Timepiece Tuesday: Christie’s, Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Ulysse Nardin, Breitling, Philip Stein and Oprah

Christie’s Sets Record for Watch Sales Led by Patek

With its final auction of the fall season on December 14 in New York, Christie’s International wrapped up a record-breaking year for fine and rare watches that realized $91.2 million in total sales—the highest annual total ever achieved for watches by the global auction house. Every watch sale hosted at Christie’s salerooms in Dubai, Hong Kong, Geneva and New York achieved sell-through rates above 90 percent by value. The top watch of the year was a Patek Philippe Reference 1527 manufactured in 1943 that sold for a record $5.7 million at Christie’s Geneva (pictured). In fact, it was great year for Patek Philippe, as the top seven watches sold in 2010 and the top nine out of ten watches sold for the year by the auction house were from the Swiss luxury watch brand. Christie’s top four Patek watches sold for more than $1 million. “We have welcomed in a wealth of new collectors to this field in the past year, and witnessed an exponential growth in buyer participation from Asian countries, led primarily by mainland China and Hong Kong,” said Aurel Bacs, international head of Watches at Christie's. “At the same time, established collectors from the private, trade and institutional sectors in Europe and the U.S. continue to add great depth and strength to this category.”


TAG Heuer, Parsons, Name Watch Design Winners
TAG Heuer and Parsons The New School for Design today unveiled the winners of the “Art of Watchmaking,” a 10-week competition that charged eight teams of Parsons product design students with reinterpreting TAG Heuer's classic Monaco chronograph. Each member of the three teams will receive a monetary prize and a Tag Heuer timepiece. In addition, TAG Heuer has the potential to produce one of the first-place designs as a limited-edition piece. During the review, each of the student teams showcased three concepts, and discussed their inspiration, target consumer and design philosophy. Ideas ranged from a Monaco with a rotating case to designs inspired by the New York City transportation system. First-place honors went to the team of Yong Yi Lee, Yoav Menachem and Amit Ran, whose designs included numbers to appeal to collectors (top photo); second-place honors went to the team of Enrique Diaz Rato de Zabala, Michelle Organ and You Jin Sung, whose designs included a black ceramic timepiece with neon accents (second photo); and third-place honors went to the team of Yusuke Sekiguchi, Christopher Beatty and Helen Kim, whose designs included a piece with naturally grown crystals in its dial (third photo). Read more about the design competition here and here.

Ulysse Nardin Opens First U.S. Boutique, Announce Plans to Build U.S. Headquarters

Ulysse Nardin, opened its flagship boutique in the United States at the Boca Raton Town Center Mall on December 16 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration attended by more than with 400 people, including famed baseball pitcher Randy Johnson. The luxury watch brand partnered with Bobby Yampolsky of East Coast Jewelry to open its first boutique in the U.S. The nautical-inspired store has more than 80 of the brand’s timepieces, including three models from the limited edition Boutique line. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, Ulysse Nardin announced plans to open a 7,000 square foot U.S. headquarters in Boca Raton in the spring of 2011. This facility will be the company’s only repair center in the U.S. and will include up to 10 fully Swiss-trained watchmakers. The Swiss company manufacturers 20,000 watches per year, priced from $5,900 to $1 million.

Philip Stein is an Oprah Favorite

The Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Oprah Watch by Philip Stein was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show's recent episode of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.” It was third time the Miami, Fla.-based watchmaker and retailer was featured on the annual Favorite Things show. However, it is the first time the company designed a watch just for the show. The signature dual dial watch has an applied silver letter “O” celebrating the television star, philanthropist and businesswoman. Philip Stein designers carried the theme further with applied silver numbers “2” and “5” commemorating Oprah’s 25th anniversary. Limited quantities of the 25th Anniversary Oprah Watch, available in a diamond style with a total carat weight of more than one carat, and a non-diamond style, are being offered to the public through select retailers and online. and interchangeable straps. Each watch comes packaged in a custom designed box featuring the Oprah 25th Anniversary logo.

