HIGHEST TOTAL EVER FOR A JEWELLERY AUCTION
CHRISTIE’S GENEVA MAGNIFICENT JEWELS ACHIEVES SFr.147,256,875 / US$150,216,738
▲Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie’s Jewellery, selling a stunning pair of ear pendants at Christie’s Geneva
THE BLUE BELLE OF ASIA
A 392.52 carat Ceylon sapphire
ESTABLISHES NEW WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR ANY SAPPHIRE
Price Realised: SFr.16,965,000/ US$17,295,796 /€13,923,175
A Pair of Fancy Vivid Blue and Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond Ear Pendants
ACQUIRED BY LAURENCE GRAFF
Price Realised: SFr.15,509,000/ US$15,820,731 /€12,728,236
- 31 Jewels sold above SFr.1M - 6 Jewels above SFr. 5M - 2 Jewels above SFr. 10M
- 54% of the Jewels were sold above their pre-sale estimate
HIGHEST SEASON SINCE THE FIRST CHRISTIE’S AUCTION IN 1969
IN SWITZERLAND
Including Patek Philippe 175, Important Watches, and Magnificent Jewels
Totalling SFr.181,327,938/ US$185,011,232 /€148,815,838
GENEVA – On 11th November, Christie’s Geneva sale of Magnificent Jewels achieved SFr.147,256,875/ US$150,216,738 /
€120,853,717, selling 89% by lot and 94% by value, realising the highest total for any Magnificent Jewels sale in the world. This extraordinary result, combined with the Patek Philippe 175 and the Important Watches sale, concludes Christie’s 2014 autumn sale
week with a grand total of SFr.181,327,938/US$185,011,232/€148,815,838, the highest total since the first Christie’s auction in Geneva in 1969. The Blue Belle of Asia realised SFR.16,9M/US$17,2, establishing a new record price for any sapphire sold at auction.
Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie’s Jewellery Department: “Christie’s Geneva welcomed over 600 registrants to the sale from over 30 countries. We are extremely proud that the Blue Belle of Asia established a new world record for any sapphire sold at auction for SFr.16,965,000/US$17,295,796. The private collector, seated in the room, is now the new owner of the most valuable sapphire in the world. The JAR “Parrot Tulip” bangle bracelet realised SFr.3,525,000/US$3,595,853 against a pre-sale estimate of SFr.190,000-290,000, and established the second highest price for a creation by JAR. Jewels from major collections also realised exceptional prices such as the Art Deco natural pearl and diamond necklace from the private collection of the Baroness Edouard de Rothschild which sold for SFr.5,093,000/US$5,195,369.”
GENEVA MAGNIFICENT JEWELS HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
THE BLUE BELLE OF ASIA
This magnificent sapphire of 392.52 carats bought for SFr.16,965,000/US$17,295,796 set a new world record price for any sapphire sold at auction.
THE CARTIER TIGERS
After a bidding battle between collectors seated in the room and on the telephone, the
legendary Cartier tigers, formerly in the collection of the Duchess of Windsor, have been acquired for SFr.3,077,000/US$3,138,848. The consignor Sarah Brightman intends to offer a portion of the proceeds from the sale to The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation.
EMPRESS EUGENIE’S « FEUILLES DE GROSEILLIER » BROOCH
The spectacular and historic antique brooch once part of the French Crown Jewels sold for SFr.2,285,000/US$2,330,929. This piece, created by Bapst Jewellers in 1855, was previously owned by the Metropolitan Opera of New York.
“Over the past three days, Geneva was once again in the spotlight, starting with the commemorative Patek Philippe 175 sale and concluding with a
$150 million jewellery sale in which nearly all lots found a buyer. Collectors from China, America, the Middle East and all over Europe remained either in the saleroom, or on the telephone until 11.00 pm to acquire important and historical jewels as well as extremely rare precious stones that are rarely seen on the market” said François Curiel, International Head of Luxury.
TOP LOTS OF THE PATEK PHILIPPE 175 SALE
PATEK PHILIPPE, REFERENCE 2499
First Series. An 18K pink gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moon phases, manufactured in 1951.
Price Realised: SFr. 2,629,000
PATEK PHILIPPE, REFERENCE 2523
An 18K gold two crown world time wristwatch with 24 hours indication and blue enamel dial, manufactured in 1953.
Price Realised: SFr. 2,225,000
PATEK PHILIPPE, REFERENCE 2497
An 18K white gold perpetual calendar
wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, phases of
the moon and bracelet, manufactured in 1953.
Price Realised: SFr..2,045,000
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE REFERENCE
John Reardon, International Head of Christie’s Watch department, proudly commented: “The Patek Philippe 175 sale has exceeded our expectations in every way. With 69% of all lots selling above estimate, this sale sets a new benchmark for thematic sales and shows the amazing strength of the Patek Philippe market. Sabine Kegel, Head of Important Watch sale commented: “Throughout the day of the Important Watches sale, over 600 watch connoisseurs registered to become the new owners of one of these exceptional watches. The team was especially proud of the result achieved for the Breguet No. 1135, which sold for SFr.605,000, three times its presale estimate to The Breguet Museum. The result depicts the depth and the strength of the watch market, demonstrating great consistency at all levels in terms of watches, prices and clients.”
TOP LOTS OF THE IMPORTANT WATCH SALE
Breguet No 1135. "Petite montre à répétition quarts, échappement libre à levées naturelles"
Sold on 13 January 1806 to Monsieur Le Duc de
L'Infantado for the sum of 4,200 francs.
Price Realised : SFr. 605,000
ACQUIRED BY THE BREGUET MUSEUM
Patek Philippe Reference 5016/1. An 18K white gold wristwatch with perpetual calendar, tourbillon, retrograde date, moon phases, original guarantee
and box, manufactured in 2010
Price Realised : SFr. 713,000
Rolex Reference 6263.
A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black non-oyster sotto Paul Newman dial, circa 1970
Price Realised : SFr.461,000
PRESS CONTACTS:
Alexandra Kindermann | +41 44 20 68 10 19 | akindermann@christies.com
Beverly Bueninck | +33 1 40 76 84 08 | bbueninck@christies.com
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, finan cing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits.
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Images available on request