MONTE-CARLO.- Over the last week, life in the Principality has run to the rhythm of sales held by Artcurial at the legendary Hotel Hermitage.

Dedicated to the most luxurious items: Jewellery, Watches, Hermès Summer Collection and Artcurial Motorcars, the series of sales totalled 14 143 974 € / 16 123 130 $ including premium, with 10 lots selling above 100 000 € in the prestige sales and one lot above 1M€ in the Artcurial Motorcars sale.

This result confirms Artcurial’s leading position in the different specialities.

Foreign collectors were particularly active, with 29 nationalities represented, and were involved in bidding battles lasting several minutes on the telephone and in the room. This indicator of Monaco’s international appeal as the capital of luxury endorses Artcurial’s decision to strengthen its presence by adding new projects each year.

« Once again, thanks to its dynamism, expertise and professionalism, Artcurial has confirmed its leading position in Monaco. Hosted in prestigious surroundings by the Société des Bains de Mer, these excellent results bode well for the upcoming winter season » --Louise Gréther, Director of Artcurial Monaco

Jewellery
With two dedicated jewellery auctions, the jewellery department at Artcurial realised a total of 3 216 900 € / 3 667 266 $ premium included on Monday 20 July. In a context that remains uncertain, over half the lots sold above the high estimate, including three lots above 100 000 €.

Some of the highest prices came during the evening sale, with bidders battling for several minutes on the telephone and in the room over two Van Cleef & Arpels clip brooches: lot 331, in gold and rubies sold for 22 100 € (nearly 6 times its estimate) and lot 353, a “Pirate” brooch in gold and enamel fetched nearly ten times its estimate, selling for 23 400 €. The heated bidding continued for lot 359, a compression by César, estimated at 10 000 € which sold for 58 500 €, demonstrating the appeal for collectors of pieces by César and jewellery artists in general.

This season has also shown strong demand from collectors for Italian jewellers (including Repossi, Pomellato, Bulgari and Marina B), already in evidence in the previous sale. A highlight of the sale was a ring with an 8.73 carat oval diamond, an old cut, estimated at 15 000 € which changed hands for 106 600 €. The highest price was achieved by another exceptional ring: a 10.42 carat emerald-cut diamond of the highest quality which sold for twice its estimate, at 839 800 euros (lot 442).

Finally, interest amongst collectors is always strong for the Art Deco period, confirmed by the price of 91 000 € achieved for a stunning necklace in rock crystal, diamonds, enamel and aquamarine by Jean Fouquet, and the ring N° 436 in platinum, rock crystal, diamonds, mother of pearl and set with an 11 ct sapphire.

« The magic of Monaco has been at work once again during these unprecedented times, strengthening our leading position in Jewellery in this region. Collectors reserved some lovely surprises for us, favouring signed jewellery and pieces from the Art Deco period which remain the two flagship areas in our speciality.» Julie Valade, Director of Jewellery, Artcurial

Fine Watches & Le Temps est féminin
Artcurial’s Fine Watches department held two separate sales on 19 and 21 July: Fine Watches and Le Temps est Féminin, dedicated to Ladies Watches. The combined total was 3 191 416 € / 3 638 214 $ including premium. The incredible dynamism seen for collectors’ watches during these two days of sales resulted in a record total of 2 738 990 € for Fine Watches, with 80% of lots sold and an increase of 26% for the two sales on the previous winter session.

The Bull Collection was at the heart of this success. The lots came under the hammer in an animated atmosphere, with six prices over 100 000 €, one over 200 000 € and an average of 40 000 € per lot. Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet dominated with their three flagship models Nautilus, Daytona and Royal Oak. The two highest prices were for two Nautilus models by the Swiss house Patek Philippe. One was a “Special Series 40th anniversary” ref.5711/P (lot 13), which sold for 232 200 €, and the other was a Nautilus Jumbo ref.3700/001 (lot 4) which sold for 126 100 €, double its estimate. The third highest price was achieved for a Rolex Daytona ref.6263/8, which at 119 600 € was nearly double its estimate. Amongst other notable results, lot 69 was a lovely vintage Rolex from Vietnam, which also made double its estimate, demonstrating the strength of the vintage watch market.




