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 4 million from an estimate of RM 1.1 million
The Flamingo and Lotus Automaton Clock 1990 by Cartier sold for RM 3.7 million. Bought by an American
The Birds of Paradise Fountain Clock 1991 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 3.2 million from an estimate of RM 1.1 million.
This is my favourite as I love the waterfall made from rock crystal which was artfully carved to resemble cascading water flowing from 2 rose quartz bowls into a blue sodalite bowl! What a tropical dream come true!
The Magical Musical Automaton Toy Cabinet by Jean and Pierre Bellin, 1990 sold for RM 3.1 million from an estimate of RM 790,000. There is no clock but this amazing cabinet opens and closes and contains moving figures of Alice in Wonderland dancing with the White Rabbit!
Daniel Roth Mystery Clock #1 1990 sold for RM 2.8 million, a world record for a Daniel Roth clock. The presale estimate was RM 400,000
The Grand Moghul Pavilion Mystery Clock 1990 by Cartier sold for RM 2.2 million from a presale estimate of RM 600,000
The Ruling Lions 1992 Clock by Patek Philippe sold for RM 2.1 million from an estimate of RM 600,000
The Egyptian Temple Panther Portico Mystery Clock 1990 by Cartier sold for RM 1.9 million from an estimate of RM 800,000
The Scholar Clock 1989 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 1.6 million from an estimate of RM 470,000
Magical Jasper Clock 1996 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 1.6 million from an estimate of RM 750,000
The Rock Crystal and Enamel Palace Clock 1991 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 1.5 million from an estimate of RM 600,000
The Aupicious Carp 1990 Clock by Patek Philippe sold for RM 1.5 million from an estimate of RM 600,000
The Royal Blue Masterpiece Dome Clock 1980 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 1.5 million from an estimate of RM 800,000
The Art Deco Panther Mystery Clock 1985 by Asprey sold for RM 1.3 million from a presale estimate of RM 400,000
The Auspicious Octagonal Centrepiece Clock 1990 by Gerald Genta 1990 sold for RM 1.3 million from an estimate of RM 240,000
The Lapis Lazuli and Rock Crystal Single Stem Mystery Clock 1990 sold for RM 1.05 million from an estimate of RM 470,000
The Blue Constellation Dome Clock 1987 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 730,000 from an estimate of RM 600,000
The Majestic Lion Family Clock 1990 by Gerald Genta sold for RM 670,000 from an estimate of RM 250,000. This is one of my favourites and I think is an excellent buy as the price is not so earth-shattering
Birds of the Woods Clock 1990 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 630,000 from an estimate of RM 275,000
Birds of the Night Clock 1993 by Patek Philippe sold for RM 540,000 from an estimate of RM 280,000
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