Versace 2017 Watches Are More Than Just Accessories

Versace V-Extreme Pro 

When Versace expanded into watches in 2004 it brought on the Timex Group Swiss Luxury Division (a division of Timex Group) to design, manufacture and distribute its timepieces with the iconic luxury fashion brand’s codes, such as the Medusa head and the maze-like Greek keys. 

Not surprisingly Versace watches are designed and treated more like accessories than timepieces. That will probably always be the case for a brand like Versace but this year’s new products show more dedication in looking and acting more like timepieces. 

For example, the V-Extreme Pro (above and top photo) with its black dial and sunray guilloché finish has a second time subdial at 9 o’clock and a small seconds subdial at 3 o’clock. The Medusa is in relief at 12 o’clock. The 46mm case is available in bicolor black, ion-plated (IP) gold or ion-plated (IP) bronzed steel. An interchangeable top ring provides a choice of an engraved minute scale or the engraved Versace logo repeated three times. In addition, it’s available in five bicolored versions and comes with either a silicone strap with a hot-pressed logo or a metal bracelet.

Versace is known for its bold color choices. The black and gold colored Daphnis watch is an example of this. Its black dial and black leather strap is enhanced with an IP yellow gold bezel. The main design feature of the 35mm watch is the Greek keys, which are engraved on the gold bezel and run in a north-south row across the dial and along the black leather strap of the black dial model. The yellow gold Medusa head is in relief at 12 o’clock and on the crown. 

There’s also a version of the watch with a beige mother-of-pearl dial and an IP yellow gold bezel and bracelet.

The 36mm Idyia watch is described by Versace as a “play of shapes within shapes.” Set into the round base is a faceted, 10-sided top ring with polished or diamond-studded edges that provide a contrast with the satin-finish surface. A supersized Greek keys stands out against the mother-of-pearl dial with an alternating polished and matte effect. The 3D Medusa is at 12 o’clock.

A standard model is available with polished edges and a bi-colored (steel and IP plated gold) bracelet and a luxury version with diamond-studded edges and an IP gold bracelet. 

Straight from the Versace woman’s Spring/Summer 2017 catwalk, the Palazzo Empire’s bold 3D Medusa Head in the center of the dial is positioned between two watch glasses, embellishing and enhancing the sunray guilloché dial. The bezel is adorned by an enameled Greek keys design in colors that match the calfskin strap. It is available in white, black or pink.

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The Marcial de Gomar Collection Of Emeralds To Be Auctioned This Month

Perhaps the most valuable private collection of emeralds is set to go on the auction block and it just got better with a rare pair of "cat's eye" emeralds. 

The sale of the Marcial de Gomar Collection of rare emeralds will be held at the Americas Society at 680 Park Ave. with online bidding at www.liveauctioneers.com. Guernsey’s auction house of New York will host the sale, which will be held April 25 at 7 p.m.

The Marcial de Gomar Collection includes more than 20 loose cut and rough emeralds, 13 pieces of emerald jewelry, and a selection of rare gold and silver coins. The collection belongs to Manuel Marcial de Gomar, who has more than 50 years in the emerald business, spanning from the legendary Muzo mines of Colombia to the U.S. retail market. His knowledge of rare emeralds has placed him in demand as an author, lecturer and consultant. While his family continues their involvement with these gems through the Marcial de Gomar Emeralds International retail and wholesale business in Key West, Fla., it is Mr. Marcial's lifelong personal collection that is being sold.

Featured lots include the following: 

The 887-carat “La Gloria,” the fourth largest known rough Colombian emerald from the Muzo mine. Its estimate is $3 million - $5 million. 

The newest addition to the auction is a matched pair of emeralds featuring the extremely rare cat’s eye emeralds, with a total weight of 74.52 carats. They were cut from a single 370-carat trapiche emerald (an emerald with rare six point radial pattern) and are believed to be the largest matched pair of Colombian cat’s eye emeralds in the world. Their combined estimate is nearly $2 million. 

Perhaps the most important piece in the collection is the Marcial de Gomar Star, the largest of only 11 star emeralds known to exist and perhaps the first of its kind as a double-sided star emerald, according to the auction house. Its estimate is $2 million - $3 million.

