RESULTS | GENEVAGeneva Luxury SalesThe Finest Jewels, Watches and Wine
Geneva – Christie’s November Luxury sales in Geneva realised a combined total of CHF126,399,658 / $126,312,257 / €111,439,872, attracting over 4,000 visitors to the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues. Registered bidders from 51 countries, across 6 continents, participated in the Magnificent Jewels sale, which was highlighted by THE WINSTON PINK LEGACY, the largest and finest Fancy Vivid Pink diamond ever offered at auction by Christie’s. The diamond sold for CHF50,375,000 / $50,375,000 / €44,423,358, the top price achieved across all houses in Geneva this November, and realised a world auction record price per carat for a pink diamond.
The Magnificent Jewels auction achieved a total of CHF 110,214,250 / $110,214,250 / € 97,192,796, with sell-through rates of 90% by value and 86% by lot. Leading the sale was THE WINSTON PINK LEGACY, a fancy vivid pink diamond of 18.96 carats. After 5 minutes of spirited bidding, THE WINSTON PINK LEGACY diamond, previously belonging to the Oppenheimer family, became the most expensive pink diamond ever sold at Christie’s, with Rahul Kadakia accepting the winning bid of CHF50,375,000 / $50,375,000 / €44,423,358 (price per carat $2,656,909) and achieving a world auction record price per carat for a pink diamond. This exceptional gem is now entering the Harry Winston collection.
Rahul Kadakia, Christie’s International Head of Jewellery, commented: “This exceptional diamond captured the imagination of international collectors across the globe, with over 30,000 people visiting Christie’s sale previews to see this remarkable stone. It has taken its rightful place among the world’s greatest diamonds, achieving CHF50,375,000 / $50,375,000 / €44,423,358, and setting a world auction record per carat.”
Art adviser Joseph Friedman, representing the vendor of THE PINK LEGACY, commented: “My client is extremely pleased with the result and Christie’s expert handling of every aspect of the auction. She is especially pleased that so many people were able to view THE WINSTON PINK LEGACY diamond when it travelled on exhibition to London, Hong Kong, and New York, ahead of the auction in Geneva.”
Nayla Hayek, President and CEO, Swatch Group/ Harry Winston: “We are proud to continue in the Winston tradition of acquiring the finest gems in the world and tonight THE WINSTON PINK LEGACY joins our incredible legacy collection, which began with the acquisition of the 101 carat, D Flawless, Winston Legacy diamond at Christie’s in 2013.”
Signed jewels performed particularly well, led by an Art Deco Egyptian revival sautoir, by Van Cleef & Arpels, 1924 (estimate: CHF2,000,000-3,000,0000), which achieved CHF4,332,500 / $4,332,500 / €3,820,629 and a rare early 20th century steel and diamond tiara by Cartier, which realised CHF492,500 / USD492,500 / €434,336. The four exceptional jewels by JAR saw collectors compete for these sought-after pieces, led by a spectacular multi-gem bouquet of violets brooch, created in 1993, which sold for CHF 732,500 / $732,500 / € 645,958.
Natural pearls continue to realise strong prices with an important natural pearl necklace selling for CHF1,152,500 / $1,152,500 / €1,016,336, against its estimate of CHF240,000-340,000. The Dodge Pearl necklace by Cartier (circa 1920, estimate: CHF600,000-800,000) sold for CHF1,116,500 / $1,116,500 / €984,641. Originally purchased by Horace Elgin Dodge, a founding brother of the Dodge Motor Car Company for his wife Anna Thompson, these pearls are steeped in the history of one of America’s greatest entrepreneurial families of the 20th century and were purportedly formerly in the collection of Empress Catherine II of Russia.
RARE WATCHES | 12 November 2018
Auction Total: CHF13,310,688 / $13,238,683 / €11,726,572
Sale Percentages: 94% by value | 89% by lot
Christie’s Rare Watches auction on 12 November achieved a total of CHF13,310,688 / $13,238,683 / €11,726,572, with sell-through rates of 94% by value and 89% by lot. The sale attracted registered bidders from 43 countries, across 6 continents and was led by an exceptionally rare first series Serpico y Laino Patek Philippe reference 2499 (estimate: CHF1,500,000-2,500,000), which sold for CHF3,252,500 / $3,234,905 / €2,865,417. This impressive first series Patek Philippe reference is distinguished by the superb original condition and, most notably, the signature SERPICO Y LAINO, CARACAS.
John Reardon, Christie’s International Head of Watches: “This auction was incredible not only for the monumental discovery and sale of the Serpico & Laino First Series 2499, but for the wide variety of offerings of high quality vintage and modern watches from multiple brands. The great majority of this auction was consigned and bought by private collectors. These fresh to market offerings continue to excite our collectors as new scholarship and previously unknown timepieces remain the hallmark of Christie’s Watches.”
FINEST & RAREST WINE | 11 November 2018
Auction total: CHF2,874,720 / $2,859,324 / €2,520,504
Sale percentages: 95% by value | 87% by lot
Christie’s Finest & Rarest Wine auction on 11 November 2018 concluded the 2018 wine sales in Geneva with an annual total of CHF 7,165,680 and sell-through rates of 97% by value and 91% by lot, representing the highest annual result for the past five years. Collectors around the globe, across all time zones, participated in the November auction, with over 40% of the lots being sold or underbid online.
The sale was highlighted by an imperial Pétrus 1989 which achieved CHF54,000 / $53,711 / €47,348. An excellent vintage benefiting from decades of maturity, the Pétrus 1989 is one of only few imperials of this vintage in existence and rarely seen on the market. Alongside the 1989, the auction presented an imperial Pétrus 1990 from the same cellar, which also realised CHF54,000 / $53,711 / €47,348.
Edwin Vos, Head of Wine Sales Continental Europe: “Christie’s has witnessed consistent growth for vintage champagnes, with collectors looking for specialties such as Krug Clos d’Ambonnay, 1995, which sold for CHF15,600 /$ 15,522 / €13,681. Leading the Madeira section, the Companhia Vinicola da Madeira, Terrantez 1795 realised CHF15,600 /$ 15,522 / €13,681, achieving five times its high estimate and underlining Christie’s market leadership in this field. Furthermore, a case of La Tâche 1969 from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti sold for CHF38,400 / $38,194 / €33,670, setting a new auction record at Christie’s. This lot was acquired at Christie’s in 1976 and is one of the most sought-after La Tâche vintages to collect.”
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