Breitling Opens First U.S. Boutique

Swiss luxury watch brand Breitling opened its first U.S. store in New York on East 57th Street. Breitling watches retail from $1,000 to $300,000, and 90 of the brand’s latest models will be available for purchase at the store.

Timepiece Tuesday: Christie’s, Antiquorum Auctions; IWI 'English' Watches; Mayors Opens Rolex Store

As I write, the Christie’s “Important Watch” auction in New York had just ended. It was the last auction of the year for the international auction house and judging from the early results, some people will be receiving some spectacular holiday presents.

The evening’s stunner was a limited-edition “Kanthara” diamond-set wristwatch from Piaget (above) that sold for $602,000, double its high estimate. The 32 mm wide watch has nickel-finish signed watch is literally covered in diamonds, including a dial set with baguette-cut diamonds, oval case enhanced by emerald-cut diamonds, diamond-set crown, 18k white gold Piaget bracelet and hidden clasp set with emerald-cut diamonds.

Other highlights include:

A Breguet (Reference 3857) limited-edition platinum minute-repeating tourbillon wristwatch sold for $434,500, well above the high estimate of $350,000. It was produced in 1997 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Abraham Louis Breguet, who invented the tourbillion, which counteract the effects of gravitational pull on timepieces.

 

Patek Philippe had seven of the top ten sales for the evening, according to early results. Among them was a stainless steel chronograph watch with Breguet numerals that sold for $386,500 (left), above the high estimate; an 18k gold perpetual calendar chronograph watch with phases of the moon sold for $314,500; and an 18k gold perpetual calendar chronograph that sold for $266,500. More to come.

Antiquorum Auction

On Dec. 8 Antiquorum held its final watch auction of the year, featuring a FP Journe set of six platinum watches with champagne dials that sold for $200,500 and a white gold “Double Tourbillon 30 Vision” watch (left) that sold for $160,000.

IWI M1

British Watches

There are quality watches made outside of Switzerland. A case-in-point is IWI, a new luxury sports watch brand headquartered in Lancashire, England. Calling itself a “truly English brand,” the company is headed by watchmaker Ian Walsh. Studying Classic Horology at Manchester and later working with Tag Heuer, Walsh said it was while working with vintage timepieces that he realized that he wanted to recreate classic designs. The IWI stainless steel watches pay homage to motorsport. The watches contain Swiss automatic movements and The IWI signature crown is situated at 12 o’clock. Walsh says the classic dials inspire the glory days of auto racing.

Mayors Opens Rolex Store

Just in time for Christmas, Mayors jewelers opened its first dedicated watch store in Orlando, Fla. Called “Rolex Presented by Mayors,” the new store is located in the Mall at Millenia. More than 300 luxury timepieces are on display in the 1,100-square-foot space. The store is Mayors' second retail location in the mall.

A Peek Inside Christie's Elizabeth Taylor Exhibition

Christie's recreates Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry room for the exhibition.

At noon Saturday, the general public will have its first opportunity to view the entire collection of Elizabeth Taylor that will go on auction at Christie’s New York headquarters beginning December 13.

Three outfits worn by Taylor during her Cleopatra days.

Parts of the collection of jewelry, couture, memorabilia, household items and art have been on a world tour. New York is the last stop on the tour prior to the four-day sale. In addition to the live auction, 950 pieces from the collection of more than 2,000 items will be made available in a separate online auction that begins today and will conclude on the same dates as the live auction. All lots will be offered without reserve.

Mike Todd diamond tiara

“All of the items on the online auction have an opening bid of $50,” said Erin McAndrew, head of Communications, Christie’s Americas, who led me through the exhibition Friday. "This allows everyone to participate.”

La Pérégrina -- The Legendary Pearl.

The exhibition ends December 12. This will be the last opportunity to see one of the greatest private collections of jewelry, memorabilia and fashion ever amassed. Tickets are still available and can only be purchased online on Christie’s website.