This sale highlighted the return of jewellers to the world of ladies’ watches. Piaget has dominated the market for several seasons but Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels also demonstrated their strong appeal. Two of the highest prices were achieved for Cartier watches – one in platinum and diamonds which sold for 72 800 € (lot 554) and lot 505 which made three times its estimate, selling for 27 300 €. Lot 574, a Van Cleef & Arpels ‘secret’ yellow gold wrist watch with rubies and diamonds made three times its estimate, selling for 44 200 €.

This sale is demonstration that Artcurial has established itself in 2020 as the leading player in this field in Monaco as well as France.

« This year Artcurial demonstrated its lead in Monaco and maintained its position on the international stage, confirmed by a very dynamic market and the selection of rare watches from the Bull Collection and le Temps est Féminin. A single leitmotif: less is more…» --Marie Sanna-Legrand, Director of Fine Watches, Artcurial

Hermès Summer Collection
On Sunday 19 July, the Hermès Vintage & Fashion Arts department opened the 3 days of auctions with a sale that is always eagerly awaited, the Hermès Summer Collection. On offer were some sixty bags by the iconic Maison du Faubourg, as well as 5 Louis Vuitton X Suprême accessories.

With a sale total of 581 240 € / 662 614 $ including premium, Artcurial demonstrated the continuing demand from international collectors for exceptional models.

Mini, collector, vintage, exotic, harlequin...the most unusual models were extremely popular amongst collectors who have become increasingly informed about distinctive and rare items. However, it was the ever popular classics in exotic skins that achieved the highest prices: a blue jean Niloticus crocodile Birkin 30 bag (lot 1006) doubled its estimate at 65 000 €, a matt red H alligator Birkin 35 sold for 31 200 € (lot 1020), and a matt Mykonos Blue Niloticus crocodile Birkin 35 fetched 29 900 € (lot 1001).

There were strong results for other Hermès classics, such as Bolide and Constance bags, as well as their mini versions. A burgundy porosus crocodile Constance 24 bag (lot 1021) sold for 13 000 € and a pink Schéhérazade niloticus crocodile Kelly Cut clutch fetched 15 600 € (lot 1011).

Artcurial Motorcars in Monaco
In a return to the Rock, Artcurial Motorcars realised close to 7,2 M€ / 8,3 M$ in the Monegasque sale. Enthusiasts rediscovered the auction house’s distinctive ambiance in the glamorous surroundings of the Principality of Monaco, renowned for its passion for the automobile.

Following 4 days of viewing both on the Place du Casino and in the private museum of HSH The Prince of Monaco’s collection, Artcurial Motorcars’ first sale after the period of confinement took place at the Hotel Hermitage. Large numbers of collectors were able to attend the auction taken by Matthieu Lamoure and colleague Pierre Novikoff. Strict compliance with social distancing regulations failed to dampen the convivial atmosphere of the sale.

The 1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing with NSL engine (lot 663) was one of the sale’s successes. Presented in spectacular, original condition with just 38 000 miles from new, this 300 SL coupé sold for 1 416 000 € / 1 614 240 $ including premium. With 100% French history and in impeccable presentation, the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (lot 633) also attracted multiple bids and changed hands for 858 200 € / 978 348 $ premium included.

Ever-present along the Mediterranean coastline, cabriolets were in demand, particularly when they belonged to the stars, such as the 1962 Bentley S3 Continental cabriolet Park Ward (lot 635). Bought new by Eddie Fisher while married to Elizabeth Taylor, the car found a new owner for 304 000 € / 346 650 $ premium included.

Another elegant pre-war cabriolet coming from the renowned Volante Collection, the 1939 Bugatti 57 Cabriolet 4-seater by Vanvooren (lot 619) offered a great opportunity to acquire a unique and historic vehicle. The car changed hands for 500 600 € / 570 684 premium included.

Finally, the Monegasque passion for motorsport was evident in strong bidding for race and rally cars, notably the rare 1966 De Tomaso Vallelunga which changed hands for 500 600 € (lot 678), and the 1978 Alpine A110 1600X (lot 644) which fetched 81 100 € / 93 494 $.

« This was the first physical auction following the confinement and the majority of the star cars in this Monegasque sale changed hands. The Artcurial Motorcars team is delighted to have exceeded its objective in reaching an international clientèle who placed bids in the room, on the telephone and online. » --Matthieu Lamoure, Auctioneer, Artcurial Motorcars