Fine Jewellery & Watches

Hammer Highlights

Our first specialist Fine Jewellery & Watch Auction featured over 400 lots of fine modern and antique jewellery, wristwatches and pocketwatches. Taking place on the 19th March, the sale proved to be a big success, despite the looming uncertainty surrounding the spread of the Coronavirus. Thankfully, the market for jewellery and watches remained buoyant, with pieces reaching fantastic heights, a busy viewing and great turnout on saleday in spite of everything! The hammer highlights from this fantastic sale are as follows: 

Diamond Jewellery

 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the market remains strong for fine diamond jewellery. Large solitaire rings and trilogy rings were the order of the day with fierce competition for fine stones with excellent colour, cut, clarity and carat weights! Top selling lot of the jewellery section was an impressive 2.30ct round brilliant cut diamond within a classic four claw solitaire setting. With a wonderful colour and clarity, this stone dazzled our bidders and got away on the day for £6,000.A platinum diamond single stone ring, the brilliant cut diamond within a four claw setting, estimated diamond weight 2.30cts, estimated colour I-J, estimated clarity SI, hallmarks for London, ring size M, gross weight 5.5g.A platinum diamond single stone ring, the brilliant cut diamond within a four claw setting, estimated diamond weight 2.30cts, estimated colour I-J, estimated clarity SI, hallmarks for London, ring size M, gross weight 5.5g. Sold for £6,000.

 

Elsewhere, a wonderful diamond three stone, or trilogy ring really caught the attention of our bidders. Set with three extremely well matched round brilliant cut diamonds of approximately 0.90cts each and in a modern yet timeless platinum setting, this fantastic piece was undoubtedly the most viewed ring in the week up to the sale and sold for £4,000.

A platinum diamond three stone ring, the brilliant cut diamond line with shared claw settings and tapered shoulders, estimated total diamond weight 2.70cts, estimated colour H-I, estimated clarity SI, hallmarks for London, ring size L1/2, gross weight 6.7g.

A platinum diamond three stone ring, the brilliant cut diamond line with shared claw settings and tapered shoulders, estimated total diamond weight 2.70cts, estimated colour H-I, estimated clarity SI, hallmarks for London, ring size L1/2, gross weight 6.7g. Sold for £4,000.

 

A stylish suite of diamond jewellery, in an eye-catching bi-colour knotted design also sold well. Set in 18ct white and yellow gold, and comprising a necklace, bracelet, ring and pair of earrings, this suite of wonderfully wearable jewellery fetched an impressive £2,150. 

A suite of diamond jewellery, of bi-colour design with brilliant cut diamond highlights and knotted spacers, comprising a necklace, bracelet, pair of earrings and ring, stamped 750, estimated total diamond weight 1.80cts, length of necklace 42cm, length of bracelet 18cm, length of earrings 2.4cm, ring size L1/2, gross weight 99.3g.

A suite of diamond jewellery, of bi-colour design with brilliant cut diamond highlights and knotted spacers, comprising a necklace, bracelet, pair of earrings and ring, stamped 750, estimated total diamond weight 1.80cts, length of necklace 42cm, length of bracelet 18cm, length of earrings 2.4cm, ring size L1/2, gross weight 99.3g. Sold for £2,150.

 

Designer Jewellery

 

If there is one thing that really grabs our bidders' attention at viewing events, it is our designer jewellery offering. A wonderful way to add a modern flair to any jewellery collection and complement any ensemble, our designer pieces were in fantastic condition and offered with estimates at a fraction of the recommended retail price. Our front cover lot was a breathtaking diamond 'Lunar' ring by David M. Robinson. One of the brands most iconic collections, the Lunar jewellery features beautiful brilliant cut diamond collets separated by 'flowing strands' of 18ct gold. This immaculate lot saw fierce competition between our bidders, and eventually sold to a telephone bidder for £2,100.

An 18ct gold diamond 'Lunar' diamond ring by David M Robinson, designed as a series of vari size brilliant cut diamond collets with brilliant cut diamond and polished band spacers, hallmarks for London, maker's marks for David M Robinson, estimated total diamond weight 1.50cts, ring size M, gross weight 11.1g. Sold for £2,100.

An 18ct gold diamond 'Lunar' diamond ring by David M Robinson, designed as a series of vari size brilliant cut diamond collets with brilliant cut diamond and polished band spacers, hallmarks for London, maker's marks for David M Robinson, estimated total diamond weight 1.50cts, ring size M, gross weight 11.1g. Sold for £2,100.

