Submitted by aarAdmin on Thu, 09/06/2018 - 00:00
Philips Auctions sold all but one of its 160 pocket watches at a special auction on August 14 – held the day after its usual decorative arts and jewellery sales.
The collection, which belonged to a late Melbourne surgeon whose wife wanted to remain anonymous, was lovingly assembled and an important part of his recreational activities when alive.
Top sellers from the collection included a solid gold Rolex wristwatch ($6830 including buyer’s premium), a James McCabe full hunter pocket watch ($4880), a Swiss open faced full sized chronograph example ($3170) and a fine Brush & Drummond full hunter ($2800).
Decorative arts were much in demand with an 88 per cent clearance rate – clocks, porcelain and paintings featuring prominently.
A major feature was an antique ivory elephant which changed hands for $25,600.
The jewellery auction attracted a large crowd of 131 bidders with lot 108 – an emerald and diamond ring – bringing $19,500 and a pearl bracelet (lot 7) $11,590.