From an exquisite Tourbillon Souverain estimated to sell for €250,000 to €300,000 to a private collection of over 100 “sparkling” jewellery pieces, the draw of rare and collectable accessories at Artcurial’s Monaco Auction Week is of the very highest calibre.
Between 14th and 17th January, Artcurial’s team of experts and auctioneers will be taking up residence at the Hôtel Hermitage for the winter 2024 edition of Monaco Auction Week.
As always, the sales will feature a dazzling array of accessories, from luxury timepieces for men and a Le Temps est Féminin category of watches for women to jewellery and handbags, with a particularly strong collection of pieces from Hermès.
“These annual events have become a must for connoisseurs and collectors from around the world,” says a spokesperson for Artcurial.
The first day of the event will offer interested parties the chance to peruse the items ahead of the sales taking place on 15th, 16th and 17th January at the hotel.
WATCHES
Among the highlights in the men’s watches section, the auction for which will begin at 5pm on 15th January, is a showstopping pair from F.P. Journe, described by the event’s curators at a “genius watchmaker”.
The first is the Octa Chronographe Ruthenium, whose dial is plated with the metal ruthenium, a derivative of platinum. This limited edition from 2006 has an estimated sale price of €150,000 to €200,000 and is one of only 99 in the world. The second is an iconic Tourbillon Souverain that carries an estimated sale price of €250,000 to 300,000.
It will be the ladies’ turn on 16th January from 2pm, when auctioners for Le Temps est Feminin present what organisers are calling an “eclectic selection” spotlighting 1980s pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels, Patek Philippe and Piaget.
A number of the stunning timepieces have come from one private collection, which combines a wealth of textures and materials.
“Gold, delicately guilloché or textured, is combined with diamonds, pearls and wood,” says a spokesperson for Artcurial. “From hypnotic onyx dials to oversized lapis lazuli bezels, the sale will feature a variety of materials and genuine craftsmanship.”
According to Marie Sanna Legrand, Director of Artcurial’s Watch Collection, “The next Monaco Auction Week promises to be exciting for all lovers of clocks and collectible watches. Connoisseurs will have the pleasure of discovering ultra-desirable Haute Horlogerie pieces as well as watches steeped in history.”
JEWELLERY
At 5pm on 16th and then again at 2pm on 17th January, an impressive grouping of jewellery items from a private collector will go under the gavel. The collector in question is believed to have amassed about a hundred pieces from shops on the Place Vendôme, as well as from well-respected American and Swiss houses.
“The Monaco sale in January 2024 promises to be sparkling under a sky of multi-coloured stones and diamonds in all its facets,” says Jewellery Director Valérie Goyer.
Amongst these gems are 10 sets with top-quality diamonds from Harry Winston and a unique and very modern gold, brushed steel and 14.19 carat diamond ring from MC Brushes, which has been valued at between €80,000 and €120,000.
HANDBAGS
Finally, on 17th January at 11am, lovers of designer handbags will have their moment at the Hermès & Luxury Bags event. The So Black collection created by Jean Paul Gaultier in 2010 will be featured, as will an adorable Quelle Idole Hermès bag in orange and brown Gulliver calfskin from 2000, which has a projected sale price of between €12,000 and €22,000.
For more information about the series of auctions, click here.
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Main photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer