Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo and Vintage Grail recently hosted ‘Phillips Watches in Manila,’ an exclusive evening of horological discovery.
This intimate cocktail event, held at Old Manila in The Peninsula Manila, brought together elite collectors, seasoned enthusiasts, and aspiring aficionados for a milestone collaboration between Phillips—renowned globally for its record-breaking auctions—and Vintage Grail, the Philippines’ leading curator of rare and collectible timepieces.
Established in 2018 by young businessmen and watch collectors Paolo Martel, Jesse Maxwell, and Franco Varona, Vintage Grail has built a robust network of collectors and dealers across Asia, creating a trusted hub for horological treasures.
“Partnering with Paolo Martel and his team felt like a natural fit,” said Thomas Perazzi, Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Phillips Asia. “We share a profound passion for horology. This event introduced the local community to an international perspective on watch collecting, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of this sophisticated craft.”
The evening’s highlight was a fireside chat between Perazzi and Martel, moderated by Varona, where they explored trends in global collecting, the rise of independent brands, and the enduring appeal of vintage models.
“We still have people who love the big brands—Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet—but lately we’ve seen a growing market for independent watches,” said Martel. “We also see a lot of people gravitating to vintage Cartier, Rolex Day-Date. The collecting community enjoys this because the entry level, from a price point of view, is very accessible.”
He added, “Every month, we see 25% of our client base are new clients—and younger.”
The evening’s showcase added a compelling visual and historical layer to the event, featuring an array of standout timepieces known for their craftsmanship and rarity.
Highlights included examples from Richard Mille, the military-issued Rolex “MilSub” Ref. 5513/5517, the angular Cartier Tank Obus, and the vibrant Rolex Day-Date 36 “Puzzle.” Also on view was an extremely rare museum piece vintage Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar ref. 2497J. and other models from Audemars Piguet. Rounding out the display was the Rolex Daytona Ref. 6240, a grail-level chronograph for collectors.
Phillips, recognized as the leading auction house for collectible timepieces, also shared highlights from its record-setting sales and offered guests private appraisal sessions through Vintage Grail.
“Collectors should always start with what they love—what they enjoy wearing,” Perazzi noted.
According to Martel, building a meaningful collection means striking the right balance—and grounding every purchase in passion.
“I think everybody has to have a mix,” said Martel. “You have to have a little bit of modern, a little bit of vintage, and some independent as well.”
He added, “A lot of people look at watches as an investment, and when you look at it purely as an investment tool, that’s when you get into trouble. It cannot be the main decision factor as to why you buy a watch. You have to do your research, you have to make sure you’re buying quality pieces that will stand the test of time. But it has to be driven by passion.”
