AuctionsFeb 22, 2024
Elton John’s Leopard-Print Rolex Roars at AuctionAuctionsFeb 27, 2024
Sotheby’s MoonSwatch Suitcases Sell for Over $600K
The auction house sold all 11 “MoonSwatch Moonshine Gold” suitcases, donating the proceeds to eye care nonprofit Orbis International.
Each of the 11 suitcases contained 11 MoonSwatch watches, the popular timepiece that Omega and Swatch collaborated to make.
New York—Sotheby’s recent MoonSwatch auction was a white-glove sale.
The auction house, in partnership with Omega, hosted an online sale from Feb. 12-24 offering 11 “MoonSwatch Moonshine Gold” suitcases, each filled with all 11 Omega x Swatch “Mission to Moonshine Gold” timepieces.
The original MoonSwatch collection by Omega and Swatch, both Swatch Group-owned brands, made headlines when it was released in March 2022, drawing huge crowds and long lines.
Last year, they launched Mission to Moonshine Gold versions, debuting 11 watches with the seconds hand coated in 18-karat “Moonshine” gold, an in-house alloy of yellow gold.
The auction marked the first time all the models were offered together in one set, in a suitcase that normally is just used for show in Swatch stores.
All 11 suitcases sold for a total of 534,670 CHF ($606,885), with all proceeds going to Orbis International, a nonprofit that works to prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss around the world.
Related stories will be right here …
The auction house, in partnership with Omega, hosted an online sale from Feb. 12-24 offering 11 “MoonSwatch Moonshine Gold” suitcases, each filled with all 11 Omega x Swatch “Mission to Moonshine Gold” timepieces.
The original MoonSwatch collection by Omega and Swatch, both Swatch Group-owned brands, made headlines when it was released in March 2022, drawing huge crowds and long lines.
Last year, they launched Mission to Moonshine Gold versions, debuting 11 watches with the seconds hand coated in 18-karat “Moonshine” gold, an in-house alloy of yellow gold.
The auction marked the first time all the models were offered together in one set, in a suitcase that normally is just used for show in Swatch stores.
All 11 suitcases sold for a total of 534,670 CHF ($606,885), with all proceeds going to Orbis International, a nonprofit that works to prevent avoidable blindness and vision loss around the world.
“This unique auction really captured the imagination of MoonSwatch fans around the world,” said Raynald Aeschlimann, president and CEO of Omega.
“We’re so thrilled that the proceeds can now go to Orbis. We believe whole heartedly in their eye care mission, and we’re so pleased to have raised money as well as awareness for their work.”
The suitcases up for auction were unique, with each one holding a one-of-a-kind coin engraved with the 3-letter aviation code for its displayed city, like HKG for Hong Kong.
That code for that particular city is also engraved on the side of each watch in the suitcase.
Each suitcase had a pre-sale estimate of 5,000 to 10,000 CHF ($5,675 to $11,351), but the “Beijing” suitcase was the top lot, selling for 60,960 CHF ($69,198).
The “New York” suitcase was in second place, followed by Paris and then Zurich, with Milan and Bangkok tied for the No. 5 spot.
Prior to the auction, the 11 suitcases were on display at Omega stores in 11 cities around the world: Zurich, Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, London, Milan, Paris, and Sydney.
More on Auctions
The Latest
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
SourcingOct 01, 2026
Columbia Gem House Opens ‘Cutting Toward Change’ FundraiserProceeds from its jewelry raffle will benefit an organization working in India to combat silicosis, a lung disease affecting stone cutters.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes’ Championship Ring Reveals Hidden Hockey Puck PendantThe rings, crafted by Jason of Beverly Hills, celebrate the hockey team’s Stanley Cup win with design elements that honor its traditions.
TrendsOct 01, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: October’s Color Range This roundup of birthstone jewelry for October features vibrant tourmalines and opals with personality.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Botswana’s President, De Beers CEO Say Diamond Demand Is RecoveringPresident Duma Boko spoke at back-to-back events in the city last week, touting Botswana’s stability and the diamond “bounceback.”
CollectionsSep 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Book Is ‘A Living Archive’ The catalog showcases 112 new, one-of-a-kind pieces amid highlights from the jeweler’s historic archive.
SourcingSep 30, 2026
Gemfields Posts $98.5M Loss, Writes Down Value of Ruby MineIts Montepuez Ruby Mining operation in Mozambique, which is not yielding enough high-quality rubies, has taken a $125 million hit.
SurveysSep 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls to 12-Year Low in SeptemberThose surveyed were worried about the present and the future, with write-in responses mentioning high oil and gas prices.
