MONTE CARLO.- Starting Sunday 12 January at the Hôtel Hermitage, the Maison will exhibit the lots for its prestigious Jewellery, Fine Watches, Le Temps est Féminin and Hermès Winter Collection sales.

Despite an increasingly competitive environment, with a total of over €10 million in sales year after year, Artcurial dominates Monaco's market and has proven its ability to attract an ever-growing number of local and international collectors. For example, this past July, 80% of sales were attributed to foreign buyers, representing 38 different nationalities.

The auction on 14, 15 and 16 January 2020 will be another opportunity for the Maison to confirm itself as the leader on the Riviera.

The most extraordinary pieces from private collections will be showcased under the hammer of auctioneer and Artcurial deputy chairman François Tajan.

"An extremely rare piece of jewellery from Lalique will symbolise the high standards and quality that guided the selection of the 600-700 pieces of jewellery on offer in this new auction in the Principality.

It is not only a piece of jewellery to wear but also a collector's item for its magnificent stylistic daring and exceptional quality of workmanship: a fine tribute to decorative arts and French-style luxury.

Nor will fine watches be lacking, with several extremely rare watches (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, etc.) which are sure to appeal to enthusiasts from all over the world.” ---François Tajan, Deputy Chairman, Artcurial

Fine Watches Tuesday 14 January at 6pm
This year, the auction will begin with the Fine Watches department, led by Marie SannaLegrand, who will open the proceedings with an incredible group of 180 lots covering nearly 300 years of watchmaking history.

Following the sale of a portion of the Fondation Napoléon's private collection on 9 December, which was highlighted by the success of pocket watches, Artcurial is building on its momentum by offering a new collection of pocket watches. The collection includes watches made at the time for the Chinese market, which are sure to captivate the Asian market.

Wristwatch collectors will appreciate the phenomenal rarity of the models on offer. These include two Rolex watches from the descendants of the original owners: a Padellone, ref. 8171, the first watch with a calendar made by Rolex in the 1950s (€200,000 - €300,000), and a Comex, ref. 5514, which belonged to a diver and comes with all accessories (case, diving log, etc.), estimated at €80,000 - €100,000.

Included in the exceptional pieces is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from 2010, ref. 15305ST. This is one of the last 39mm models produced from the 1,000 pieces made (estimate: €40,000 - €60,000).

Lastly, enthusiasts of the brand Patek Philippe will appreciate the Nautilus, known as the "Jumbo", ref. 3700, from the 1970s, or the model l3712, whose estimates are around €80,000 - €120,000 each.

“The most discerning connoisseurs will be drawn to this selection of timepieces from the 18th century to the present day, including an important collection of enamelled technical watches for the Chinese market, which comes from a private collection, not to mention the remarkable vintage watches including Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet." ---Marie Sanna-Legrand, Fine Watches Director, Artcurial

Jewellery Wednesday 15 January at 2pm and 6pm
Having totalled €4.2 million in the 2019 edition, with more than half of the lots sold above their estimate, the Jewellery auction will take place in two sessions on Wednesday 15 January, at 2pm and 6pm.

For this new season, gemstones will be highlighted, including blue-green, yellow-green and pink diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, spinels… Department head Julie Valade and her team have outdone themselves to offer a true "colorama" of precious stones, each one more extraordinary than the next. The treasures found on the Rock include a pink gold pendant necklace made of a square-cut blue-green diamond, a pear-cut yellow diamond and eight pear-cut pink diamonds estimated at €250,000 - €280,000. Two other extraordinary stones, estimated at €160,000 - €180,000, will also be on offer: a yellow gold ring set with a 15.04 ct yellow diamond, and another in white gold adorned with a 2.01 ct cushion-cut yellow-green diamond.

