Collect with Passion, Curate with Knowledge: The John Shaw Patek Philippe Collection

The Shaw family commands profound respect in the business world in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. John Shaw’s grandfather, Runde Shaw (1898–1973), founded the Tianyi Film Company in the 1920s, which, together with ‘Shaw Brothers’, became Asia’s most famous film production empire. John himself has inherited his family’s passion for collecting, with diverse interests spanning Eastern and Western art, music, furniture, and, of course, watches. He is also recognised as a leading authority and judge in the realm of pedigree Pekingese dogs, owning and breeding many of the world’s top show dogs.

Nestled in the lush, green hills of Kowloon, we were invited into John Shaw’s home to view his proud collection of timepieces and meet his charming and noble Pekingese dogs. John’s longtime friend, Kevin Ching, Chairman of Christie’s Asia, remarked that the breadth and depth of John’s passions truly make him ‘a modern-day Renaissance man.’ Amidst laughter and lively conversation, John’s collecting journey unfolded before us.

‘My father and grandfather were both watch enthusiasts. I was given my first Rolex in Grade one, and my first Patek Philippe in Grade Four, which started my whole collecting endeavour.’ John revealed that from a young age, his family taught him that collecting is not merely about ownership but requires passion and dedication. He has channeled his insatiable curiosity and meticulous research into the realm of rare timepieces, making each acquisition a fulfilling and memorable experience.

John’s first university degree was in Mathematics, instilling in him a discipline of precision and perfection in all things. He lives by the philosophy that if something is worth doing, it is worth doing excellently. This ethos has led his purebred dogs to win top awards worldwide, just as the watches he collects represent the pinnacle of horological artistry.

‘The precision and accuracy of well-made watches were particularly appealing to me.’ John explained. This is why Patek Philippe remains his most cherished brand. Patek Philippe has long been regarded as the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking, creating mechanical masterpieces that embody generations of expertise and craftsmanship. Each Patek Philippe watch is a work of mechanical art, embodying the wisdom and skill of the most outstanding watchmakers and designers across generations. The Patek Philippe watches in Mr. Shaw’s collection showcase a remarkable variety of models, featuring iconic complications that have defined the brand’s legacy, and spanning both modern pieces and highly important vintage wristwatches from the mid-20th century—often regarded as the ‘golden era’ of Patek Philippe’s design and craftsmanship.

‘I have several key principles for collecting watches: First, the proportions of the watch are paramount, as a well-made watch is very appealing to the eye. Second, focus on the complications and craftsmanship, such as split time chronographs, minute repeaters, and perpetual calendar. Third is refined design, like the Ref. 5089. The dial of this watch is made of different wood species and colours. Finally, the enamel dials (Grand Feu Technique). This requires enamel powder placed on a gold dial and fired up to a high temperature to achieve the finish——a highly challenging process. After undergoing intense heat, the enamel reveals bursting, vibrant colors.’

Ref. 5016 was the most complicated watch made by Patek Philippe prior to 2001, integrating a minute repeater, perpetual calendar, tourbillon, and more into one creation. Its case was crafted by the late legendary case maker Jean-Pierre Hagmann, making it a veritable work of art.

The world time function allows the wearer to tell the time across the globe at a single glance. It was one of Patek Philippe’s most celebrated complications during the first half of the 20th century. The Ref. 542 Patek Philippe in John's collection is one of the brand's earliest and smallest world time wristwatches, with fewer than five examples known to exist. One resides in the Patek Philippe Museum, a testament to its exceptional rarity.

This coin watch holds an irreplaceable position in John’s heart. ‘It looks exactly like a twenty-dollar coin, but opens to reveal an exquisite watch. Extreme precision is necessary to carve and hollow out an authentic 1904 Twenty Dollar USD coin to house in a watch.’ he remarked. This kind of unparalleled ingenuity has been a significant inspiration on his collecting journey.

For aspiring collectors looking to start their own journey, John shares his hard-earned wisdom: ‘Find your true passion and never stop learning. The journey to appreciate the craftsmanship and intricacies involved in complicated watches is addictive; Don't just follow trends. On the contrary, look for an undervalued piece that is not trendy; Provenance is very important for vintage timepieces, perhaps obtaining them from a reputable auction house is a good start; And finally, a well-made timepiece with a good pedigree will always retain its value. So voilà, you can have the cake and eat it too!’

Having navigated the art world for decades, Kevin Ching offered a simple analogy to help us understand the significance of John's Patek Philippe collection: ‘What makes a work of art truly priceless? It must be a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with clear and documented historical provenance, exist in rarity, possess a universal aesthetic beauty, and evoke an emotional resonance. These criteria apply not only to art but are also essential measures to value a watch. Every single timepiece in John's collection meets these universal standards of collecting.’

The John Shaw Patek Philippe Collection live sale will be held on 26 November 2025 during Christie’s Autumn Luxury Week in Hong Kong. It will present 60 rare and highly sought-after Patek Philippe timepieces spanning from vintage to modern. Each one of the offerings has been carefully selected by Mr. Shaw for either its complexity or, conversely, its simplicity and aesthetic beauty. Mr. Shaw is delighted to give other collectors and enthusiasts the opportunity to continue the story of these horological treasures.