Cartier ruby and diamond suite and Van Cleef & Arpels ruby and diamond ring. The Cartier pieces were given to Taylor by Mike Todd and the 8.24-carat ruby and diamond ring was a gift from Richard Burton.

For those who have purchased their tickets to the exhibition at Christies Rockefeller Plaza headquarters here’s what to expect.

Wedding dress for first marriage to Richard Burton.

First of all, it’s the first time that Christie’s entire sale and exhibition space will be dedicated to an auction from a private collection. It’s a museum-quality exhibition.

Night of the Iguana brooch by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co.

The first portion of the space is a hallway dedicated to Taylor’s relationship with Andy Warhol. It includes a lithograph portrait of Taylor and a sketch of lips by the artist. Both were gifts for Taylor. Between them is a thank you note from Taylor to Warhol.

A collection of colorful jewelry pieces organized by Christie's.

On the other side of the passageway there’s a recreation of Taylor’s jewelry closet in her dressing room. Yes, she had a separate room for her jewelry. The original boxes for each piece of jewelry are situated on individual shelves. “Notice all the red boxes,” McAndrew said. “She loved Cartier.” In addition, several boxes were marked with the names of those who gave her the pieces.

A collection of Taylor's watches in a single display case.

Right before entering the main exhibition rooms there are three dresses that were worn by Taylor, two flank each end of the display and one is lifted from the ground with the mannequin’s arms extended. It’s quite a dramatic scene and leads to the first room which is filled with several of Taylor’s signature jewelry pieces.

The Taj Mahal Diamond, Circa 1627 -- 28 with gold and ruby chain by Cartier.

It includes La Peregrina, the pearl, ruby and diamond necklace centered with a 203-grain pear-shaped pearl discovered in the 16th Century as its centerpiece. Taylor and Al Durante of Cartier designed the piece. A collection of diamond and ruby jewelry, including necklace, earrings and bracelet set that was a gift from director Mike Todd, Taylor’s third husband. In the same case is an 8.24-carat ruby and diamond ring that was a Christmas gift from Richard Burton, Taylor’s fifth husband who she married twice. And there are signature sapphires and emerald pieces, many gifts from her husbands that were worn on special occasions, such as the diamond tiara, which she wore to the 1957 Academy Awards, where Todd’s film, Around the World in 80 Days, won for Best Picture.

A room in the exhibition is dedicated to Taylor's acting career, personal life and her humanitarian causes.

From there it became a blur of sparkle as jewelry dominates much of the exhibition. Bulgari, Boucheron, Cartier, JAR, Schlumberger, Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels and many more internationally renowned jewelry brands are well represented. It was clear from her collection that Taylor loved colored gems as much as she loved colorless diamonds.

Bob Dylan publicity poster with poem to Taylor.

There’s the 33-carat diamond Asscher Cut diamond ring that was a gift from Richard Burton. It was the ring she wore nearly everyday. The Vacheron Constantin watch and monkey necklace that were gifts from Michael Jackson are included in the exhibit. Then there’s the magnificent Taj Mahal diamond, which comes with a love story nearly four centuries old.

Taylor's handbags are exhibited in a replica of her accessories closet.

Of course, there’s more than jewelry. There’s memorabilia, such as bound copies of movie scripts, a collection of director’s chairs she used during her films and a book she wrote as a child, titled Nibbles and Me. One of the more unusual items is a publicity poster of Bob Dylan, inscribed what could only be described as a love poem to Taylor.

Couture outfits spanning more than 50 years from some of the world's most renowned fashion designers in a dedicated space.

There are her poster collections, furnishings, decorative accessories and a recreation of her accessories closet (yes, she had one of those, too) with shelves filled with designer handbags.

Then there are the outfits—from every major designer spanning more than 50 years of fashion. They are scattered at different areas of the two-story exhibition space but the bulk of her major couture items are located in a dedicated room on the second floor, exhibited in chronological order.

Taylor also had an impressive collection of important old master’s, impressionist and modern art paintings that includes works by Van Gogh, Piassaro and Rembrandt. These paintings while available to view at the exhibition will be sold at a separate auction at Christie’s London in February.

Near the end of the exhibition there’s a room dedicated to Taylor’s life as an actress, an icon and as a humanitarian. It should be noted that a portion of all proceeds from the auction, catalog and related sales will go toward the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

By any measure Elizabeth Taylor lived an extraordinary life and the exhibit is a statement on how she lived. The gifts she received and items she bought for herself were basic and extravagant. She was all American and a contemporary in the way she purchased. She loved things that were big and bold and she never seemed to have enough. However, she also had European and international taste in fashion and design. Her collection shows that when it came to style she was extremely knowledgeable, passionate and compulsive. This collection represents a life well spent. Christie’s presentation of the exhibit makes it seem as if her life’s work was complete.

It’s almost a shame that these items will soon be separated. 

Timepiece Tuesday: Antiques, Girl’s Luxury Watch, Special Editions, An Awards Preview and a Social Media Contest

Chinese Watch Collectors Have Appetite for Vintage Pieces

Is there anything regarding luxury that the Chinese don’t want? Each season, Christie’s presents a range of 19th-century timepieces made especially for the Chinese market. This year, at the auction house’s Dec. 2 auction of watches, five 19th-century timepieces made especially for the Chinese market are coming up for sale. One, a circa-1877 gold-and-enamel pocket watch depicting three angels, is estimated to sell for between HK$320,000 and HK$480,000 (pictured). In addition, in 2005, Asia overtook the U.S. as the biggest market for Patek Philippe. Collectors are buying both new and vintage models, but there is an increasing focus on older pieces, according to the Wall Street Journal blog, Scene Asia.

Antique Clock Auction

Clocks will be a major focus in the Skinner, Inc. annual auction of Science, Technology & Clocks on November 20 in its Marlborough, Mass., gallery. Among the timepieces on the block, is a very important regulator by the Bond Shop (pictured). The Regulator No. 396 is was one of three made; No. 394 was developed for the Harvard Observatory, No. 395 for an observatory in Liverpool, England, and No. 396 for the personal use of Bond in his chronometer shop. As the director of the Harvard Observatory, Bond was one of the first to work towards establishing standard time. It is estimated at $300,000 to $500,000. Other clock highlights include a Newport tall clock, c. 1725 by William Claggett of Newport, R.I., which is the earliest American clock being offered in the sale. The piece is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000. The sale also includes a number of Willard clocks.

Frederique Constant to Introduce Luxury Girl’s Watch

The U.K. trade publication, Professional Jeweller, has learned that Frederique Constant will introduce a girl’s luxury watch at BaselWorld. “The company’s global sales director, Ralph Simons, confirmed it with a nod of his head during an interview this week,” the publication wrote. Stay tuned.

Marvin Unveils Sébastien Loeb Collection

Swiss luxury watch brand Marvin has created a new limited edition line in partnership with its ambassador, World Rally champion Sébastien Loeb. Two exclusive chronographs have been developed with Loeb and they both carry his signature. Their design is the work of two creative watchmakers: Jean-François Ruchonnet, best known for the TAG Heuer Monaco V4 and the Cabestan, and Sébastien Perret, the Neuchâtel designer who has been associated with all recent Marvin collections. The new Loeb Special Edition has a 44 mm diameter steel case flexible red horns mounted on spring suspensions, buttons coated in black PVD that resemble gear change paddles, and counters designed like dashboard instruments. The collection is limited to 777 pieces, representing Loeb’s seven world championship titles.

Grand Prix d'Horlogerie Preview

The 2010 edition of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève will be November 18 at the Geneva Grand Théâtre. Ten timepieces have been shortlisted for each of the competition’s seven categories, including best ladies, men’s, design, jewelry, complicated, sports and the Petite Aiguille watch prize (the best timepiece under SFr5,000). There will also be four special awards, including the public prize, voted for by 5,000 participants. Brands shortlisted include Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, Ralph Lauren, Audemars Piguet, Piaget, Chopard, Chaumet, Graff, Harry Winston and Chanel. The Financial Times has written a preview of the prestigious event that can be viewed here (subscription required).

Baume & Mercier In Search of ‘Very Special Reporter’

Baume & Mercier has launched a contest appealing to its social media fans. The Swiss luxury watch brand has invited its 75,000 Facebook fans to upload videos explaining their love of the brand and why they would make ideal "Very Special Reporters" at the upcoming Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Jan. 17–21, the trade show for high-end watch manufacturers and buyers.

Flaming Yellow 32-Ct. Diamond Sells for $6.5 Million at Auction

A rare vivid yellow, 32.77-ct.diamond sold for more than $6.5 million at Christie’s New York Magnificent Jewels auction held Tuesday. The golden yellow hue of the pear-shaped gem is so intense and so deep that the Gemological Institute of America ranks it among the rarest of gemstones in its class.

The unmounted diamond, about the size of a guitar pick, was the top lot of Christie’s first major jewelry sale of the fall season. The auction fetched $46.6 million with 83 percent sold by lot and 93 percent by value.

“Despite recent volatility in the financial markets, the jewelry world continues to hold strong with active participation from top private collectors and members of the trade for superb gems and jewels,” said Rahul Kadakia, head of Jewelry at Christie’s New York. “At $201,000 per ct., the 32.77-ct. Vivid yellow diamond achieved a sensational price.”

Diamonds of all colors stole the show at Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza flagship, but there were some fine jewelry pieces that caught the attention of buyers. Top sellers include:

An oval-cut D color, potentially flawless diamond ring of 25.74 cts. by Graff sold for nearly $3.9 million.

 

A modified pear-shaped 3.21-cts., fancy vivid blue VS2 diamond sold for more than $2.7 million.

A rectangular-cut D color VS1 diamond ring of 20.43 cts., by Cartier, 1940, fetched $2.1 million.

A pear-shaped fancy purplish pink internally flawless diamond ring, of 8.20 cts., by Tiffany & Co. sold for more than $2 million, exceeding auction estimates.

 

A diamond line necklace of fifty-seven graduated pear-shaped D-color diamonds, weighing a total of 123.22 cts.sold for more than $1.4 million, shattering its estimate of $600,000 - $800,000. 

An 11.05-ct., pear-shaped D color, potentially internally flawless diamond fetched more than $1.3 million. 

An 11.11-ct., cushion-cut D color, potentially internally flawless diamond sold for nearly $1.4 million, exceeding auction estimates.

A natural pearl and diamond necklace of forty-nine graduated natural pearls sold for more than $1 million.

An Art Deco diamond and multi-gem "Tutti Frutti" bracelet, by Cartier, circa 1930, topped estimates, selling for $962,500.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Legendary Jewels May Fetch More Than $30M

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond

Elizabeth Taylor amassed one of the greatest private jewelry collections in the world during her long, colorful life. A total of 269 of her personal jewels are going on sale on December 13 and 14 as part of the four-day “Collection of Elizabeth Taylor” auction at Christie’s New York.

On December 13, the international auction house will present 80 of Taylor’s most iconic jewels in a special evening sale, followed by 189 additional jewels in two sale sessions on December 14. The jewels include Taylor’s most iconic diamonds, gemstones, historic jewels, and one-of-a-kind creations, as well as personal mementos and beloved gifts. Christie’s estimates this collection of storied jewels will bring in more than $30 million.

“This is without a doubt the greatest private collection of jewelry ever assembled in one place,”
said Marc Porter, chairman and president of Christie's Americas.

