Fine Jewellery & Watches Sale

Christmas Sales Report

Our last Fine Jewellery & Watches Auction of 2020 was a great event, achieving above estimate hammer prices in all categories. Our 300 lot sale of antique, modern and designer jewellery, as well as ladies and gents wristwatches attracted the attention of our local bidders, as well as worldwide clients, who followed the sale and placed their bids via our three online bidding platforms, as well as through a multitude of telephone and commission bids. To view the full list of sales results, click here.

With Christmas around the corner, and a plethora of fantastic lots to choose from, there is no surprise that the sale was a great success. Here are the lots and categories below that really captured the attention of our bidders.

 

Wristwatches

One of the timepieces that was universally admired was this beautiful, hardly worn Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso wristwatch. Another piece consigned from a valuation appointment, this sleek and stylish watch came complete with its box and paperwork, in superb condition. After a multitude of condition reports, viewings and bids on this classic piece, one lucky bidder emerged victorious at £2,928. 

 

Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso

Lot 271 - A Jaeger Le Coultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin stainless steel manual wind wristwatch, sold for £2,928

 

Designer 

Our style-savvy bidders could not resist the appeal of the designer jewellery on offer this sale. Especially in the run up to Christmas, many of these pieces looked particularly appealing gifts for under the tree, at only a snippet of the retail price. First off was a beautiful 18ct gold diamond Astrale necklace by Bulgari, in a great timeless design that would work with any outfit, selling to one lucky lady for £2,440. 

 

Bulgari 18ct gold diamond Astrale necklace

Lot 108 - An 18ct Bulgari 'Astrale' gold and diamond necklace, sold for £2,440

Next up was a piece by one of the true giants of the jewellery world, Van Cleef & Arpels. This wonderfully luxurious and ergonomic diamond band ring consigned from a local lady attracted international interest and far exceeded its original estimate, selling at £1,220. 

An 18ct gold diamond band ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, 

Lot 199 - An 18ct gold diamond band ring by Van Cleef & Arpels, sold for £1,220

Another designer piece to sell well was this bold textured bracelet by Greek designer Ilias Lalaounis. Renowned for his sumptuous gold pieces, this 18ct gold bracelet embodied the style of this designer perfectly and sold to one of our online bidders for £1,159.

 

A bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis, designed as a series of grooved beads with a cylindrical push piece clasp, maker's marks for Ilias Lalaounis, stamped A21-750, length 19cm, gross weight 16.4g. 

 Lot 14 - A bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis, sold for £1,159

 

Diamonds

As usual, our diamond offering was highly popular at our viewing events, with the single stone rings capturing the imagination of our bidders. Two rings consigned from local ladies were the most popular lots out of the cabinets, with a 2.10ct brilliant cut diamond ring within a stylish baguette cut diamond setting selling for £4,026,  and a 1.25ct brilliant cut diamond solitaire ring with a great colour and clarity fetching £2,684.

A platinum diamond single stone ring, the brilliant cut diamond with baguette cut diamond trefoil sides, estimated total diamond weight 2.30cts, principal diamond estimated 2.10cts, estimated I-J colour, P1-P2 clarity, hallmarks for Birmingham, ring size O1/2, gross weight 6.2g.

Lot 136 - A platinum diamond single stone ring, sold for £4,026 

A diamond single stone ring, the brilliant cut diamond weighing approx. 1.25cts within a ten claw setting, estimated colour I-J, estimated clarity SI, stamped PLAT, ring size L, gross weight 3.3g.

Lot 165 - A diamond single stone ring, sold for £2,684

 

Antique Jewellery

Our sale featured several collections of fantastic antique jewellery, consigned from vendors across the UK. With such a wealth of market-fresh, unique antique pieces, it is unsurprising that we had such fantastic hammer prices. Top seller was a fabulous enamel necklace, with green detailing to one side and black to the other. In great condition and featuring some beautiful colours and patterns, this piece sold to an online bidder for £2,318. 

 

An enamel necklace, the green, red, black and white enamel openwork links with floral detailing and cross spacers, to the black and white enamel reverse, length 50.1cm, gross weight 41.7g.

Lot 126 - An enamel necklace, sold for £2,318

Another collection consigned locally that we were thrilled to present featured jewels related to the famed Walpole family. Comprising a memorial ring and gold locket from two separate generations of this fascinating family, these pieces sold to local collectors for above estimate at £878 and £1,708 respectively. 

 

Lot 240 - A George III swivel mourning ring, sold for £878

The Hon. Mrs. Diana Walpole, neé Grosset, married the Hon. Robert Walpole on 8th May 1780. Robert Walpole (1736 - 1810) was the fourth son of Horatio Walpole, 1st Baron Walpole of Wolterton, and nephew of Robert Walpole, 1st Earl of Orford, who is considered the de facto first Prime Minister of Great Britain. 

 

Lot 99 - A late Victorian 18ct gold photograph miniature locket, the oval shape hinged locket with engraved with monogram, cartouche and 'Diana' to front, and coat of arms to reverse, the locket opening to reveal a photograph miniature of Diana Caroline Walpole, with inscription reading 'Diana Caroline 2nd daughter and co-heiress of Reginald Robert Walpole, great grandson of Horatio 1st Lord Walpole of Walterton and great great grandson (maternally) of Sir Edward Seymour 8th Duke of Somerset. married XVIII April MDCCCLXXVI to James Boughey Monk Linguard Monk M.A, Trinity College, Cambridge, only child of Richard Boughey Monk Linguard-Monk of Fulshaw Hall, Wilmslow, Cheshire.' hallmarks for EK, London, 1881, length 6.7cm, gross weight 59.7g. Sold for £1,708

 

To read more about our Walpole related jewellery lots, check out our blog

 


Please note prices stated are inclusive of Buyer's Premium

Our next Fine Jewellery & Watches Sale will take place on Thursday 18th March, with the closing date for entries on Friday 19th February. 

Contact our Jewellery Specialist Liz Bailey MA FGA DGA CPAA for a free, confidential and up-to-date auction valuation. Email on liz@peterwilson.co.uk , give us a call on 01270 623 878, or fill in our online valuation form.

 

Free auction valuation

Get a free auction valuation with our team of experts.

Get a valuation

News

Click the button below to read more news articles.

News Articles