On 19 and 20 July, Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-Carlo (HVMC) is offering no less than four auctions focused on the favourite collector categories, namely jewellery, watches and luxury leather goods.
With a large selection of nearly 440 lots, buyers will be able to find, during the two jewellery sales (19 July, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.), branded, designer and period pieces, precious stones and charming jewellery.
The first session will open with a collection of period jewellery that combines cameos, art deco models, old brooches and 20th-century creations.
Within the catalogue, the ring reigns supreme: solitaires, bombé, fantasy, domes, in gold or platinum, the models are as remarkable as they are varied. The star lot of the session, with a high estimate of €3 million, is a ring adorned with an exceptional cushion-cut Kashmir sapphire weighing 27.94 carats. The stone rests in a double entourage of round diamonds, while the setting is made of platinum and yellow gold.
Other models adorned with precious stones will join the selection, such as a ring adorned with a rare cushion-cut Burmese ruby weighing 12.75 carats, a centred model of a superb rectangular-cut emerald of 11.90 carats, or a Cartier piece flanked by a large oval yellow sapphire weighing 19.45 carats.
The second session dedicated to jewellery will begin with an interesting body of ‘artist’ jewellery. Certain figures of modern and contemporary art, who have devoted themselves at some point in their career to this very particular art of jewellery, will be represented with pieces that couldn’t be more original. Collectors will be able to acquire miniature works by Jean Cocteau, Arman, Line Vautrin, Niki de Saint Phalle and even Jean-Michel Folon.
Designer jewellery won’t be outdone as, over the course of the two sessions, we will find models by Philippe Tournaire, Margherita Burgener, Jean Després, and no less than seven creations by Lydia Courteille, a jeweller and gemologist whose creations have adorned the biggest stars. Its brand, located rue Saint Honoré, is presented as a cabinet of curiosities and attracts the most discerning collectors.
We note the presence of a pair of white gold earrings ending in exceptional pear diamonds weighing respectively 7.12 and 7.11 carats. The mobile line of the two jewels, meanwhile, is punctuated by a pear diamond and a round diamond of a more modest size.
The catalogue will also include an exceptional table clock by Vacheron & Constantin for Verger Frères. Created around 1931, this Vacheron model would be the first execution if we look at the chronology of the serial number, and is the only model whose cage was made by Verger Frères. It is a creation which combines mechanics and aesthetics and which is completely representative of a period when watchmaking was at its peak.
On the evening of 19 July, watchmaking will take over from jewellery with a catalogue of 550 exceptional lots. The Jaeger-Lecoultre, Piaget, Bulgari, Rolex and Chopard brands will be present, but two models from Patek Philippe will receive particular attention. The first, a white gold men's watch from 2005, has a black dial decorated with horizontal frames and a cal 315.SC movement.
The second, slightly more recent, is a rose gold chronograph with an annual calendar and power reserve dated 2010. Stamped with the Geneva hallmark, the model has a round case, a nickel dial and a triple aperture. window for the days of the week, the date and the months.
Noteworthy is an atypical Mercedes-Benz model made in the 1970s, which features the brand's grille-shaped grid dial. The watch even features the company's miniature logo above the yellow gold case. It is a collectable wonder for watch and automobile enthusiasts.
The two days of auction will end on 20 July with a beautiful catalogue of 170 luxury leather goods. The most prestigious fashion and haute couture brands will be in the spotlight with a variety of accessories including, among others, belts, bags, suitcases and even some pieces of jewellery.
The Hermès selection will be the highlight of the sale, with an exceptional set of Birkin bags, including a 30 cm Birkin in leather and black niloticus crocodile, estimated between €15,000 and €25,000. Navy blue, gold and pumpkin copies are also for sale.
A beautiful set of Louis Vuitton luggage will be offered: enthusiasts will be able to acquire trunks, bottle boxes, bags and suitcases, all monogrammed with the famous logo.
Let's finish with a Louis Vuitton model produced in a limited edition and designed by Jean-Michel Othoniel: a superb Capucines bag in braided raffia topped with a quatrefoil flower and fitted with a handle of black resin beads. The copy, from an edition of 200, bears the number 73.
These four luxury auctions will take place from 19-20 July 19 at HVMC. For all information relating to auction conditions, we invite you to consult the auction house's website.