“Elizabeth Taylor’s passion for jewelry was well known, but it is her depth of knowledge about fine jewelry that truly impresses,” added François Curiel, international jewelry director and president of Christie's Asia. “From the first time I met her in 1998, it was clear that she possessed an expert’s eye for craftsmanship, rarity, quality and history.

The collection includes examples from Bulgari, Boucheron, Cartier, JAR, Schlumberger, Tiffany and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Select highlights from the Elizabeth Taylor’s collection of magnificent jewels will go on a three-month global tour this month, starting with a public exhibition at GUM on Moscow’s Red Square on September 15, followed by public exhibitions of collection highlights in London, Los Angeles, Dubai, Geneva, Paris and Hong Kong. In December, the tour will culminate in a special ten-day exhibition of the complete collection at Christie’s New York.

The complete catalogs of the Evening and Day sale sessions of The Legendary Jewels will be available for purchase in October, Christies said. Further details of Elizabeth Taylor’s collections of fashion and accessories, fine and decorative arts, film memorabilia, and other items will be announced in the coming weeks.

Jewels that will be on sale include:

The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond
The 33.19-ct., D color, potentially internally flawless diamond (top photo) mounted on a ring was a gift from Richard Burton on May 16, 1968. The most iconic of her cherished white diamonds, this spectacular stone was a constant in Elizabeth Taylor’s life and became the ring she wore virtually every day. The Type IIa diamond was purchased at auction for $300,000 in 1968 as the Krupp diamond. Christie’s and the trustees of her estate have renamed it The Elizabeth Taylor Diamond to pay homage to its owner.
The auction estimate is $2.5 million to $3.5 million.


La Pérégrina – The Legendary Pearl
This remarkable pearl of 203 grains in size—equivalent to 55 cts.—ranks as one of the most important historic pearls in the world. Discovered in the early 1500s in the Gulf of Panama, the pear-shaped pearl became part of the crown jewels of Spain. Prince Philip II of Spain gave it as a wedding gift to his wife, Mary Tudor of England, and it later passed on to the Spanish queens Margarita and Isabel, who proudly wore the pearl in 17th century portraits painted by Velázquez himself. Richard Burton famously purchased the pearl for Elizabeth Taylor at auction in 1969 for $37,000, after successfully outbidding a member of the Spanish Royal family. Burton gave the pearl to Taylor on Jan. 23, 1969. Inspired by a 16th century portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, Taylor commissioned Cartier to design a new mount of matched natural pearls and rubies. It was designed by Taylor with Al Durante of Cartier to offset what she called “the most perfect pearl in the world.”
Estimate: $2 million to $3 million

The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara
An Antique Diamond Tiara, circa 1880
As noted in her 2002 book My Love Affair With Jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor’s husband theater and film producer Mike Todd presented her with this antique diamond tiara, circa. 1880, saying, “You are my queen.” She wore it to the Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 1957, where Todd’s film Around the World in 80 Days won for Best Picture.
Estimate: $60,000- $80,000

The Ping Pong Diamond Rings
Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor both loved Ping-Pong. At home in Gstaad on one occasion, Burton promised Taylor a diamond if she could win 10 points against him. She did, and to keep his end of the bargain he gave her three small diamond rings, dubbed “The Ping Pong Diamonds.”
Estimate: $5,000-7,000

BVLGARI Emerald and Diamond Suite
Collected over the course of many repeat trips to the Bulgari boutique on the Via Condotti in Rome (1962 – 1967), the jewels that make up this suite were keepsakes from the filming of Cleopatra.
Necklace estimate: $1million – $1.5 million
Pendant estimate: $500,000 – $700,000
Ring estimate: $600,000 - $800,000
Bracelet estimate: $300,000 – $500,000
Earrings estimate: $150,000- $200,000

Cartier Ruby and Diamond Suite
Gift from Mike Todd, August 1957
During her marriage to producer Mike Todd, Elizabeth Taylor was swimming laps in the pool at their villa in St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in 1957 when he surprised her with a trio of Cartier boxes containing this suite of ruby jewels.
Necklace Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000
Bracelet Estimate: $150,000 – $200,000
Earrings Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000

