A Patek Philippe watch owned by Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) was sold for HK$48.85 million ($6.2 million) Tuesday at an auction in Hong Kong. Photo: VCG

The platinum timepiece is known for its exquisite design and “moon phase” function, which displays the positions and phases of the moon based on the sun. Photo: IC Photo

The watch carries an 86-year history, and today only eight of its kind are known to exist. Photo: IC Photo

An 18-carat gold timepiece with the words ‘David 23-6-52 Wallis’ engraved on the back was sold for €3,600 ($3,881) at auction last year. Photo: VCG

The watch is believed to have been a gift to the Duke of Windsor on his 58th birthday from his American wife Wallis Simpson. Photo: VCG

The Lemania chronograph, which once belonged to former U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, went for £162,500 ($204,154) at Sotheby’s in 2017. Photo: VCG/IC Photo

In 2021, this wristwatch belonging to Pablo Picasso sold for £150,000 — 10 times its estimated worth. The Spanish painter used the letters of his name instead of numbers on the face of the watch. The piece was produced in 1960 by Swiss manufacturer Michael Z Berger. Photo: VCG

Once owned by Bruce Lee, this wristwatch featuring a wide leather band with metal decorations was auctioned for £9,000 ($9,706) in 2018. Photo: VCG

The Omega Constellation watch, which rock star Elvis Presley gave to a friend while on military duty in the late 1950s, sold for more than $50,000 at auction in New York in 2012. The piece itself was worth just under $1,500. Photo: VCG

In 2012, Sotheby’s Hong Kong held an auction offering 43 lots of jewelry and watches once owned by the legendary Hong Kong pop star Anita Mui. This Jacob Arabo five-time zone steel and diamond piece fetched HK$137,500 at the auction. Photo: VCG