Three fall auctions – all excellent opportunities to buy fine jewellery and watches

By: Donald McLean

Diamond

Our Fall 2014 Jewellery Auctions

The Jewellery department is closing 2014 with a series of three auctions. First up will be another of our popular online auctions of Silver And Costume Jewellery, October 27 – 30. As always, the auction is composed of an eclectic mix of antique to modern pieces by well-known designers, international artisans and lesser-known craftsmen. Among the names represented in this auction are Tiffany, Jensen, Cartier, Sherman, Levin, Vidal, Hardy, Wanamaker, Haskell, Dior, Sigi, Morris, Chanel, Coro, Forstner and Birks.

Our online auction will be followed closely by our Quarterly Jewellery & Numismatic Auction, on November 5. This will be a large auction combining the coins, bank notes and stamps of several numismatic collections with silver and gold jewellery and watches from numerous estates and consignors.

Our final auction of this year is the December 2 Fine Jewellery Auction. As well as a fine selection of jewellery, the auction will include a number of desirable wrist and pocket watches, and features examples from different eras in the history of Rolex. A circa 1915 Rolex “Trench” watch, so called due to its design for use in the trenches of World War I, represents the earliest years of the firm. Its flip-up silver cover over the dial is called a shrapnel guard, designed to protect the watch from flying debris. Inside the case is the hallmark of the firm Wilsdorf & Davis, the original name for the Rolex company, and the case back is engraved for a Lieutenant of the 66th battery of the Canadian Field Artillery and the Canadian Expeditionary Forces.

From the 1920’s, we have a rare Rolex pocket watch. Pocket watch sales world-wide were already waning with the post World War I use of wristwatches so Rolex never produced very many, instead focusing on their development of the wristwatch features they became famous for, such as the waterproof “Oyster” case and perpetual movements. From the 1950’s we have a two fine Rolex examples. The first is a gold-cased “Bubbleback” Oyster, a nick-name derived from the bulbous back of the watch which houses the rotor of the automatic wind movement, and the second is an early steel cased Oyster Perpetual in perfect original condition. Finally, there is a beautiful 1960’s example of a Rolex Tudor Oyster Perpetual Submariner. In 1946, Rolex opened a second line of watches, naming them “Tudor” in recognition of Rolex’s English origin, and this Submariner represents one of the most collectible watches sold under the Tudor name.

The consignment deadlines for these exciting auctions are only weeks away, so please don’t hesitate to contact our department if you are considering the sale of any jewellery, watches or numismatics.


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