Wannenes Auction House concluded its winter Monaco sales on 3rd and 4th December at the Hôtel Métropole, with jewellery, luxury handbags and collectible watches achieving combined hammer prices exceeding €1.1 million across the three sessions.
The jewellery auction on 3rd December drew competitive bidding for coloured gemstones and signed pieces, whilst the 4th December sessions featured Hermès handbags and high-complication timepieces from major manufactures.
Jewellery results
An important platinum ring set with a 13.10 x 12.95 x 7.95mm octagonal-cut Burmese ruby achieved €101,600, surpassing its estimate. The ruby, accompanied by SSEF certification attesting to Burmese origin with no heat treatment and minor oiling, anchored the coloured gemstone category.
A platinum ring featuring a 13.00 x 9.05 x 6.55mm octagonal-cut Colombian emerald with SSEF certification and old-cut diamonds sold for €88,900. A gold and silver ring set with a 14.25-carat colour-change sapphire from Sri Lanka, certified as untreated and changing from blue to violet, reached €19,685.
Signed pieces performed strongly. A Van Cleef & Arpels platinum, gold and diamond bandeau bracelet bearing the maker’s mark of Louis Maruzzi, the Italo-French jeweller active in Paris from 1911 to 1944, sold for €76,200. The bracelet, set with old-cut diamonds and numbered 29822, carried French platinum, gold and maker’s hallmarks.
A Bvlgari tricolour gold Tubogas bracelet-watch with 750 hallmark achieved €27,940, whilst a gold and diamond necklace signed M. Buccellati with brilliant-cut diamonds reached €13,335.
Additional results included a platinum ring with a 6.58-carat old-cut diamond (GIA certified, colour W/X, clarity SI1) selling for €34,290, and a pair of gold clip earrings with peridots, onyx and diamonds signed Marina B, France, which achieved €11,440. A pair of gold, natural pearl and diamond pendants with SSEF certification attesting the pearls as natural and formed in a saltwater environment sold for €23,495.
Luxury accessories session
The luxury handbags session on 4th December morning saw Hermès and Chanel models attract international bidders.
A 2024 Hermès Kelly Sellier 25 in Rose Extrême calfskin with palladium-plated hardware, new and unworn with original accessories, achieved €26,670. A Chanel Coco Handle handbag in burgundy faux fur and leather with gold-tone hardware sold for €5,588, whilst a Chanel Timeless Jumbo in pink python with silver-tone hardware and CITES certificate reached €6,350.
Watch auction highlights
The 4th December evening watch session produced the sales’ highest hammer price when an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Skeleton Ref. 25829PT in platinum from 2009 sold for €228,600, more than doubling its low estimate. The watch, numbered 214 with approximately 156 pieces believed produced, came complete with original box, guarantee and adjustment keys.
A Rolex Submariner Milsub Ref. 5517 from 1978 achieved €158,750, exceeding its estimate. These military watches, commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence with fixed bars, NATO straps and circled T marking, are rare in unrestored condition as many were destroyed or modified after decommissioning. The example offered included a second bezel for MilSub furniture.
A Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Big Red” Paul Newman Ref. 6263 in stainless steel from 1979 sold for €78,000. The watch, featuring a black dial and red “Daytona” inscription, bore “Phoenix Soleil” engraving on the case back, having been gifted by this insurance company to top agents.
From the Cartier selection, a Baby Bamboo Coussin Ref. 78110 in 18-karat yellow gold from circa 1975 achieved €36,830. The 21 x 27mm cushion-shaped watch with manual movement came on its original leather strap with gold deployant clasp.
The auctions drew participation through the Wannenes platform as well as LiveAuctioneers and Drouot portals. Founded in 2001, Wannenes Auction House operates offices in Milan, Genoa, Rome, Turin and Monte Carlo.
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Images sourced from Wannenes