 

Likewise, a classic 18ct gold chain necklace from renowned German design house Wellendorff sold brilliantly. Consigned from a local lady, this wonderful necklace was so typical of the firms iconic 'silk gold' designs. In immaculate condition, the lot came complete with the designer's pouch, booklet and box. To read more about Wellendorff jewellery at auction, click here. 

An 18ct gold diamond necklace by Wellendorff, the fancy link chain suspending a brilliant cut diamond polished 'W', maker's marks for Wellendorff, hallmarks for Birmingham, 1993, length 44cm, gross weight 37.2g. With maker's pouch and booklet.

An 18ct gold diamond necklace by Wellendorff, the fancy link chain suspending a brilliant cut diamond polished 'W', maker's marks for Wellendorff, hallmarks for Birmingham, 1993, length 44cm, gross weight 37.2g. With maker's pouch and booklet. Sold for £1,100.

 

A brooch by iconic mid century Hatton Garden designer Ben Rosenfeld captured the attention of our bidders and reached £1,100 under the hammer. A 1960s 18ct diamond spray brooch by Ben Rosenfeld, designed as a textured foliate spray with single and brilliant cut diamond accents, maker's marks for Ben Rosenfeld, BRLd, hallmarks for London, 1968, estimated total diamond weight 2.30cts, length 6.4cm, gross weight 30.9g.

A 1960s 18ct diamond spray brooch by Ben Rosenfeld, designed as a textured foliate spray with single and brilliant cut diamond accents, maker's marks for Ben Rosenfeld, BRLd, hallmarks for London, 1968, estimated total diamond weight 2.30cts, length 6.4cm, gross weight 30.9g. Sold for £1,100.

 

Gold Jewellery

 

The demand for gold pieces remained high on saleday, with some excellent prices achieved for hallmarked gold pieces including an Italian charm bracelet brimming with character, a classic 9ct gold cigarette case dating to the 1920s, a 1970s cuff bracelet with detachable brooch fitting and countless other Albert chains, fringe necklaces, bangles and bracelets.

A charm bracelet, designed as a trace link chain suspending twenty-six charms to include a mother of pearl tambourine, an enamel seahorse and a gondola, bracelet stamped 750, length 20.5cm, gross weight 94.6g.

A charm bracelet, designed as a trace link chain suspending twenty-six charms to include a mother of pearl tambourine, an enamel seahorse and a gondola. Sold for £2,400.

A 1920s 9ct gold cigarette case, of rectangular outline, with engine-turned decoration and push piece clasp, hallmarks for William Neale & Son Ltd., Birmingham, 1926, gross weight 152.1g.

A 1920s 9ct gold cigarette case, of rectangular outline, with engine-turned decoration and push piece clasp, hallmarks for William Neale & Son Ltd., Birmingham, 1926. Sold for £1,750.

An 18ct gold ruby bracelet, the tapered and grooved fancy link bracelet, with detachable circular shape ruby foliate cluster, cluster may also be worn as a brooch, stamped FCT 750, length 20cm, gross weight 77.3g.

An 18ct gold ruby bracelet, the tapered and grooved fancy link bracelet, with detachable circular shape ruby foliate cluster, cluster may also be worn as a brooch. Sold for £1,600.

 

Gemstones

 

The sale featured a beautiful array of gemstones, making for a bright and colourful catalogue! Demand for fine coloured stones was strong, with some truly remarkable pieces going under the hammer to gem and jewellery enthusiasts! Our Head of Department's favourite lot of the day was an impressive multi gem necklace, set with hundreds of unique circular and oval cut coloured gemstones. A veritable gemmologists dream, this rope necklace was perfect for cheering up any outfit, and could be worn wrapped once, twice, or three times around the neck making it a highly versatile piece! This fabulous piece sold to one very lucky bidder for £1,600!

A multi gem rivière necklace, designed as an oval and circular shape vari gem line, including ruby, peridot, spinel, garnets, amethyst, iolite, citrine, sapphire, topaz and other gemstones, with a polished push-piece clasp, stamped 750, length 116cm, gross weight 92.4g.

A multi gem rivière necklace, designed as an oval and circular shape vari gem line, including ruby, peridot, spinel, garnets, amethyst, iolite, citrine, sapphire, topaz and other gemstones, with a polished push-piece clasp, stamped 750, length 116cm. Sold for £1,600.

 

Another lot to sell well was a pair of beautiful sapphire and diamond drop earrings. One of the 'big three' gemstones, these beautifully matched sapphires were surrounded in a modern openwork diamond surround, and fetched £1,200 on sale day.

A pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, each designed as an oval shape sapphire within a brilliant cut diamond openwork surround, suspended from a similarly cut diamond surmount, stamped 750, estimated total diamond weight 1.35cts, length 2.3cm, gross weight 5.6g.

A pair of sapphire and diamond earrings, each designed as an oval shape sapphire within a brilliant cut diamond openwork surround, suspended from a similarly cut diamond surmount, stamped 750, estimated total diamond weight 1.35cts, length 2.3cm. Sold for £1,200.

 

Other gemstones to soar in the auction included a selection of necklaces showcasing some fantastic biogenic and organic gem materials. A fantastic single-owner collection of butterscotch amber beads sold fantastically well! The top lot was a striking amber and jet beaded necklace that reached £1,200, but the collection in total achieved over £4,000.

A butterscotch amber and jet necklace, designed as a series of graduated faceted jet and oval butterscotch amber beads, length 61.5cm, gross weight 134g.

A butterscotch amber and jet necklace, designed as a series of graduated faceted jet and oval butterscotch amber beads, length 61.5cm. Sold for £1,200.

 

A breathtaking multi-strand natural pearl necklace was collected by a local vendor on their extensive travels to the Persian Gulf Coast in the 1960s and attracted international attention as well as plenty of local interest. On saleday there was competition both in the room, online and across three phone bidders. In a beautiful regal design accented with gold openwork and ruby plaques, the piece sold for £1,100.

A natural pearl and ruby necklace, designed as a series of openwork circular shape synthetic ruby and split pearl panels, with graduated multi strand natural saltwater pearl swags, length 42.5cm. Accompanied by a certificate from GCS stating that the pearls are natural and saltwater.

A natural pearl and ruby necklace, designed as a series of openwork circular shape synthetic ruby and split pearl panels, with graduated multi strand natural saltwater pearl swags, length 42.5cm. Accompanied by a certificate from GCS stating that the pearls are natural and saltwater. Sold for £1,100.

 

Watches

 

Our Watches section saw a fantastic rise in online enquiries, with collectors from overseas requesting further information on the pieces before bidding online and via telephone. The most unusual and rare of our military watches this sale was a Lemania stainless steel chronograph wristwatch. With a highly unusual and sought after single button mechanism and subsequent 'asymmetric' case, this lot sold far exceeded its top estimate and sold to one lucky collector for £1,900.

 A rare 1960s Lemania stainless steel military single button chronograph wristwatch, the signed circular black dial with military arrow, white Arabic hour markers, luminescent tritium 12, 6 and dot hour markers, double register recording minutes & continuous seconds, within an asymmetric Acier steel case, 2220 calibre 35-67, 17 jewel movement signed and numbered Lemania Watch Co 1975035, case back numbered AF 9615, with later black leather strap, case diameter 40mm.

A rare 1960s Lemania stainless steel military single button chronograph wristwatch, the signed circular black dial with military arrow, white Arabic hour markers, luminescent tritium 12, 6 and dot hour markers, double register recording minutes & continuous seconds, within an asymmetric Acier steel case, 2220 calibre 35-67, 17 jewel movement signed and numbered Lemania Watch Co 1975035, case back numbered AF 9615, with later black leather strap, case diameter 40mm. Sold for £1,900.

 

Desire for timepieces from the mid 20th Century seemed to dominate the watch section, with a striking mid century gold plated Rolex Oyster Speedking wristwatch fetching £720.

A mid 20th century Rolex Oyster Speedking wristwatch, the circular signed black dial with Arabic quarter markers, baton hour markers and outer minutes track, cal 1210, ref. N62960, movement signed Mentres Rolex SA, Geneva Swiss 17 jewels, within a rolled gold and steel case, case back signed Mentres Rolex SA, Geneva, Switzerland, Patented, serial number 170100, case diameter 30mm.

A mid 20th century Rolex Oyster Speedking wristwatch, the circular signed black dial with Arabic quarter markers, baton hour markers and outer minutes track, cal 1210, ref. N62960, movement signed Mentres Rolex SA, Geneva Swiss 17 jewels, within a rolled gold and steel case, case back signed Mentres Rolex SA, Geneva, Switzerland, Patented, serial number 170100, case diameter 30mm. Sold for £720.