Other unmissable lots that will pass under the hammer of auctioneer François Tajan, designed by the most prestigious names from Place Vendôme – Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Repossi, as well as jewellery by artists such as César, Arman and others – are sure to captivate collectors. Finally, this session's rarity and uniqueness will be reflected in pieces by highly coveted jewellers, including an opal-set Lalique neck plate from the Maurice Rheims collection, estimated at €150,000 - €200,000, as well as a pair of earrings adorned with sapphires, emeralds and diamonds by Marinée B (estimate: €15,000 - €25,000) and a large Boivin “trembleuse” brooch known as the "Ombelle" from 1939, set with brilliant- and baguette-cut diamonds. (estimate: €30,000 - 35,000) One highlight of this sale will be the auctioning of a portion of Italian actress Ornella Muti's jewellery collection.

"Once again, this year's sale will be an unforgettable one. We are so proud to present part of Ornella Muti's jewellery collection, with everyday jewels that embody the elegance of Italian jewellery. One of the major items on sale is a René Lalique neck plate from the Maurice

Le Temps est Féminin Thursday 16 January at 2pm
These three days of prestigious auctions in Monaco will come to a close on Thursday 16 January at 2pm with the highly anticipated themed sale Le Temps est Féminin, led by Marie Sanna-Legrand, director of Fine Watches. This sale will once again feature leading brands such as Cartier, Bulgari and Rolex, representing nearly 90 lots to be auctioned off.

Piaget is undeniably the star brand when it comes to ladies’ watches. Many fine creations will be exhibited, including a wristwatch in yellow gold and diamonds dating from the 1980s, ref. 83541, estimated at €30,000 - €50,000, as well as a high jewellery limelight, ref. 81541 C626, dating from the 1990s in yellow gold and diamonds estimated at €25,000 - €35,000.

Among the highlights of this year's edition are two extraordinary high jewellery pieces by Geneva-based Patek Philippe. A platinum and diamond wristwatch with hidden dial dating from the 1950s, estimated at €150,000 - €250,000, as well as one from the 1960s, estimated at €150,000 - €250,000.

"Our new theme Le Temps est Féminin will be launched with a private collection of eight extraordinary pieces, including two masterpieces fully covered in diamonds from the Geneva-based Patek Philippe, as well as original designs by Piaget, Gérald Genta and Omega." --Marie Sanna-Legrand, Fine Watches Director, Artcurial

Hermès Winter Collection Thursday 16 January at 11am
The Vintage Hermès & Fashion Arts auction on Thursday 16 January at 11am, hosted by Alice Léger, will exhibit about a hundred exceptional lots sure to thrill collectors of the Hermès brand.

The wildest variations of the iconic Birkin and Kelly bags will be on display, featuring the most exquisite leathers and boldest colours, such as the Birkin 35 in Braise saltwater crocodile (estimate: €22,000 - €32,000) or the Kelly Retourné 32 in Bleu Thalassa, Indigo, Bleu Jean and Étoupe Clémence taurillon leather (estimate: €9,000 - €13,000) as well as Constance 24 in Bleu Abysse Nile crocodile (estimate: €15,000 - €25,000).

Limited editions and special orders will also be available during this sale, including a gorgeous Birkin 25 in multicolour Swift calfskin entitled "One Two Three and Away We Go", produced in collaboration with British designer Nigel Peake (estimate: €15,000 - €25,000), or a version of the Quelle Idole bag – whose name is a play on “Kelly Doll” – in orange and brown Gulliver calfskin (estimate: €9,000 - €13,000) designed by Jean-Louis Dumas.

Another irresistible curiosity for climbing the hills of Monaco or cruising along the Côte d'Azur is an Old Dutch bicycle made of black metal and covered in brown Clémence taurillon leather, made in collaboration with the traditional Dutch bicycle company Batavus (estimate: €1,500 - €2,500).

"For this winter edition, the Birkin Bag will be on show! Whether small or large, this iconic Hermès bag will be available in a wide range of materials and colours. Several limited editions and special orders will also be included in this sale, such as the Kelly Sellier 32 in Calvacadour canvas or the Birkin 30 in Coromandel Rose Lipstick and Aztec Blue goatskin." --Alice Léger, Vintage Hermès Specialist