Auctions

Michael Caine’s Rolex Sells for $133K at Auction

AuctionsMar 03, 2022

Michael Caine’s Rolex Sells for $133K at Auction

The actor’s personal collection, including jewelry designed by his wife, Lady Shakira Caine, went up for auction at Bonhams.

20220303_1-Michael Caine.jpg
A photograph of Sir Michael Caine and his wife, Lady Shakira Caine. A collection of their personal items, including his Rolex watch, recently hit the auction block at Bonhams.
London—A collection of Sir Michael Caine’s personal items, from his gold Rolex watch to pairs of his iconic glasses, hit the auction block at Bonhams Wednesday.

Caine’s acting career has spanned six decades, starring in films like “Alfie,” “Get Carter,” “The Cider House Rules,” for which he won an Oscar, and several Batman movies, playing beloved butler Alfred.

Caine and his wife, Lady Shakira Caine, are downsizing and said they were ready to part with several mementos from his career.

“It’s going to be quite a wrench to part with so many treasured parts of my life and career, but it’s the right time to be moving on. I hope these mementoes will give their new owners as much pleasure as they have given us,” Caine said in a press release about the auction.

SEE: Michael and Lady Caine’s Watch Collection


The 183-lot sale was 100 percent sold, bringing in £847,000 ($1.1 million), against a presale estimate of £314,000 ($419,900).

His 18-karat gold Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date (Ref.19018/19000) sold for £100,000 ($133,500), not including the premium, far exceeding the estimate of £8,000-£12,000 ($10,680-$16,000).

The top lot set an auction world record for that particular model, said Bonhams.

Caine has owned the watch since 1979, and it’s appeared in several films, including “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.”

A Breitling Navitimer (Ref.80360/E56059) was also up for auction, selling for £8,500 ($11,350), far exceeding the estimate of £700-£900 ($935-$2,100).

Launched in 1985, Caine was an early fan of the Breitling Aerospace titanium analogue and LCD digital display bracelet watch, said Bonhams, and wore it often in the 1990s and early 200s, making it one of the most worn watches in his collection.

“The Breitling Aerospace was on Sir Michael’s wrist in 2008 when he was quite literally cemented into history, signing his name and placing his hand and footprints into the ‘Forecourt of the Stars’ outside the legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood,” said Bonhams.

 Related stories will be right here … 

A Traser H3 Black Storm Pro, circa 2000, was also up for sale. It sold for £3,200 ($4,270), flying past the estimate of £100-£150 ($133-$200).

Caine first began wearing the carbon fiber military-style calendar wristwatch in 2005, and he wore it to the London premiere of “Batman Begins.”

Lady Caine’s Patek Philippe La Flamme (Ref.4816/3), circa 1990, featuring a cream sigma dial with diamond-set hour markers and a diamond-set bezel, was also up for auction.

It sold for £15,000 ($33,400), more than double the high-end of the £5,000-£7,000 ($6,680-$9,350) estimate.

A selection of jewels designed and worn by Lady Caine were also on the auction block.

SEE: Lady Caine’s Jewelry Collection


She said she was inspired to create jewelry after visiting “The Costumes of Royal India” exhibition, curated by the late Diana Vreeland at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, which ran from Dec. 20, 1985, to Aug. 31, 1986, according to Bonhams.

“Being Indian, I was inspired by all of the Mogul jewelry. Indian jewelry will always live on. It’s alive, vibrant, and always worn with pride. It gives you a spark, a lift,” she said at the time.

She brought her designs to Harrods in London, later launching a line of accessories.

During the late 1980s, her jewels were sold at Harrods and Harvey Nichols in London, Bergdorf Goodman in New York, and Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, alongside other accessories.

Her line consisted of 30 necklaces, 40 pairs of earrings, and 20 bracelets.

“The bracelet and necklaces offered in this sale are from Shakira Caine’s personal collection, and they clearly reflect her taste and individual style during a very creative period in her life as a designer,” said Charlie Thomas, head of sale at Bonhams.

Seven of her eight jewelry lots were sold, with one being withdrawn.

Meanwhile, a portrait of actor Caine by artist Lincoln Townley sold for £19,000 ($25,370), well above the estimate of £10,000-£15,000 ($13,350-$20,000), with all proceeds going to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a U.K. charity which the Caines have long supported.

The Latest

Suspects in murder of father and son jewelers in Chicago
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers

Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.

Jeffrey Bennett
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North America

Tiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.

Robbins Brothers Pasadena store exterior
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena Flagship

The showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.

Recipients Collage 2025 - NJ (1872 x 1050 px) (1872 x 1052 px).png
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow Today

How Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.

Rolex Perpetual 1908 watch with 18-karat yellow gold bracelet
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%

The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.

Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Buccellati Étoilée earrings
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%

Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.

Silvia Furmanovich x Mellerio Butterflies in Flight Jewelry Box
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry Box

Furmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.

roseco-catalog.png
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line Catalog

Roseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.

JCK Las Vegas trade show
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event Director

Jennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.

Adler’s Jewelry storefronts New Orleans
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to Close

Adler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.

Green Lake Jewelry Works Seattle interior
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle Studio

Founder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.

Leon V. Der Calousdian
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85

The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.

Father-son jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and Luis Angel Alamo
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide

JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.

Mercedes Gleitze Companion Oyster
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’s

Mercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.

Gemological Institute of America logo
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back

GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.

Tiffany & Co. Love Is a Gift Campaign and David Yurman The Joy of Extraordinary Memories campaign
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns

Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.

Hand holding holiday shopping bags
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This Year

The National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.

The Rainbow Collection Christies
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’s

Late collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.

 Sapphire tennis necklace
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace

At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.

Foundrae Palm Beach Location Exterior and Founder Beth Hutchens
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’

The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.

Watches of Switzerland Mall of America store
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%

The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.

AGTA Spectrum winners
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors

Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.

G. St x Jewel Boxing Raffle for City Harvest Graphic
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food Rescue

All proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.

Courtney Cornell
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New President

Courtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.

Trucks at Orapa diamond mine
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3

De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.

Ulrich Wohn
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts

Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.

Artifex White Diamond, Fancy Dark Yellowish Brown Diamond, and Blue Sapphire Rings
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction Debut

Kindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy