On 17 November, UK auction house Sworders is hosting its dazzling sale of ‘Fine Jewellery and Watches’. Over 500 lots – 495 jewels and 41 watches – are included in the auction, which will be held live online.
While there are many pieces to pique one’s curiosity, there’s much excitement and buzz around one item in particular: an 18ct gold Corum mechanical Buckingham strap watch from c. 1960, which once belonged to Elvis Presley.
This watch was gifted by the King of Rock and Roll to Richard Davis, who began working for Elvis Presley in the early 1960s. Davis was already friends with Elvis and undertook the role of personal valet and purchased much of his wardrobe.
As stated in an affidavit from Davis, “One day Elvis took the watch off his wrist and said there was something wrong with the back of it. I turned it over and Elvis had inscribed it to me – he said ‘well I guess it’s yours now’.” The watch back is engraved in block lettering ‘To Richard from E.P.’.
The watch came from Elvis’ personal collection, as opposed to being a gift from a film company, and was one he wore on numerous occasions. Photographs of him wearing the watch are included as part of the lot, along with a written statement from Charlie Hodge (Elvis’ stage director), dated 26 June 1997, confirming the Corum watch was given to Richard Davis as a gift from Elvis Presley and that it was one of Elvis’s favourite watches. The winning bidder will also receive a cased, hardback copy of A Man and his Watch by Matt Hravek, which features the Corum watch on pages 60 and 61.
Other highlights from Sworders’ sale include this gentleman's 18ct rose gold Cartier ‘Santos’ Automatic Chronograph 100 strap watch. The cushion-shaped case is 39mm in diameter, with a pavé set diamond bezel, case and dial. The skeleton’s hands are rose gold, and it features three subsidiary dials, date and centre second sweep. The brown alligator Cartier strap has an 18ct rose gold deployant buckle. While the lot does not include a case or box, the statement watch does feature service papers from Cartier, dated October 2019, plus a Cartier pouch.
In terms of jewellery, this incredible 18ct gold Paraiba tourmaline and diamond pendant is an absolute showstopper. Discovered in 1989, Paraiba tourmalines are amongst the world's most prized gemstones, named after the location where they were first found (Paraíba, a state of northwest Brazil). They have since been located in Nigeria and Mozambique. These rare gems are renowned for their colours, including Caribbean blue, peacock copper-green and neon.
The weight of this particular Paraiba is itself 70.51ct, which has been modified into a cushion-cut shape within a tourmaline and diamond pendant. The tourmaline claw is set to the centre and surrounded by two stepped rows of graduated brilliant-cut diamonds, all claw set to a diamond set gallery and with two rows of brilliant-cut diamonds. The lot comes accompanied by a report from Gübelin, no.13100290, dated 29 October 2013, which states natural tourmaline Paraiba, indications of heating.
One more desirable jewel is this platinum single-stone diamond ring by Tiffany & Co. The ring features a cushion-cut diamond with a stated weight of 1.56ct, four claw set to a 'V' shaped collet. Its flat section shoulders are grain set with a row of brilliant-cut diamonds to a plain shank. The lot is accompanied by a Tiffany & Co. diamond certificate no. 2220347/H04260128 with stated grades of: Colour H, Clarity VVSI, Finger size I¾.
As a reminder, Sworders’ sparkling sale will be going under the hammer on 17 November. Viewing in person is available by appointment, or the entire catalogue is available for immediate viewing digitally.