Monaco – For the 10th consecutive year, Artcurial takes up residence in its summer quarters in the hotel Hermitage de Monte Carlo between 18 and 22 July, for a week of auctions devoted to luxury collectors’ items : jewellery, watches, and vintage Hermès. Under the hammer of Maître François Tajan, bidders from Asia, America, Russia and Europe will discover genuine works of art. Year after year, the Monaco week proves to be one of the most anticipated events of the year, with the sales in 2014 totalling 14 M€ / 19 M$ in 2014, with close to 35 nationalities represented.

« 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.

JEWELLERY
SALES 21AND22JULY2015
To 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 $).

WATCHES
SALES 20 AND 21 JULY 2015
After 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 $).