With a combined weight of 95.51 carats, the Tears of Fura is an extremely large and well-matched pair of fine teardrop shaped Colombian emeralds from Muzo mines. They have a combined estimate of $3 million - $4 million.

The Corona de Muzo necklace, centered with a 24.34-carat emerald from the famed shipwreck, the Nuestra Senora de Atocha. The gem is set in a 22k and 18k gold with crown details, featuring additional baguette and round cut diamonds and round cut emeralds. Its estimate is $5 million - $6 million.

Treasure hunter Mel Fisher selected Mr. Marcial to be the independent appraiser of all emeralds recovered from the Atocha. As payment he received a selection of emeralds from the world-famous wreck. A number of gold coins from the 1715 Fleet shipwreck are also part of the sale.

The entire collection will be presented to the public for the first time at the auction. 

Viewings will be held April 23, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.; April 24, Noon – 7 p.m.; and April 25, Noon – 7 p.m. 

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Artist Jewels, Led By Andrew Grima, Featured At Bonhams London Auction

Gold, diamond and fire opal brooch/pendant, 1970, by Andrew Grima.  All photos courtesy of Bonhams except where noted

All of the big names, including Cartier, Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels, will be part of the Bonhams London Fine Jewelry sale on April 27. However, the auction house will also feature the works of several contemporary jewelry artists, led by Andrew Grima.

Jean Ghika, head of Jewellery for Bonhams UK & Europe, was particularly excited about the five pieces by Grima that will be included in the sale. She says the Anglo-Italian jewelry designer, known for his modern works in the 1960s and ’70s, is a “pioneer of his day” who placed a strong emphasis on textures and conceptual designs.

“It wasn’t about the stones but the concept,” she said during a recent meeting at Bonhams London headquarters. “He was very instep with the changing trends. He represented an interest in jewelry as an art form rather than a conglomerate of stones.”

The Grima pieces she highlighted are:

Jean Ghika, head of Jewellery for Bonhams UK & Europe
displays the Andrew Grima pendant. Photo by Anthony DeMarco

A gold, diamond and fire opal brooch/pendant, 1970, with the oval-cut opal set among an abstract arrangement of textured 18k gold cinnamon sticks, with a brilliant-cut diamond accent. Its estimate is £5,000 - £7,000 ($6,275 - $8,800).

A rutilated quartz, cultured pearl and diamond torque necklace, 1990, with the textured torque suspended at the front by a carved rutilated quartz “apple” with brilliant-cut diamond highlights, surmounted by a grey cultured pearl and brushed leaves. Its estimate is £7,000 - £10,000 ($8,800 - $12,500).

A color change sapphire and diamond ring, 1977, with a cushion-shaped, unheated Sri Lankan sapphire set within an abstract surround of brilliant-cut diamonds mounted on stalks. Its estimate is £5,000-7,000 ($6,275 - $8,800).

The auction of 141 lots will offer a breadth of jewels including signed pieces, antique items and colorful gems. 

The top lot is a Van Cleef & Arpels ring featuring a 10.28-carat E color marquise-cut diamond set between pear-shaped diamonds with an estimate of £150,000 - £200,000 ($188,200 - $251,000).

Signed jewels
The top three items in this group are:

A diamond 'Fuchsia' brooch and earring suite by Van Cleef & Arpels is among the top items in this group. The brooch is designed as a fuchsia flower head, its petals pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds and its stamen reveals an articulated cascade of pear-shaped diamonds. Its estimate is £70,000 - £100,000 ($87,800 - $125,500).

In addition, the auction will offer an Art deco diamond bracelet by Cartier, circa 1925. Signed “Cartier Londres,” the finely pierced articulated geometric strap is decorated with cushion-shaped old brilliant and single-cut diamonds. Its estimate is £20,000 - £30,000 ($25,100 - $27,600).

Another standout in this group is an enamel and diamond “Serpenti” bracelet-watch by Bulgari, circa 1965-1970. The articulated bracelet is composed of a series of overlapping scales applied with orangey-yellow and red enamel. The serpent’s head has a forked tongue and marquise-cut diamond eyes. Its mouth opens to reveal a circular watch dial. Its estimate is £50,000-60,000 ($62,700 - $75,300).

Antique jewels
Some of the standouts in this group are:

A 19th century diamond rivière necklace composed of 45 collet-set cushion-shaped diamonds weighing 43 carats. Its estimate is £60,000 - £80,000 ($75,300 - $100,380).

