AuctionsMar 20, 2024
Vintage Baume & Mercier Gifted by Elvis Going Up for AuctionAuctionsApr 08, 2024
Sotheby’s ‘Rough Diamonds’ Sale Is All About … Watches
The auction will take place Thursday and is underground, literally.
This 18-karat gold and citrine Jaeger-LeCoultre Ref. 7295 pinky-ring watch dates to 1953 and is one of 24 lots being offered in Sotheby’s upcoming “Rough Diamonds” watch auction. The watches will be on display in Geneva Monday through Wednesday, with the sale slated to take place Thursday.
Geneva—Today in Geneva, two dozen vintage watches that Sotheby’s describes as “avant-garde and overlooked” will go on display ahead of a live auction later this week.
The “Rough Diamonds” sale features bejeweled, unusually shaped, and car-themed timepieces from brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Piaget.
There’s a Corum watch that looks like the grill of a Rolls-Royce from 1980, the circa 1975 Chopard exploding with color (and with a hydrogrossular garnet dial), and the pinky-ring watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre from 1953 that screams mob-wife aesthetic, seen at top of article.
SEE: 5 of the Watches in “Rough Diamonds”
The “Rough Diamonds” sale features bejeweled, unusually shaped, and car-themed timepieces from brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Piaget.
There’s a Corum watch that looks like the grill of a Rolls-Royce from 1980, the circa 1975 Chopard exploding with color (and with a hydrogrossular garnet dial), and the pinky-ring watch from Jaeger-LeCoultre from 1953 that screams mob-wife aesthetic, seen at top of article.
SEE: 5 of the Watches in “Rough Diamonds”
Designed by Jacqueline Dimier, this car-shaped, white gold, diamond and emerald Audemars Piguet is from 1995. It’s estimated to sell for CHF 40,000 to 80,000 ($44,180 to $88,382).
This Patek Philippe ring-watch-necklace set designed by Gilbert Albert circa 1962 is yellow gold set with enamel and pearls. The estimated sale price for the suite is CHF 30,000 to 50,000. ($33,150 to $55,253).
This Corum Rolls-Royce watch, Ref. 55585, is expected to sell for CHF 5,000 to 10,000 ($5,525 to $11,051). Corum sold this watch as a limited-edition timepiece starting in 1990, making just 60 a year.
Piaget made this yellow gold, lapis lazuli, and jade bracelet watch in 1970. It is expected to sell for CHF 20,000 to 30,000 ($22,101 to $33,151).
Audemars Piguet came out with the “Cobra Khanjar” one year before it debuted the “Royal Oak,” with its mesh, serpent-like fully integrated bracelet inspiring the name. This circa 1985 Cobra is estimated to sell for CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000 ($55,254 to $110,511).
Sotheby’s organized the auction in collaboration with heist-out, a “watch and creative collective” that did something truly original last year—it launched a print magazine.
Commenting on the auction, heist-out co-founders Maxime Couturier and Lorenzo Maillard said, “In an industry where each new release often melds into the next, it is invigorating to pay homage to the trailblazers of yesteryear and affirm that audacity has always been pivotal in shaping watch design.”
The public exhibition for Rough Diamonds will take place Monday through Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. CEST underground, literally.
The watches are on display in the wine cellar at La Corne à Vin, 47 Rue de Lausanne, Geneva.
The auction also will take place in the wine cellar, at 6 p.m. CEST on Thursday.
Bidders can participate in person, on the phone, or online via the Sotheby’s website.
To see all the watches in the auction, visit Sothebys.com.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
