The Magnificent Jewels sale concluded the company’s 250th anniversary sale season in Geneva with a sale total of CHF 96,860,750/$97,117,588, bringing the total for all Geneva auctions throughout 2016 to CHF282,534,174.
The sale was driven by international interest and appeal for exceptional and privately sourced objects. The top lot of the jewellery auction was the extraordinary fancy vivid pink pear-shaped diamond of 9.14 carats, achieving the second highest price for a pink pear-shaped diamond sold at auction at CHF18,127,500 / $18,174,631, price per carat: $2,000,000
The revival of the Parisian 18th century Boehmer et Bassenge haute joaillerie house was heralded by two spectacular lots, establishing a new record price for a pair of earrings sold at auction (CHF17,567,500) and achieving CHF8,327,500 for the D Colour diamond necklace, entitled Le Jardin d’Isabelle. The third piece ever made by the house – another pair of earrings with the main D-colour flawless diamonds weighing 11 carats each – will be sold in Hong Kong on 29 November.
To mark Christie’s 250th anniversary, the November Magnificent Jewels auction offered eight lots which have passed once or twice already through our salerooms at some point in our long history. The section was highlighted by an Art Déco ruby and diamond bracelet, by Van Cleef & Arpels, selling for CHF 1,291,500 /$1,294,857, four times its pre-sale estimate
Overall 35 lots sold over 1$ Million throughout 2016 with the top three lots being:
The Oppenheimer Blue, a rectangular-cut, fancy vivid blue diamond weighing 14.62 carats, selling for $57.5 million in May 2016, setting the auction record for the most expensive jewel ever sold at auction
A pear-shaped, fancy vivid pink diamond, weighing 9.14 carats, selling for $18,174,631 in November 2016
Miroir de l’Amour, a pair of pear-shaped D coulour flawless diamond earrings, weighing 52.55 and 50.47 carats, by Boehmer et Bassenge, selling for $17,613,175, setting a new world auction record for a pair of earrings
MAGNIFICENT JEWELS
Sale total: CHF96,860,750 / $97,117,588 sold 82% by value and 77% by lot
Rahul Kadakia, International Head of Christie’s Jewellery Department commented on the auction and state of the jewellery auction market: “The sale showed depth and stability of the market, combined with international interest for the best lots offered in the auction market. The two outstanding lots by Boehmer et Bassenge established the highest price for any pair of earrings ever sold at auction. The PINK established the second highest price for a pear shaped pink diamond sold at auction and also demonstrated the continued demand for exceptional stones. The sensational diamond necklace by Harry Winston was bought back by Nayla Hayek, Winston CEO for CHF8.3 million, commenting on the purchase: “a masterpiece, which we are delighted to own again”. Quality and rarity, combined with provenance and freshness to the market defined the success of the auction.”
RARE WATCHES
Sale total: CHF14,702,500 / $14,864,227 sold 92% by value and 85% by lot
“Christie’s welcomed collectors from around the world for its autumn auction of Rare Watches including Nautilus 40 Part II. Bids were received from a dynamic room, a very active internet participation and busy phone lines. The sale result of CHF 14.7 million reflects very well the current state of the international watch market, searching for exceptional, fresh to the market watches, consigned by private individuals. The international community of watch collectors was also strongly bidding for exceptional pocket watches, as per example lot 143 (see top ten) or lot 207, an early and possibly unique 18k “Cabriolet” key wound lever pocket chronometer by Patek Philippe, offered for CHF10,000-15,000 and selling for 20 times its high estimate for CHF259,000 . The second offering of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 40 celebration section was strongly sought after with exceptional results achieved for lot 318, ref 3700/1G, doubling its pre-sale estimate and lot 322, ref3700/031 achieving the second highest price in the auction. We are looking forward to our next Important Watches including Nautilus 40 Part III auction in Hong Kong on 28 November”, commented Thomas Perazzi, Head of the Geneva Watch department and auctioneer.
FINEST AND RAREST WINES
Sale total: CHF3,785,592 / $3,853,082 sold 98% by value and 94% by lot
“Christie’s Geneva autumn wine sale represents the highest sale total for any Christie’s wine auction to date in 2016, alongside some very strong sell through rate at 98% sold by value and 94% by lot. This result also represents a strong welcome back to Geneva and a sign that the concept of offering a taste around the world, Pétrus, Lafite-Rothschild, Latour and Domaine Romanée-Conti, combined with a focus on Chartreuse and 19th century Madeira, proved to catch the interest of a wider client base. Recent auctions in London and the specific online-only sales for the category have also performed very strongly, a fantastic way to start the celebration into 50 years of stand-alone wine auctions, starting this December,” commented Edwin Vos, Head of Continental Europe Wine department.