Photo by Anthony DeMarco

A Georgian diamond panel bracelet, circa 1780, composed of a series of individually sprung plaques, each pavé-set with old brilliant-cut diamonds, within a border of similarly-cut diamonds, mounted in silver closed back settings. Its estimate is £8,000 - £10,000 ($10,000 - $12,500).

An early 18th Century gold and diamond necklace of Portuguese origin in its original fitted case. It’s designed as a series of ribbon-bow motif links suspending a chandelier fringe. Its estimate is £10,000 - £15,000 ($12,500 - $18,800).

A special spinel
Bonhams is placing a special emphasis on spinels. These gems in red and blue (there are other colors) are sometimes mistaken for and are actually rarer than rubies and sapphires. However, their prices are lower. In September 2015, the 50.13-carat Hope Spinel fetched the world record price of $1.4 million at Bonhams London Fine Jewellery Sale, also setting a world record of $30,000 per carat, nearly double the previous record.

For this sale Bonhams is offering an early 20th century spinel and diamond ring. The 5.3-carat Burmese, unheated, step-cut spinel, circa 1915, is set within an octagonal surround of old single-cut diamonds. Its estimate is £15,000 - £20,000 ($18,800 - $25,100).

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Omega Unveils 60-Year Anniversary Models For 3 Iconic Watches

The year, 1957, was a very productive one for Omega. The Swiss watch brand released three watches—the Seamaster 300, Railmaster and Speedmaster—all became an instant hit and a classic within their product categories.

This year, Omega is celebrating the 60th anniversary for each watch by presenting a limited edition of each model and a special “trilogy” edition.

Omega employed digital scanning technology to create accurate representations of the original watches—including cross-sections and dimensions. This, along with drawings of the original models, served as design templates for the new watches, which were slightly revised but remain true to the 1957 models.

All three watches are cased in brushed and polished stainless steel and feature black “tropical” dials. The stainless steel bracelets feature a retro-style Omega logo on the clasp. All of the logos on the watches are in a different style—a reference to how individual suppliers in the 1950s interpreted the Omega logo.

Each watch is limited to 3,557 pieces and delivered inside a presentation box inspired by the original 1957 packaging, including the Seahorse on the lid, a retro logo and red corduroy lining—with two spare straps; leather and NATO; and a tool to change them.

The Seamaster 300 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 39mm
The very first Seamaster 300 was sought after for its water-resistance, black dial, broad arrow hour hand, bi-directional diving bezel, and recessed triangular hour markers. The 2017 model, based on the CK2913, features a black aluminum bezel and retains the original Naïad sign on the crown, which back in 1957 was a mark of the watch’s water resistance. The Seahorse on the caseback also refers to the original in 1957. It is powered by the Omega Master Chronometer caliber 8806 and comes with a four-year warranty.

The Railmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Master Chronometer 38mm
The double-case anti-magnetic watch was designed for scientists, technicians or anyone who worked close to electrical fields. The original’s unpretentious style has been carried over into the 2017 model, though the vintage indexes are slightly deepened to allow a stronger light from the Super-LumiNova filling. The watch is powered by the Omega Master Chronometer caliber 8806, which can resist magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss and comes with a four-year warranty.

The Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 38.6mm
The original Speedmaster, called the “Broad Arrow,” due to its distinctive hands, was not only the first Speedmaster, it was also the first chronograph wristwatch with a tachymeter scale on the bezel as opposed to printed on the dial—a feature designed for race car drivers. On the new model, the font was redrawn to match the scale of the original 1957 tachymeter. It is powered by the Omega 1861 caliber.

The Trilogy presentation box
Omega has created a 557-piece limited edition package and engravings for those who purchase all three 60th anniversary models. The outer-box, made of Swiss oak wood, is engraved with the 1957 Seahorse on the lid and a front-plate engraved with “Trilogy 60th Anniversary, 001/557.”

Inside is a smaller box, inspired by the 1957 version, which contains all three watches. Each dial is printed with “TRILOGY” and the Limited Edition number; and each caseback is engraved with "LIMITED TO 557 TIMEPIECES.”

The larger box also includes a leather watch roll with three spare leather and NATO straps; and a wooden spring bar changing tool.

