Further to the government's announcement regarding a second national lockdown, we can confirm that our Jewellery, Silver, Watches & Wine sale will go ahead on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th November with bidding available online via our website. Any items purchased will be available via a 'click and collect' appointment system from our salerooms in Cambridge.
The watch section of the sale has some stunning items on offer with the highlight being a late Victorian 18 carat gold half hunter pocket watch by famous English horologist, Charles Frodsham which dates back to 1850. Charles Frodsham founded his horology business in the 1840s. Named Charles Frodsham & Co, the company remains in existence as the longest continuously trading firms of chronometer manufacturers in the world. This has an estimate of £1,500 - £2,500. Also available is a 1964 gentleman’s Breitling ‘Navitimer’ wristwratch. This is an example of one of the original 806 Navitimer important chorongraph models which set the template for technical pilot’s watches. Billed as a wrist-sized computer when it was first developed in 1952, the watch is able to compute distance travelled, flight time, airspeed and remaining fuel consumption, due to the integration of a slide rule. This has an estimate of £800 - £1200.
Steven Collins, Head of Jewellery, Silver and Watches at Cheffins comments: “These are two outstanding watch examples which will be popular amongst serious collectors. The Frodsham is an outstanding example of British Victorian horology at its best and is a testament to the skill of the Frodsham brand. Meanwhile, the iconic Breitling Geneve Navitimer 806 remains today near the top of every vintage watch collector’s wish list. There are also some other 103 watches available, with varying estimates, making this a great sale for watch lovers at any level of the market.”
Amongst the jewellery section, a selection of exceptional Belle Epoque pieces are on offer including an impressive diamond and pearl brooch/pendant which has an estimate of £4,000 - £6,000; a garland style diamond stomacher with an estimate of £1,500 - £2,500 and a sapphire and diamond brooch with an estimate £1,000 - £2,000). There is also available a large carved double-hinged oval locket which is offered in its original case and has an estimate of £1,500 - £2,500.
Fay Roach, Jewellery and Watches Specialist at Cheffins says: “The Belle Epoque era is widely regarded as a period of great taste, aesthetic beauty across the arts and great innovation in jewellery design. Dating from around 1880 to the outbreak of World War 1 in 1914, it was a time of peace, optimism and prosperity and jewellery design was made to match. As a result, Belle Epoque remains one of the most popular eras for antique jewellery collecting and these exceptional pieces in the next sale ought to be of interest for both private buyers and dealers alike.”
There is also a selection of high value metalware on offer. A George III 18 carat gold snuff box dating back to 1814 has the highest estimate at £5,000 - £7,000. The piece was created by Alexander J Strachan, one of the foremost snuffbox makers of the time and is highly decorated. There is also a 19th century German silver novelty table ornament modelled as a hare by B. Neresheimer & Sohne, Hanau, with Chester import marks, which stands at over 33cm tall. This has an estimate of £1,500 - £2,500. Similarly, a pair of early George III silver cast candlesticks by Ebenezer Coker, dating back to 1760, have an estimate of £800 - £1,200.
Amongst the wines, six bottles of 2008 Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild have an estimate of £800 - £1,200. There is also a good whisky contingent, with a George & J.G Smith’s Glenlivet from 1938 which is also is estimated to make between £800 and £1,200.
Jewellery, silver and watches will be offered on the 5th November whilst the wine and spirits will be offered on the 6th November.
Auction: ‘Carats and Clarets’ – The Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Wine Sale – 5th and 6th November