CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
AuctionsMar 06, 2019
Oskar Schindler’s Longines Wristwatch Offered at Auction
The subject of the book “Schindler’s Ark” and film “Schindler’s List,” he is credited with saving the lives of more than a thousand Jewish people during World War II.
This Longines watch originally belonging to Oskar Schindler, the European industrialist and Nazi party member who saved over 1,000 Jews during World War II, is up for auction along with other personal effects.
Boston—RR Auction is currently offering a timepiece with fantastic historical provenance at auction.
The Boston auction house’s March sale features a single lot of personal possessions once belonging to Oskar Schindler (1908-1974), the industrialist born in Austria-Hungary (now Czech Republic) who is credited with saving the lives of nearly 1,200 Jewish people during World War II.
A European collector and longtime RR Auction client consigned the lot, the auction house said, and it has a solid chain of custody that can be traced back to the estate of Oskar’s wife, Emilie, who outlived her husband by nearly 30 years.
Schindler was a member of the Nazi party, and through wartime connections, obtained an enamelware and munitions factory in Poland that had been seized from its original Jewish owner.
Despite his Nazi party standing, Schindler became a secret advocate for the local Jews who were being forced into ghettos and concentration camps by employing them at this factory and repeatedly bribing Nazi officials to keep them from being deported.
Schindler’s efforts were made known first by the 1982 Booker Prize-winning historical fiction novel “Schindler’s Ark,” and later, the Steven Spielberg-directed “Schindler’s List.”
Among the items selling in the Schindler lot is a stainless steel Longines watch with a white face and gold-tone hands and time markers with a black leather strap. The timepiece features a manual-wind mechanical movement (caliber 12.68Z).
Longines told National Jeweler that the watch was invoiced in December 1956 to Pérusset, which was the company’s agent in Argentina at that time. (Schindler and his wife lived in Argentina for a period following the war.)
Also featured in the lot is a compass by Bezard/Gotthilf Lufft with a built-in folding metal cover. RR Auction said that it is purported to have been used by Schindler and his wife Emilie in 1945 when they fled Russian troops for U.S.-occupied territory.
Another interesting piece is a Sudetenland Medal from 1938, commemorating Austria joining the Nazi Third Reich. It was given to German officials, including members of the Wehrmacht and SS who marched into Sudetenland, an area that had once belonged to Germany but been given to Czechoslovakia after World War I.
The medal was also given to German military
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
who occupied Czechoslovakia during World War II. Schindler received the medal because he had participated in the annexation of Sudetenland as a spy for the German government.
The 32 mm medal depicts a man standing on a German podium, as another man, breaking free from shackles, joins him. The medal is suspended from a black and red ribbon.
Rounding out the lot are two fountain pens that belonged to Schindler and a circa 1957 wooden business card with Schindler’s German address.
Schindler and his wife fled to Argentina after World War II, though Schindler eventually returned to Europe in 1957, living between Germany and Israel—largely with the support of the people whom he had helped during the war—until his death in 1974. Emilie remained in Argentina.
The sale estimate for the items was listed at $25,000, though, as of press time, bids had reached over $30,000.
The sale, which is being held online, concludes today.
More on Auctions
The Latest
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
Weekly QuizJun 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
James Avery to Revamp In-Store Retail ExperienceThe Texas-based jeweler is gradually rolling out a new experience-forward layout in its stores.
MajorsJun 17, 2026
Seahawks’ Super Bowl Ring Blends Meaningful Design, Technical CraftsmanshipThe Super Bowl LX champions were honored with diamond and blue sapphire rings by Jason of Beverly Hills.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Policies & IssuesJun 17, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry Names New Executive DirectorMarianna Smirnova previously spent a decade working with the Responsible Minerals Initiative, in addition to other relevant roles.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
5 Things to Know About the 2026 NBA Championship TrophyThe New York Knicks took home the Larry O'Brien Trophy crafted by Tiffany & Co.
TrendsJun 16, 2026
Post-Vegas Jewelry Trend Report: Big Beads, Western Flair, White MetalsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco lists the trends she spotted during Jewelry Market Week that will dominate the second half of 2026.
SourcingJun 16, 2026
GemGuide Updates Ruby PricesIts app now reflects increased prices for Mozambique ruby, as well as changes to its Burma ruby charts.
MajorsJun 16, 2026
Sasha Primak Hires New Design DirectorThe manufacturer has tapped Alicia Arnold, the former director of custom design at Tiny Jewel Box.
IndependentsJun 15, 2026
DeBoulle Diamond & Jewelry to Renovate Dallas FlagshipThe revamped, elevated space will feature a two-story Patek Philippe atelier and a rooftop patio for parties.
WatchesJun 15, 2026
G-Shock, Coca-Cola Partner on Bottle-Inspired WatchThe special-edition piece marks the 140th anniversary of the iconic beverage brand.
TrendsJun 15, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Tiny Charms Are TrendingHere are 13 small charms to inspire your layered looks this summer.
CollectionsJun 12, 2026
Chouette Designs To Launch Collection Celebrating All Types of LoveOur Pride Month Piece of the Week, the “Margaux” ring, is part of the wife-and-wife team’s new “Lovestoned” collection.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2026
CBG Announces Plans for Phoenix ShowThe group has named the keynote speaker and announced a new pavilion for its next event, which is slated for September.
EditorsJun 11, 2026
This Was the Best Animal Jewelry in Las Vegas From lions and hippos to snails and fish, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow wrangles her picks for cutest jewelry critters in Las Vegas.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Grandview Klein, London Jewelers Partner To Cut 63-Carat RoughThe big stone will be fashioned into a 20.26-carat diamond in celebration of the retailer’s 100th anniversary this year.
MajorsJun 11, 2026
Former Cartier Creative Director To Head Chanel’s Jewelry Creation StudioMarie-Laure Cérède will join Chanel as the new director of its jewelry creation studio, starting in October.
Lab-GrownJun 11, 2026
Smiling Rocks’ ‘Wish Jar’ Generates 100+ Wishes in Las Vegas At the JCK show, the lab-grown diamond brand teamed up with Jewelers for Children to support Make-A-Wish India.
SourcingJun 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Exec Joins Diamonds Do Good BoardIlana McCabe is Signet’s vice president of public relations and brand communications.
AuctionsJun 10, 2026
31.62-Carat ‘Azure Blue’ Diamond Sells For $8M+ at Christie’sIt was a banner day for blue gemstones, with another blue diamond topping $8 million and a 41-carat sapphire going for $2.3 million.
MajorsJun 10, 2026
Saks Global Receives Bankruptcy Court Approval for ReorganizationThe approval means the retailer is on track to exit bankruptcy proceedings this summer.
CrimeJun 10, 2026
2 Suspects Arrested in Texas Jewelry Store RobberyThe men are believed to be part of the group of several masked suspects that robbed Marc Robinson Jewelers in April.
CollectionsJun 10, 2026
Sylvie Debuts ‘Elevated’ Bridal Collection Inspired By Designer’s RingThe bridal-focused brand is also launching its Custom Atelier this summer, a digital custom design tool for its authorized retailers.