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Colored Diamonds, Cartier Ruby Brooch Among Top Lots At Bonhams New York Auction

A fancy colored diamond and diamond ring is the top lot of Bonhams New York Fine Jewelry sale. The jewel is centered with a 6.32-carat European cut fancy vivid, yellow diamond set between two old mine cut diamonds. Its estimate is $400,000 - 600,000.

Referring to the old European cut of the diamond, Susan Abeles, director of US Jewelry at Bonhams, said: “This old fashioned cutting style, rarely found in today’s market, epitomizes old world charm, brilliance and, above all, depth of color,”

It one of two colored diamonds jewels that will lead the April 24 sale. The other is a fancy colored diamond and diamond necklace by William Goldberg.

The modern-design necklace is set with 17 cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant-cut fancy yellow diamonds, weighing a total of 47.34 carats. Each yellow diamond is set within a round brilliant-cut diamond surround and enhanced by baguette and round brilliant-cut diamonds. The central fancy yellow diamond weighs 5.02 carats and graded as internally flawless. Its estimate is $350,000 - $550,000.

The sale includes a variety of gems and jewels including signed pieces from Cartier, Verdura and René Boivin; statement sapphires and emeralds; and collectable items from the Art Deco period, the 1960s and 1970s.

While the colored diamond lots are expected to be the top earners, the most interesting pieces are the signed jewels, which showcase variety, colorful precious materials, fine design and craftsmanship. They cover a number of periods.

Perhaps the most notable signed piece is a fine ruby and diamond clip brooch by Cartier, circa 1935. It reflects the evolution of style from Art Deco to Art Moderne, Abeles said. “Gone are the strong, flat, colorful, geometric lines as these were replaced by the more sculptural aesthetic found in jewelry of the mid-1930s.”

The brooch is geometrically designed and centers on a 3.54-carat marquise mixed-cut Burmese unheated ruby. The central ruby has a pavé-set frame of baguette and round brilliant-cut diamonds, further enhanced by round cabochon and sugarloaf rubies and accented with square step-cut diamonds. Its estimate is $300,000 - $400,000.

“From the mid-1930s Cartier created and sold predominantly sculptural, mono-chromatic and diamond jewelry. While gemstone preferences of sapphire, emerald, aquamarine, topaz and turquoise can be found, very few ruby examples exist,” Abeles said. “This particular clip brooch provides an elaborate, yet simple, showcase for an exquisite gemstone. The brooch is a real collector’s item given the Cartier name, the era and composition.”

Other signed jewels of note include:

An aquamarine and diamond “Feuille De Platane” brooch by René Boivin, circa 1950, featuring a 21.90-carat, heart-shaped aquamarine enhanced by textured gold leaves and adorned with old European-cut diamonds. Its estimate is $20,000 - $25,000.

A citrine and 14k rose gold brooch by Verdura, 1941, with an estimate of $5,000 - $7,000.

Original Blue Book Tiffany “Lily Of The Valley” designed by Donald Claflin for Tiffany & Co., 1969. It is the original prototype for the 1969 Tiffany & Co. Blue Book brooch. The inspiration for this jewel comes from the French custom of giving Lily of the Valleys on the first of May to celebrate spring and as a good luck charm. The brooch is composed of eleven en tremblant lilies, set with round brilliant-cut diamonds, to a gold stem with green enamel leaves. Its estimate is $5,000 - $7,000.

The oldest piece of jewelry being offered is an antique pair of emerald and gold earrings dating back to circa 1800, estimated at $3,000 - 5,000. 

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Mismatched Diamond Earrings Could Fetch $68 Million At Sotheby’s

Courtesy of Sotheby's

A mismatched pair of fancy colored earrings, offered as individual lots, will lead Sotheby’s spring sale of Magnificent Jewels and Noble Jewels, May 16 at the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva. Together the auction house says they make up the most valuable set of earrings ever sold at auction.

“The Apollo Blue,” a 14.54-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, will be presented with an estimate of $38 – $50 million and “The Artemis Pink,” a 16-carat fancy intense pink diamond, has an estimate of $12.5 – $18 million.

