Roseberys’ Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Items auction on Tuesday 18 March achieved a steady 72% sell-through rate overall, with quality diamonds, loose stones and signed pieces by British jewellers pulling ahead. The watches achieved a 98% sell-through rate, with particularly robust results for historic pocket watches. 

Lot 586? A platinum diamond single stone ring, a brilliant cut diamond with a stated weight of 3.62 carats
Price Realised: £12,464

 

The star lot of the sale was a platinum diamond single stone ring, which realised a price of £12,464, at the top end of its estimate. Another top performer was Lot 487, a characterful gem-set chain necklace, with two floral motif panels. It flew over its £4,000-£6,000 estimate, realising a price of £9,184. Jewellery of this calibre has become increasingly expensive to manufacture due to the rising gold price, leading to greater demand on the secondary market which was demonstrated by the competitive bidding seen for this lot from buyers in the room, over the phones and online. 

Lot 487: A gem-set chain necklace, with two floral motif panels at opposing sides
Price Realised: £9,184

The strong performance of signed pieces by Kutchinsky and David Thomas demonstrated a continued appetite for exceptional signed jewellery, particularly by British legacy makers. The signed works by both jewellers achieved a 100% sell-through rate, generally selling to private buyers. In the 1960s, London had become the vibrant hub of a fresh, creative jewellery scene, bustling with emerging designers eager to innovate, and both Kutchinsky and David Thomas were at the forefront of this scene. There has been a resurgence of interest in these designers in recent years which the auction results attest to.

Lot 140: A pair of diamond earrings attributed to David Thomas
Price Realised: £1,050

The watches section of the sale was led by a mid 18th century gold and shagreen pair case pocket watch, which realised a price of £1,312 over a conservative estimate of £400 - £600. The watch is signed by Peter Fournier and bears a London hallmark for 1750, suggesting that the watch was produced during the golden age of watchmaking in London.  Another highlight from the watches section was lot 57, a steel and gold Rolex Datejust with a rare UAE Armed Forces dial which realised £7,216, demonstrating continued demand for unusual variations. 

Lot 39: Peter Fournier. A mid 18th century gold and shagreen pair case pocket watch
Price Realised: £1,312

“We’ve seen an increase in private buyers at this auction, which is always encouraging, with particular demand for high quality, signed jewels,” commented Catrin Jones, Head of Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Items at Roseberys.