Richard Burton Ruby and Diamond Ring
The 8.24-carat ring by Van Cleef & Arpels was a gift from Richard Burton, given to Taylor at Christmas, 1968.
Estimate: $1 million – $1.5 million

The BVLGARI Sapphire Sautoir
Set with a sugarloaf cabochon sapphire of 52.72 carats, this Art Deco style sautoir from Bulgari was a gift from Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor’s 40th birthday in 1972. She later added the ring to make it a set.
Sapphire and Diamond Sautoir estimate: $600,000 to $800,000.

JAR Sapphire ‘Ball’ Ear Clips
Purchased in Paris, December 2001
Taylor had her finger on the pulse of contemporary jewelry design. This set of sapphires ear clips was custom-designed by the celebrated jewelry designer Joel Arthur Rosenthal (known by his initials JAR) who maintains a small, appointment-only boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris. For these special earrings, JAR incorporated varying shades of sapphires to evoke the elusive hue of her eyes. It was purchased in December 2001.
Estimate: $100,000 – $150,000

The Prince of Wales Brooch, circa 1935
Formerly owned by the Duchess of Windsor, this sparkling diamond pin in the form of the three feathers from the royal insignia of the Prince of Wales was originally a gift from the Duke to the Duchess. As an acquaintance of the royal couple, Taylor had admired the brooch whenever she saw the Duchess wearing it, but turned down the latter’s generous offer to let her make a copy of it. Years later, after the Duchess died and her estate was brought to auction, Taylor purchased it at auction in April, 1987.
Estimate: $400,000 – 600,000

The Taj Mahal Diamond, Circa 1627 – 28 with Gold and Ruby Chain by Cartier
Inscribed with the name Nur Jahan, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahangir, this heart-shaped diamond is believed to have been a gift from the ruler to his son, who became the great emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666). At the age of 35, it is believed that the young prince presented the diamond to his favorite and most beloved wife, Mumtaz-i-Mahal. The emperor’s grief at her death just four years later was legendary – in her memory he commissioned the majestic Taj Mahal . Richard Burton was captivated by the history and significance of this special diamond, and gave it to Elizabeth in 1972 for her 40th birthday.
Estimate: $300,000 – $500,000

Night of the Iguana Brooch by Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co.
More catfish in form than iguana, the serpentine jewel was fashioned of diamonds and gold, with emerald and sapphire accents. It was a gift from Richard Burton to Taylor on August 11, 1964, to wear on the premiere of his film, “The Night of the Iguana.”
Estimate: $200,000 – $300,000

The Edith Head Necklace
The gold necklace with ivory opera passes, circa 18th and 19th centuries, was a gift to Taylor from the Estate of Edith Head, a costume designer and very close friend of Taylor.
Estimate: $1,500 – $2,000

Charm Bracelet
This gold bracelet of 20 charms includes an engraved clapperboard commemorating “The Taming of the Shrew,” a gold jeweler’s loupe inscribed with Elizabeth’s name, and a gold sphere locket that opens to reveal four medallions—each one engraved with the names and birth dates of each of her four children.
Estimate: $25,000 – $35,000

The Burton Wedding Bands
These diamond-set wedding bands were given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton upon their marriages in 1964 in Montreal and in 1975, on the occasion of their second marriage in Botswana.
Estimate: $6,000 – 8,000

The ‘Granny’ Suite Necklace
To mark the birth of her first grandchild in 1971 at the age of 39, Richard Burton gave Elizabeth Taylor this lion-themed necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels. It’s part of set with matching ear pendants (not shown) that will also be included in the auction.
Necklace estimate: $120,000 – $180,000

The ‘Cleopatra’ Mirror
The turquoise and gold Egyptian revival motif mirror was created by Bulgari in 1962 at the time the epic film Cleopatra, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, was finishing production in Rome.
Estimate: $8,000- $12,000