“The Apollo and Artemis diamonds will be the stars of our May sale in Geneva—by far the most important pair of earrings ever offered at auction,” said David Bennett, worldwide chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division. “These exquisite colored diamonds are enormously rare and each is a wonderful stone in its own right. Together, as a pair of earrings, they are breathtaking.”

They are named after Apollo and Artemis, a twin brother and sister among the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. 

The pear-shaped Apollo Blue is the largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond ever to be offered at auction, Sotheby’s said. It was graded as a Type IIb diamond, which amounts to less than 1% of all diamonds. In recent years, the only mine to produce blue diamonds with any regularity is the Cullinan mine in South Africa. When in full production, less than 0.1% of diamonds sourced showed any evidence of blue color, according to the Gemological Institute of America, which graded both diamonds and issued reports on them. An infinitesimally small percentage of those is graded Fancy Vivid Blue.

The pear-shaped Artemis Pink, graded by the GIA as a Type IIa diamond, describing this category as “the most chemically pure type” of diamonds. The occurrence of pink diamonds remains exceedingly rare: according to the GIA, of all diamonds submitted to their specialists each year, ‘no more than 3% are classified as colored diamonds; less than 5% of those colored diamonds are predominantly pink’. 

“Thus, a fancy intense pink stone of such rich color and impressive size can only be described as phenomenally rare,” the auction house said.

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Caviar-Themed Promotion From Lagos And Philadelphia Hotel Benefits Autism Research

Lagos, the nationally known luxury jewelry brand, has teamed with The Rittenhouse hotel in Philadelphia for a special caviar-based promotion to raise funds for autism research.

The luxury hotel is using the month of April (Autism Awareness Month) to launch its new private-label caviar—a 30-gram tin of oscietra caviar from Sturia, the flagship brand of French caviar producer Sturgeon. 

Throughout the month, guests at the hotel’s restaurants—Lacroix, Bar210 and the Library Bar—can order “The Caviar Experience” package, which includes The Rittenhouse private-label caviar with traditional accompaniments, a bottle of one of Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2004 champagne. The food a drink course will be paired with the Lagos Black Caviar enamel beaded bracelet with pavé diamonds set in sterling silver with 18k gold accents. Caviar is the signature line of jewelry created by the Philadelphia-based jewelry brand.

The cost of the package is $2,150 with 15% of proceeds going to Autism Speaks—a national organization that promotes solutions for individuals with autism and their families through advocacy and support.

Guests who wish to tie in the caviar package with a hotel stay at The Rittenhouse’s suites can book it ahead of time. Rates start at $4,000 with 15% of proceeds going to Autism Speaks.

Sylvain Briens, The Rittenhouse food and beverage director, said the partnership made sense for a number of reasons. First, the name of Lagos' iconic jewelry line shared the name of the promotion; second, the company is based in Philadelphia; and third, because Lagos has a branded boutique at Rittenhouse Square, near the hotel.

“We can’t think of a better way to launch our private-label caviar than by working with our Rittenhouse Square neighbor and highlighting their signature Caviar line,” Briens said. “Being able to also contribute to a charity we are all passionate about is a great bonus.”

For more information about this promotion, visit lacroixrestaurant.com or call 215-790-2525. 

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92-Carat Flawless Heart Shaped Diamond To Appear At Christie’s Geneva Sale

A 92-carat D Flawless heart shaped diamond is estimated to fetch $14 - $20 million at Christie’s Geneva Magnificent Jewels sale, being held May 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues.

The diamond is beings sold as the centerpiece of a cultured pearl necklace with the name, La Légende. The piece was created by Boehmer et Bassenge, a high jewelry house that was launched a year ago.

La Légende, a cultured pearl necklace, by Boehmer et Bassenge, featuring a 92.15 carats, D, Flawless heart-shaped diamond

The heart-shaped diamond is the highlight of an international tour of jewels in the upcoming sale—making stops in Hong Kong (March 30 – April 2), London (April 10 – 12) and New York (April 21 – 25 and May 5 – 8).

La Légende is one of two jewels by Boehmer et Bassenge that will be part of the Geneva auction and the worldwide preview of jewels and gems. The other is La Vie Bohème, chandelier earrings, each with an asymmetrical pink diamond bow, a pear-shaped diamond connecting link, and each suspending a marquise-cut diamond weighing approximately 10.07 and 10.05 carats. Each drop is a D color, flawless clarity diamond. The estimate is $2 - $3 million.

