Keeping with the brand’s signature of curating the very best of artistry and beauty, Sotheby’s upcoming Luxury Pop-Up Glow & Glamour sale in the HongKong Salon will nod to this very history with its celebration of sophistication. Running until 13 March 2026, the exhibit is a curated encounter with some of the world’s most coveted lots and objects of collectors’ interest, including Hermès, F.P. Journe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, and Cartier, among a superlative collection of fine jewellery.
Throughout last year, Sotheby’s Hong Kong focused on museum-worthy solo art exhibitions — with French masters including the likes of Henry Moore, Auguste Rodin and Giuseppe Castiglione commanding attention during Hong Kong Art Week, while private sales unfolded discreetly behind closed doors. Glow & Glamour echoes that same philosophy with its emphasis on delivering lasting value, regional collection, and pieces that feel as relevant in twenty years as they do today.
The Watch Collection
True watchmaking has never been about decoration alone. The wristwatch evolved out of necessity — a demand for precision, authority, and technical prowess; and the greatest names in horology still honour that lineage with timepieces marked by innovation in complications and functionality. Few do so as rigorously as F.P. Journe. Distinctive at a glance, F.P. Journe’s creations balance technical ambition with an unmistakable design language.
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F.P. Journe Quantième Perpétuel Rose Gold
Commanding a price of USD 182,400, the F.P. Journe Quantième Perpétuel in rose gold is a study in quiet authority. Introduced in 2012 in 40mm and 42mm cases and in platinum or pink gold, it presents a natural progression from the Octa Calendrier — refining the perpetual calendar into something effortlessly wearable. The example presented in Sotheby’s Salon in Hong Kong pairs a silvered dial with a pink gold case — a combination that feels warm and supremely composed.
The maison’s decision to craft its references in 18k rose gold — a rarity when first introduced — speaks to its unyielding standards. Production remains deliberately limited, and demand regularly eclipses supply, which explains why multiple pieces consistently achieved 200,000 USD at auction and in private sales.
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Platinum
At the more engineered end of the spectrum sits the Chronomètre à Résonance in platinum (circa 2008) listed at USD 470,600. Among the first modern wristwatches to successfully incorporate resonance — a phenomenon long admired in scientific horology — it remains a milestone in independent watchmaking and a true symbol of innovation. The platinum case hosts a pink gold movement, replacing earlier brass constructions, underscoring the brand’s constant refinement. It is mechanically fascinating and visually unlike anything else on the market — precisely why collectors revere it.
If the past three decades of watch collecting have seen a surge in appetite for independents, F.P. Journe has been instrumental in shaping that narrative through exceptional foresight and storytelling of its pieces. Over several decades, the maison has built a formidable reputation in haute horology, earning international recognition and multiple “Watch of the Year” honours across key markets including Japan, the United States and Switzerland.
Cartier Panthère Secrète de Cartier
Where F.P. Journe speaks to horological purists, Cartier addresses culture itself. The arrival of Cartier in the early twentieth century transformed watches into statements of identity, and symbols of taste and wealth. The Panthère Secrète de Cartier (circa 2013), valued at USD 63,800, captures that spirit perfectly. Sculpted as the maison’s emblematic panther in 18k yellow gold, set with diamonds and onyx, the remarkable timepiece (Reference WG500131) conceals its dial within the creature’s form. Roman numerals and blued steel hands provide a classical counterpoint to its feline sensuality. It is jewellery first, timekeeper second — and entirely intentional.
Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Diamond Watch
Equally compelling is the Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra Diamond Watch (circa 2020), presented at USD 26,400. Rendered in white gold and set with diamond, it blurs the line between bracelet and watch, shifting buyers’ concept of watches from merely being timepieces to being wearable art. Since its debut in 1968, the Alhambra motif — inspired by the four-leaf clover — has symbolised good luck and grace.
Handbags and Jewellery
No conversation about enduring luxury is complete without Hermès. Leading the handbag selection is the Vert Amande Togo Kelly 25 Retourne (2022), valued at USD 24,000. Its colour — somewhere between soft sage and muted grey — feels understated yet distinctive. The fine crosshatch grain of Togo leather offers resilience without compromising elegance, while tonal Chèvre leather lining, and gold hardware introduce warmth and balance. Complete with strap, clochette, lock, keys, and original accessories, it is the kind of piece that quietly anchors a wardrobe.
Hermès jewellery follows the same disciplined design language. The Diamond Kelly Bracelet, set with baguette-cut diamonds, exemplifies proportion and brilliance achieved without flamboyance.
In contrast to Hermès's composed minimalism, Bulgari’s Serpenti Misteriosi ruby and diamond bracelet watch pulses with Roman character. Coiled and sculptural, its serpent head gleams with brilliant-cut diamonds and carved carnelian eyes, while ruby-set scales shimmer along its body. It is bold, expressive and unapologetically theatrical.
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In Closing
Throughout its existence, Sotheby’s has operated at the highest tier of global collecting, and built its international reputation on prestige, expertise and market insight. Yet in a market saturated with product, Glow & Glamour is built on selection — on pieces chosen not merely for condition or brand recognition, but for their relevance within the wider conversation of design, craftsmanship and heritage. For collectors in Hong Kong, this is not simply a retail display. It is a considered opportunity to acquire watches, jewellery and handbags that hold both aesthetic and market relevance — backed by Sotheby’s global platform and transactional experience.
