GLau, a self-proclaimed enamel addict and WatchProSite contributor, offers an exclusive look into the Dubai Watch Week event held in Hong Kong. His detailed account provides a collector's perspective on the curated exhibition of watches with Asian influences, held at Christie's in the iconic Zaha Hadid-designed Henderson building. GLau's personal reflections on his choice of enamel pieces and interactions with industry figures like Wei Koh and Austen Chu illuminate the vibrant community spirit of high horology.
It was held in the offices of Christie's in The Henderson (developed by Henderson Land, a well know listed property developer in Hong Kong ), designed by the renowned architectural firm Zaha Hadid and inspired by the budd of Bauhinia (the official flower for Hong Kong). The theme was watches with Asian influences and the pieces were curated by WristCheck (an upside scale pre-owned watch shop located in the Landmark, with shops such as Tiffany, LV, Bottega and other big brands) which borrowed the pieces from collectors.
For such a dinner, yours truly self-proclaimed enamel addict/slave for WPS naturally thought of Anita Porchet and her pieces ! The day of the event, I was debating whether it should it be the Rousseau enamel lion or the hefty 5131P with a "spiced" lime-green strap that matches the vegetation in the North Pole. After thinking about it for a second, it was a no brainer for me to be double-wristed along with a shirt with colorful sleeves that compliment the enamel dials well !
Austen Chu (co-founder of WristCheck and is aka The AP Prince who has been very busy since giving birth to his baby) and I finally had a chance to catch up for lunch and at Dubai Watch Week. Expect expansion plans with strong support from BIG and knowledgeable collectors.
Also, I had the honour to sit with Wei Koh of Revolution magazine and his other half and Robin Tellendier, the co-founder of Atelier Wen (an independent brand founded by two young French man that partnered with Chinese artisans in producing watches with guilloche dials). Wei's and my stories about our grail pieces were featured previously on A Collected Man (
https://www.acollectedman.com/blogs/journal/five-collectors-hardest-finds ) and we had much to catch up on.
Lots of alcohol accompanied that this tasty menu. All in all, it was a fun week !

Recognize these watch celebrities ?

Patek 6000R for China 🇨🇳 10th anniversary in 2015 (25 piece)

Ulysse Nardin Chinese Zodiac enamel serpent 🐍 (88 pieces)

Ulysse Nardin Chinese Zodiac enamel dragon 🐉 (88 pieces)

Vacheron Zheng He

Atelier Wan with guilloche dial made by Chinese artisans

Hong Kong 🇭🇰 limited edition of 50 pieces

China 🇨🇳 limited edition of 88 pieces in collaboration with Austen Chu (aka The AP Prince 🫅)

Wei Koh (founder of Revolution) with his significant half

AP Prince 🫅 Austen Chu with enamel slave/addict

Austen’s Rolex Lemans

Wei’s cartier with THE enamel Queen 👸 Anita Porchet’s enamel Lion 🦁 inspired by Henry Rousseau’s painting “The Dream” in MOMA

Wristcheck watchmaker Peter Elliot Glomb teaching a class

The Henderson

Very tasty food
About the Patek Philippe Ref. 5131
The Patek Philippe Complications reference 5131 is a World Time model, distinguished by its cloisonné enamel dial depicting a map of the world. This reference is part of a series that showcases Patek Philippe's expertise in both horological complications and traditional decorative arts, offering a functional travel watch with significant aesthetic appeal. It represents a continuation of the brand's long-standing tradition of producing World Time watches, updated with contemporary design elements and a self-winding movement. The 5131 is recognized for its intricate dial work, which varies depending on the specific metal and region depicted.
The watch features a 39.5mm case, available in various precious metals, housing the self-winding Caliber 240 HU. This movement provides a power reserve of 48 hours and drives the World Time complication, allowing the wearer to simultaneously view the time in 24 different time zones. The case is fitted with a sapphire crystal, ensuring durability and clear visibility of the detailed dial. Water resistance is rated at 30 meters, suitable for everyday wear. The fixed bezel frames the intricate dial, contributing to the watch's refined profile.
As a World Time model with a cloisonné dial, the 5131 appeals to collectors who appreciate both technical sophistication and artisanal craftsmanship. Its limited production and the unique hand-finished nature of each dial contribute to its desirability within the secondary market. The reference fits into Patek Philippe's Complications collection as a high-end travel watch, offering a distinctive alternative to more traditional time-only or chronograph models. Variants typically involve different precious metal cases and corresponding enamel map depictions.
Specifications
- Caliber
- Cal.240 HU
- Case
- yellow gold
- Diameter
- 39.5mm
- Dial
- blue
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
About the Patek Philippe Complications Ref. 5131P
The Patek Philippe Complications reference 5131P is a World Time model, distinguished by its platinum case and a cloisonné enamel dial depicting the Northern Hemisphere. This reference is part of Patek Philippe's ongoing commitment to the World Time complication, a mechanism that simultaneously displays the time in 24 different time zones. The 5131P represents a specific iteration within this series, known for its precious metal construction and artistic dial execution, setting it apart from other World Time references that may feature different case materials or dial motifs.
The watch is housed in a 39.5mm platinum case, featuring a sapphire crystal on both the front and the display back, allowing a view of the self-winding mechanical movement. The caliber powering this reference is the 240 HU, which provides a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. The case is water-resistant to 30 meters, suitable for protection against splashes. The dial's central map is meticulously crafted using the cloisonné enamel technique, a traditional artisanal method.
This reference appeals to collectors who value both horological complications and traditional decorative arts. Its limited production and the intricate craftsmanship of the enamel dial contribute to its desirability. The 5131P stands as a testament to Patek Philippe's expertise in combining complex mechanisms with high-level artistic expression, making it a notable piece within the brand's Complications collection and the broader landscape of high-end watchmaking.
Specifications
- Caliber
- 240 HU
- Case
- Platinum
- Diameter
- 39.5mm
- Dial
- Cloisonné enamel with Northern Hemisphere map
- Water Resist.
- 30m
- Crystal
- Sapphire