The May 17 auction at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, will feature approximately 250 jewels. It will include diamond and ruby earrings and bracelet once owned by Elizabeth Taylor, a Cartier and Art Déco collection assembled by Cartier expert Éric Nussbaum and Italian jewelry designs from the 1900s to the present day in a dedicated "Dolce Vita" section. Among other highlights:

A 15.03-carat unheated Burmese ruby set on a diamond ring with an estimate of $10 - $15 million.

A 14.88-carat unheated Kashmir sapphire set on a diamond ring with an estimate of $1 - $1.5 million.

A Cartier diamond and platinum fringe necklace once owned by the late Doris Duke is part of the sale. The 20th Century heiress purchased the necklace at Cartier New York in 1937 for $65,000. The mounting alone was auctioned by Christie’s in 2004 as Duke removed all of the larger diamonds for use in her other jewels. The buyer spent years replacing all of the missing stones with age appropriate diamonds, Christie’s said. It will now be offered at the Geneva sale with an estimate of 3-5 million.

The sale also includes a number of colored diamonds and signed jewels from Boucheron, Cartier, Harry Winston and JAR. 

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Collectors See Value In Richard Mille Watches At Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction

Richard Mille RM008

The appeal of contemporary independent watchmaker, Richard Mille, continues to grow. Demand has now extended to the auction market, where his rare, expensive and technically advanced timepieces are earning a following among collectors. 

All four Richard Mille watches (including a women’s watch) on offer sold at the Sotheby’s Hong Kong Important Watch Sale with two of them among the top five lots. It was one of the main stories at April 5 auction where collectors were attracted to a variety of established and contemporary brands. 

“Collectors’ interest has become increasingly diverse, with the top ten lots comprising not only traditionally sought-after brands, but also complex models and those by independent watchmakers,” said Jessie Kang, Sotheby’s head of Watches, Asia. “Unique designs and rare pieces remain popular, with all four Richard Mille watches on offer sold. Bidding from 33 countries was vibrant, with many new buyers in the sale room and a number of Sotheby’s existing clients exploring the field of watch collecting for the first time.”

The top lot wasn’t a watch but a clock and art object. The Cartier “Flamingo and Lotus Automaton Clock” sold for $537,924, above estimate. It features a bejeweled flamingo and lotus set on an 18k yellow gold rectangular base set with onyx and gray mottled hardstone. One of four large round lapis lazuli buttons activates the lotus automaton. The top of the base is in mother-of-pearl with a large yellow diamond and diamond-set lotus. Its ten petals open to reveal the dial, all on nephrite leaves. The large flamingo standing on one leg is covered with brilliant-cut diamonds. Its plumage set with square-cut sapphires, rubies and emeralds, with the beak made of pink hardstone and onyx. Sapphire eyes are the final touch. 

The top lot among watches was the Richard Mille RM008, a pink gold tourbillon split seconds chronograph (top photo) that sold for $383,053. This highly complicated watch is powered by the manually wound caliber RM-008/1 with a one-minute tourbillon carriage visible at 6 o'clock with compensation balance, semi-skeletonized matte charcoal dial, two subdials for constant seconds and 30-minute register, outer scale calibrated for tachymeter, fan-form power reserve indicator at 11 o'clock position and torque indicator at 1 o'clock. It’s all housed in an 18k pink gold tonneau-shaped case.

The third lot of the sale fell to one of the most popular brands on the auction market, Patek Philippe, with a pink gold minute repeater perpetual calendar, reference 5013, which sold for $352,611, within its estimate. 

A Jaeger-LeCoultre white gold Spherotourbillon watch with date, flyback seconds and power reserve indicator, was the fourth highest seller, fetching $281,509. 

Rounding out the top five was the Richard Mille RM 015 “Tourbillon Perini Navi.” It’s inspired by the sailing vessels of the yacht builders Perini Navi of Viareggio. The white gold tonneau-shaped semi-skeleton Tourbillon timepiece fetched an above-estimate, $273,466.

The sale at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre took in more than $7.4 million, with 75.2% sold by lot and 84.8% sold by value. A total of 303 lots were on offer.

“We are pleased with the solid results and the healthy sell-through rate of the sale,” Kang said. 

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