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.
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.
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
Sponsored by Tasha R
A federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
Cynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
From protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
The new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
The auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
This fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
The four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
The “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
The money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
The event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
Local reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
The Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
Hampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
The group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
The collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
This year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
Senior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
The latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
No. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
Instead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.