« Without any doubt, our strategy of coming to the Principality to present such beautiful items, has captured the imagination of both buyers and sellers. Year after year, this summer sale has confirmed our position as market leaders in France in the area of exceptional jewellery and collectors watches, in both France and Monaco.» said François Tajan, co-chairman of Artcurial.

JEWELLERYSALES 21AND22JULY2015To celebrate 10 years of sales in the Principality, Artcurial’s jewellery department has assembled a selection of nearly 550 lots. Once again, the leading names in jewellery, both historic and contemporary, will be represented with pieces of great artistic and technical virtuosity. Some of the most famous international and Parisian maison will be on offer, from Boucheron to Bulgari, and including Cartier, Raymond Templier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Coloured stones, particularly sought after by international collectors will also be highlighted, as will natural pearls.

Julie Valade, Director of Artcurial’s jewellery department commented « This year, our selection reflects the history of jewellery by bringing together some wonderful Art Deco pieces, rare items from the 1960s, including a magnificent Boucheron necklace in coral and chrysoprase and some more contemporary jewellery by the well-known names in the market. For enthusiasts, there will be some less serious pieces, little gems such as a Pink Panther brooch »Collectors will discover a magnificent brooch signed Van Cleef & Arpels in platinum and 18 carat white gold. It represents a poppy flower made using serti mystérieux, the famous signature technique of the Maison de la place Vendôme. The six petals are laid with sapphires, while the pistil, the curved stem and the undulating leaves are set with diamonds (estimate : 40 000 – 50 000 € / 45 000 – 56 000 $).

Notably, among the jewels of the 60s, there is a lavish wrap around style necklace from the Maison Marchak, in 18 ct yellow gold and platinum. It is formed from two flexible intersecting chains and two cascades of emeralds, each one holding a sapphire at its extremity, of which the largest is 27,83 cts (estimate : 20 000 – 30 000 € / 22 500 – 34 000 $).

The 1920s are wonderfully illustrated with an Art deco double-clip, made by the jeweller Raymond Templier, in platinum and 18 carat white gold. The fashionable appeal of this stylised knot set with diamonds has been highlighted several times in reference works such as Le Bijoux Moderne, published by Editions Norma in 2005 (estimate: 40 000 – 50 000 € / 45 000 – 56 000 $) Connoisseurs of precious stones will also be delighted to discover some beautiful sapphires from Burma and Kashmir along with some coloured diamonds. In particular, there are two remarkable stones mounted in rings : a Fancy Light Pink pear-cut diamond in a pink gold mount (estimate : 230 000 – 250 000 € / 260 000 – 290 000 $) as well as a ring decorated with a 22,80 carat Royal Blue sapphire from Kashmir (estimate : 400 000 – 500 000 € / 450 000 – 560 000 $).

WATCHESSALES 20 AND 21 JULY 2015After a new French record in 2014 for a chronograph Rolex sold at auction for 336 600 € / 453 333 $, including buyers premium, Artcurial’s Collectors’ Watches department increased its sales total by 38% compared to 2013. This summer, a selection of 300 watches will be offered to international collectors. Amongst favourites from the watch making world, there will be vintage pieces and collector’s watches, that will attract attention for their rarity, beauty, condition and their history. The most prestigious makes are all represented: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin.

Marie Sanna-Legrand, head of Artcurial’s department of Collectors’ Watches, explained «This is an important sale comprising vintage and contemporary collectors’ pieces. In this eclectic selection, which will appeal to both collectors and enthusiasts, there are two real favourites: a Patek Philippe 130 in pink gold and a wonderful miniature gold prism clock by Cartier. » Rolex, in particular, will be celebrated with a remarkable set of iconic watches from the 1930s through to present day. Estimates of the 60 timepieces adorned with the trademark crown vary from 2 000 € to 100 000 € (2 200 à 112 000 $). However the collection which is likely to arouse the most attention amongst bidders is certain to be the « Collection of a Gentleman ». It comprises 7 wonderful Rolex models such as Daytona « Paul Newman » from 1971, a rare and beautiful chronograph with a black dial (estimate : 60 000 – 90 000 € / 67 000 – 101 000 $) ; and a Cosmograph Daytona model (estimate : 40 000 – 60 000 € / 45 000 – 67 000 $).

The real star of the watch sales, Patek Philippe, will be represented by a lavish watch from 2007, a rare and superb chronograph bracelet watch with a perpetual calendar in white gold (estimate: 130 000 - 180 000 € / 145 000 - 200 000 $). Other exceptional lots include two subscription watches numbered 8/300 (pocket watch and wrist watch), signed Breguet with estimates between 200 000 – 250 000 € / 220 000 – 280 000 $. These two watches were part of the famous 1991 exhibition celebrating the 200 years of the Maison Breguet. The pocket watch in particular represents the link between the first models of Abraham-Louis Breguet watches and the Breguet firm today. Finally, almost fifty signed pieces by Cartier, from the 1930s to present day, will be on offer in the sale. 

VINTAGE HERMÈS SALE 22 JULY 2015Since 2005, Artcurial’s Vintage Hermès sales have become an international reference. Year after year the auction house has reinforced its position as world leader in this field. The Monaco week provides an opportunity to bring together an exceptional selection of the finest pieces : special orders, unique items and iconic models made in rare leathers and exotic skins.

This sale, much anticipated by the world’s « fashionistas », will offer around one hundred lots, carefully selected by Eva-Yoko Gault, a specialist in Artcurial’s Vintage Hermès department. She says « For the fourth consecutive year, we are inviting collectors to submerge themselves in the world of luxury and elegance ‘à la française’. We have selected the best leather pieces, including the iconic and ‘must have’ Kelly and Birkin bags. » In a celebration of the expertise and creativity of the famous brand, the auction will present items in a wide range of colours and materials, crafted by Hermès. Besides the indispensable bags in ostrich leather (such as the Birkin red 35 cm estimate 10 000 – 12 000 € / 11 000 – 13 000 $) and crocodile (Birkin blue abyss 35 cm estimate 35 000 – 40 000 € / 40 000 – 45 000 $), there will also be a wide range of coloured leather creations with poetic names such as : pink bougainvillier, turtledove, atoll...

Highlights include two unique items representing special orders and the art of customisation from the Maison du Faubourg Saint Honoré. There is the très chic and magnificent Kelly-Golf in shades of blue – blue sapphire and blue denim – made in 2014, perfect for days on the green (estimate : 15 000 – 20 000 € / 17 000 – 22 000 $). Alternatively, for vintage artwork, there is a Kelly bag 32 cm, from 1972, in brown box leather, customised by the American street artist COPE 2. Like a contemporary fresco, the leather on this unique piece serves as a blank canvas for an explosion of colour (estimate : 10 000 – 15 000 € / 11 000 – 17 000 $).