Top picks from Luxury Week selected by our specialists

Max Brownawell, Head of Department, Specialist, Handbags & Accessories

Hermès Tartan Kelly

‘This Hermès Tartan Kelly is the third time that Hermès has done a printed swift leather, so it’s very rare, and every time it’s a highly anticipated design. The tartan incorporates many of collectors’ favorite colours, including creamy off-whites along with pinks and greens. It’s very summery, happy and girly. This is a bag for someone special in your life, a great piece that will transition beautifully from winter to spring.’

Chris Munro, Head of Department, Wine

Château Palmer 1961

‘Château Palmer acquired its name from Major General Charles Palmer, who purchased the property in 1814 from Madame Bumet de Ferrière. Making wine from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes with a small amount of Petit Verdot, usually in equal measure, their wines have acquired a status above the 1855 classification of Bordeaux that awarded the property the rank of 3ème Cru Classé. This case of 1961 from The Historic Cellar of Jürgen Schwarz is one of the world’s greatest ever wines, often given the mythical 100 points from the critics, it remains youthful, sumptuous and a delight to drink. One of the classics.’

Rebecca Ross, Head of Sale, Watches

‘The Scout’ Patek Philippe pocket watch

‘This pocket watch is truly unique. It was consigned to Christie’s from the son of the original owner, who purchased it at a rare Patek Philippe exhibition in 1995 in Texas. Adding to its provenance, the lot is accompanied by its exhibition framed poster illustrating “The Scout” painting by the famed American artist Charles Russell, c. 1907, and detailing the process of this exquisite miniature representation by one of Patek Philippe’s most celebrated enamellers, G. Menni. The enameller carefully followed Charles Russell’s painting, beginning by laying down several bases of pure white enamel to prepare the palette of enamel colors from ground dust; an incredibly arduous process that took over two years to complete, resulting in one of the most spectacular pocket watches of Patek Philippe’s 1990s era.’

Janet Tham, Specialist, Watches

Audemars Piguet Tourbillon

‘I’m very drawn to the relationship between the objects we sell and the socio-historic time in which they were made. In 1986, Audemars Piguet capitalized on the world’s renewed fascination with Egyptomania, while simultaneously going against the watch industry’s status quo. While other brands were fully immersed in monetizing quartz watches, Audemars Piguet took the time to develop the world’s first self-wound tourbillon wristwatch. The atelier also made a rare and rather daring aesthetic design choice. You see, the world was enthralled by a recent global touring exhibition titled The Treasures of Tutankhamun, which ran from 1972 to 1981. The watch dial, with a round open aperture and bursting sunray design, was inspired by an Egyptian relief carving of the Pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti with a near identical motif. Neo-vintage timepieces such as this are more in demand than ever. They offer collectors a wide range of designs that represent a daring, eclectic, and robust time in the history of contemporary watchmaking.’

Claibourne Poindexter, Senior Specialist, Jewellery

Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond à Cheval 11-Row Bracelet

‘This bracelet once resided in the collection of Brooke Astor, the well-known New York philanthropist from one of New York society’s most famous and influential families. Mrs. Astor’s bracelet represents a great design by Van Cleef & Arpels that has been a classic for the last 70 years. The brand still produces pieces from the collection, but the 11 Row is the largest and most magnificent of them all, with very few examples. This one is from the 1970s, making it even more special.’

A sensational Bulgari emerald, cultured pearl and diamond necklace

‘This fabulous emerald, cultured pearl and diamond necklace by Bulgari is from the renowned collection of American businesswoman and philanthropist Elaine Wynn. It’s a wonderful combination of quality stones set with Colombian emeralds and pear-shaped diamonds. The central emerald is just over 23 carats. It’s quite magnificent in its proportions and the way that it sits on the neck. These designs by Bulgari from the 1980s and 1990s are having a huge revival at auction. We don't get to see a lot of large bib necklaces like this by Bulgari come up for auction, so we're very excited.’