 

Meanwhile, a market-fresh single owner collection of pocketwatches attracted a wealth of attention from our bidders, with pieces from rare watchmakers achieving fantastic prices under the hammer. Our back cover lot was a beautiful 18ct gold cased open face pocket watch by Liverpool watchmakers Litherland Davies & Co. With a captivating repoussé case back depicting Cupid in a foliate surround, this pocketwatch captivated the attention of many collectors at our viewing events and eventually settled at £1,250.

A Victorian 18ct gold open face pocket watch by Litherland Davies & Co., the circular gold tone dial with foliate detailing and Roman numeral hour markers, key wound movement with foliate watch cock, rose cut diamond endstone, signed and numbered Litherland Davies & Co., Liverpool, No.9127, within a case bearing hallmarks for THJH, Chester, 1884, featuring repoussé decoration of cupid to the back and foliate detailing to the surround and bow, case diameter 48mm, gross weight 110.6g.A Victorian 18ct gold open face pocket watch by Litherland Davies & Co., the circular gold tone dial with foliate detailing and Roman numeral hour markers, key wound movement with foliate watch cock, rose cut diamond endstone, signed and numbered Litherland Davies & Co., Liverpool, No.9127, within a case bearing hallmarks for THJH, Chester, 1884, featuring repoussé decoration of cupid to the back and foliate detailing to the surround and bow, case diameter 48mm, gross weight 110.6g.

A Victorian 18ct gold open face pocket watch by Litherland Davies & Co., the circular gold tone dial with foliate detailing and Roman numeral hour markers, key wound movement with foliate watch cock, rose cut diamond endstone, signed and numbered Litherland Davies & Co., Liverpool, No.9127, within a case bearing hallmarks for THJH, Chester, 1884, featuring repoussé decoration of cupid to the back and foliate detailing to the surround and bow, case diameter 48mm. Sold for £1,250.

 

Further hammer highlights included full hunter as well as open face 18ct gold pocketwatches, far exceeding their prospective estimates and selling to keen collectors for hammer prices in excess of £1,000.

A Victorian 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch by John Hawley & Son Ltd., the 18ct gold case with foliate surround and bow, opening to reveal a circular white enamel dial signed 'Centre Seconds Chronograph,' Roman numeral hour markers and Arabic outer minutes track, keyless movement signed and numbered John Hawley & Son Ltd., 77381, case with hallmarks for John Helsby, Chester, 1897, case diameter 57mm, gross weight 170.4g.

A Victorian 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch by John Hawley & Son Ltd., the 18ct gold case with foliate surround and bow, opening to reveal a circular white enamel dial signed 'Centre Seconds Chronograph,' Roman numeral hour markers and Arabic outer minutes track, keyless movement signed and numbered John Hawley & Son Ltd., 77381, case with hallmarks for John Helsby, Chester, 1897, case diameter 57mm. Sold for £1,700.

A late Victorian 18ct gold Thos Russell & Sons full hunter pocket watch, the circular signed dial with Roman numeral hour markers and outer minutes track, keyless movement signed and numbered Thos. Russell & Son, Liverpool, 88140, within an 18ct gold case bearing hallmarks for Chester, 1894, case diameter 53mm, gross weight 138.6g.

A late Victorian 18ct gold Thos Russell & Sons full hunter pocket watch, the circular signed dial with Roman numeral hour markers and outer minutes track, keyless movement signed and numbered Thos. Russell & Son, Liverpool, 88140, within an 18ct gold case bearing hallmarks for Chester, 1894, case diameter 53mm. Sold for £1,400.

A Victorian 18ct gold open face pocket watch, the white enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers, subsidiary seconds dial and outer minutes track, within an 18ct gold case with monogram to back, keyless movement signed and numbered Thompson & Vine, 122 Aldersgate Street, London, 26623, hallmarks for London, 1866, case diameter 48mm, suspended from an early 20th century 9ct gold Albert chain, gross weight 143.2g.

A Victorian 18ct gold open face pocket watch, the white enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers, subsidiary seconds dial and outer minutes track, within an 18ct gold case with monogram to back, keyless movement signed and numbered Thompson & Vine, 122 Aldersgate Street, London, 26623, hallmarks for London, 1866, case diameter 48mm, suspended from an early 20th century 9ct gold Albert chain. Sold for £1,300.

 

To view our complete list of results for this sale, click here.

 

We are currently inviting entries for our next Fine Jewellery & Watches Auction, with some fantastic collections already consigned. To add your lots to this exciting sale, or to obtain a free auction valuation, contact Liz Bailey via auctions@peterwilson.co.uk, or fill in our quick and easy valuation request 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