Bonham’s Sale Gets Motors Running at Pebble Beach
Timed to coincide with the 14th annual Bonhams Sale of Exceptional Motorcars, Motorcycles and Related Automobilia at Quail Lodge in Carmel, Califorina, during the famed Pebble Beach Car Week, Bonhams & Butterfields’ August 19th Jewelry and Watches sale brought engine-revving results and was a big hit among watch and jewelry collectors and car enthusiasts alike.
Automobilia-themed pieces saw particular success: a diamond-and-18K gold Rolls Royce radiator wristwatch brought $7,076 (est. $3,500-4,500); a stainless steel calendar chronograph and bracelet wristwatch by Girard-Perregaux for Ferrari brought $4,880 (est. $3,000-4,000); a pair of diamond, jasper, rock crystal and onyx cufflinks, carved in the form of a 1929 Duesenberg J101, brought $4,270 (est. $3,500-5,500); a pair of Michael Kanners’ moonstone, rock crystal, onyx and diamond car cufflinks brought $3,660 (est. $3,000-5,000); and an 18K gold Rolls Royce belt buckle brought $3,050 (est. $1,000-1,500).
Highlight watches were also a big hit: a stainless steel-and-18K gold Rolex brought $6,344 (est. $4,000-6,000); a Giotto Buti 18K white gold automatic chronograph wristwatch brought $6,100 (est. $5,000-7,000); a Panerai Luminor titanium automatic calendar diver’s wristwatch brought $6,100 (est. $5,000-7,000); and an Ebel 18K gold automatic calendar bracelet wristwatch brought $5,490 (est. $5,000-7,000).
“The astute buyers at the Quail Lodge prove the ongoing strength of the luxury jewelry market,” commented Deborah Boskin, Jewelry Specialist at Bonhams & Butterfields. “Signed jewelry and watches continue to bring premium prices.”
Some of the auction’s highest-ranking items demonstrated just that, with prices soaring for diamond-inclusive necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches and rings alike.
Top, sparkling necklaces and bracelets included a blue and green tourmaline and diamond necklace that brought $10,980 (est. $7,500-9,500); a diamond and 18K gold bangle bracelet that brought $10,370 (est. $9,000-12,000); and a Vacheron and Constantin diamond and 18K gold bracelet wristwatch that brought $9,150 (est. $5,000-7,000).