Latest World Art News about Watches and everything that makes them tick
Bonhams’ recent watch sale in London achieved over £1.6 million, featuring masterpieces from Patek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier, and F.P. Journe. The standout was F.P. Journe’s platinum Chronomètre à Résonance, selling for £140,100, while the Cartier Crash broke records at £114,700. The auction’s diverse collection drew global collectors, emphasizing the strong demand for both vintage rarities and innovative designs, setting a new benchmark for luxury watch collecting.
In a remarkable moment for charity, the IWC Schaffhausen watch worn by British Formula One™ legend Lewis Hamilton on the podium of his record-breaking ninth victory at the 2024 Silverstone Grand Prix was sold at auction for $244,000. Bonhams hosted the online auction in collaboration with IWC Schaffhausen, and the watch was the star of the event, fetching seven times its original estimate. The auction concluded in tandem with The Laureus Charity Night in Zurich on October 19, 2024.
In a dazzling display of horological excellence, Bonhams Hong Kong Watches auction witnessed a spectacular moment on May 28 as a rare Richard Mille Rafael Nadal RM27-01 carbon skeletonized tourbillon wristwatch set a new record. Fetching an astonishing $1,170,000 US ($9,148,000 HK), this exclusive timepiece has become the highest value wristwatch ever sold at Bonhams.
The auction was a resounding success, generating a total of £713,344. An impressive 91% of the lots were sold, with 97% sold by value, reflecting the strong demand and competitive bidding. The star of the auction was a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, stainless-steel automatic chronograph bracelet watch, reference 116500LN, circa 2019. Known as the LN reference ‘lunette noir’ due to its black Cerachrom bezel and white dial, this sought-after piece surpassed its pre-sale estimate, fetching £20,480.
In a surprising turn of events at Bonhams’ Important Instruments of Science and Technology Sale in London on April 24th, a remarkably rare 15th-century astrolabe soared past its pre-sale estimate, fetching an impressive £508,400 ($635,000). Jon Baddeley, a specialist at Bonhams, expressed his astonishment at the outcome, stating, “This is one of the strongest results we’ve seen at auction at Bonhams Knightsbridge in the past decade.” Describing the astrolabe as an “early smartphone of sorts,” Baddeley emphasized its multifaceted utility, noting its significance in timekeeping, navigation, celestial observation, and even decision-making.
Antiqon PRO is announcing the launch of an online platform that introduces a completely new format for promoting and selling art objects on the Internet. This innovative service will enable representatives of the art market to seamlessly transition their business online and reach an audience of over 12 million people.
In a dazzling spectacle of high-stakes bidding, the illustrious collection of the late Dutch connoisseur-collector Cornelis Paulus van Pauwvliet took center stage at Bonhams New Bond Street on Tuesday, November 21. The auction, a crescendo of anticipation, saw a remarkable total of £2.86 million change hands as passionate art enthusiasts vied for a piece of cultural history.
Pearls, once considered outdated and too traditional, have made a remarkable resurgence in the world of jewelry in recent years. Symbolizing wealth, prestige, and femininity, pearl jewels have transcended ages, fashions, and styles with unparalleled elegance. Constantly elevated by daring jewelers, pearls hold a special place in the history of jewelry. “The Pearl Odyssey” retraces the captivating story of pearls and their enduring tradition. Through a carefully curated selection of thirty outstanding pieces from esteemed private and heritage collections, alongside previously unseen projects and archival materials, visitors can explore the creativity and expertise developed around the world’s oldest jewel and delve into the science of pearls.
PIGUET HISTORICAL AUCTION – Total Estimate: 3-4 Million CHF
The World Swiss Foundation – over 500 lots.
The Minkoff Collection – over 300 lots.
Rare oil painting by Ferdinand Hodler.
Bronze by Rembrandt Bugatti from Alain Delon’s collection.
Many exceptional historical treasures are listed at auction for the First Time!
20 – 21 September, 2022 | Geneva, Switzerland
GENEVA, 23 AUGUST 2022 – It’s official! By popular demand from its exhibitors, GemGenève is holding a second, exceptional edition again this year in Geneva. “We had initially planned to hold only one edition, in May 2022. Following calls from our exhibitors, we´ve decided to organize a second edition in autumn 2022 in Geneva, but this shouldn’t become standard practice in the future”, emphasizes Ronny Totah.
The 5th meeting of gemology and jewellery professionals and enthusiasts will therefore open its doors from Thursday, 3rd November to Sunday, 6th November in Palexpo, this time in Hall 6. It will coincide once again with the major autumnal auction sales of the Geneva Luxury Week.
