2023-11-02 04:30:00
– Geneva under a rain of watches and jewelry
Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Antiquorum will hold their major fall sales from November 4 to 7. Be careful, treasures in sight!
Published today at 5:30 a.m.
Bodice ornament in natural pearls and diamonds, circa 1865. Estimate: between 270,000 and 450,000 francs.
SOTHEBY’S
Difficult to miss! In town, posters announcing the big fall auctions are everywhere. And it is Antiquorum which opens the ball of dispersions in the room. On Saturday, November 4, the Geneva house will present 245 lots, either very affordable or without reserve prices. Watches of course, but also marine chronometers and table clocks. Among which, a Gérald Genta watch with a dial adorned with a happy Mickey stretching out his arms to indicate the time. An iconic model from the 90s.
That said, Antiquorum saved the best for last. Lot 245, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual in steel, ref. 6098, was offered to the famous mountaineer and doctor Gabriel Chevalley, upon his return from the Swiss Everest expedition in 1952, as a tribute to his exploits. Because man played a central role in the first Himalayan expeditions. Moreover, the watch is accompanied by accessories such as ice picks, crampons, photographs and even a book signed by all the members of this epic. Estimate: between 20,000 and 40,000 francs.
On Sunday, November 5, it’s time for the rest of the lots, more than 340, including nearly 60 pocket watches. With, in particular, a 100-year-old snuffbox, in yellow gold and enamel, hiding a farmyard scene animated by eleven moving figurines (estimated at 100,000-200,000 francs). And above all, a Patek Philippe ref. 865/95m “Romanshorn” from 1988 in yellow gold, painted by enamel virtuoso Suzanne Rohr. This miniature painting represents the small village of Romanshorn, on the shores of Lake Constance, in the canton of Thurgau. Namely that due to the complexity of her work, the Genevan produced only two pieces per year on average and that many of them were never marketed. Estimate: between 500,000 and 800,000 francs.
In the court of Vienna
November 6 and 7 will follow Sotheby’s and its jewelry sale entitled “Vienna 1900: An Imperial and Royal Collection”. The most important and largest collection of Viennese imperial and royal jewelry ever put up for auction. In all, more than 200 lots belonging to a single owner and coming from European royal houses linked to the Austrian Habsburg dynasty. But the most astonishing thing is that this collection, which is resurfacing for the first time in almost a century, has preserved all of its pieces in their original design and their condition is intact. She was hidden in a bank vault. Which gives us an overall estimate of between 3 and 5 million francs.
Among the star lots, let us cite this impressive bodice ornament that looks like a garland enhanced with natural pearls. It was given to Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria-Teschen as a wedding gift in 1865. According to specialists, it is probably the most important 19th century gem put up for auction in recent years. Estimate: between 270,000 and 450,000 francs.
Diamond necklace from Adler, adorned with a 93.94-carat Paraíba tourmaline, The Blue Lagoon. Estimate: between 1.3 and 2.5 million francs.
SOTHEBY’S
As for the traditional “Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels” sale which will take place on November 8 and will feature important signed pieces, both vintage and contemporary, it will also include rare historical jewelry as well as a beautiful range of tiaras dating from the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.
Still, a necklace specially made by Adler for sale is likely to cause a sensation. Estimate: between 1.3 and 2.5 million francs. This piece, entirely paved with diamonds, features at its center the largest Paraíba tourmaline of exceptional quality ever offered at auction. Called “The Blue Lagoon”, it shines with its weight – 93.94 carats! –, its absence of inclusions, its oval size and its spectacular neon color.
Extremely rare blue diamond
Ring crowned with a 17.61 carat blue diamond. Estimate: between 31.8 and 45.4 million francs.
CHRISTIE’S
Christie’s, which is organizing online sales from November 3 to 16, where the Fürst pearl necklace worn by Audrey Hepburn in the final scene of “Roman Holiday” – a film which won her the Oscar for best actress – will also hold an indoor jewelry sale on November 7. With, as a highlight, Royal Blue. In private hands for fifty years, this 17.61-carat Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue pear-cut diamond is the largest stone of its kind ever to come to auction. Estimate: between 31.8 and 45.4 million francs.
And on November 6, it will be the turn of timepieces to go under the hammer. Created over forty years of passion by collector Mohammed Zaman (Sultanate of Oman), this large collection has as its flagship lot the Grande and Petite Sonnerie No. 1 by Philippe Dufour. A watch with a sober appearance but which required more than two years of work before leaving the workshops in 1992. This Carillon Minute Repeater, only 39 mm in diameter and 14 mm thick, was his first watch made as a watchmaker independent. It is estimated at 4 to 6 million francs.
Sylvie Lefebvre-Guerreiro has been editor-in-chief of Tribune des Arts magazine since 2021. Journalist with the same title since January 2000, she specializes in art, watchmaking and jewelry.More info
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