Monaco Auction Week, held from July 7th to 9th at the Hôtel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo, cemented the Principality’s reputation as a premier destination for collectors of art, haute horology, and rare jewelry. Organized by the French auction house Artcurial, the event drew connoisseurs from around the globe, achieving total sales of €9,383,767 ($10,994,316) including fees.
Highlights in haute horology
In the horology category, a highly sought-after 1967 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ‘Paul Newman’ model fetched €249,280, falling within its estimated range of €200,000 to €400,000. The buyer was from France. Meanwhile, a Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (Ref. 3970, circa 2000) reached a price of €154,816, purchased by a European collector. Total watch sales exceeded €1.19 million.
Other notable timepieces included a Patek Philippe Nautilus Jumbo, which sold for €111,520, and an Audemars Piguet Edward Piguet Minute Repeater, acquired by an American collector for €44,608.
Auction peak: Contemporary sculptures
One of the week’s most successful categories was contemporary sculpture, which collectively brought in over €4 million. Manolo Valdés’s Ariela – a striking aluminum sculpture from 2011 – sold for €1,104,400, marking the highest price achieved during the week. Claude Lalanne’s Caroline enceinte (1969–1979) followed, realizing €734,720, while Valdés’s Murano Head attracted €458,440. The sculptures were showcased in Monaco’s gardens, providing an impressive backdrop for these grand works.
Impressive sales of jewelry and Hermès bags
The jewelry segment also attracted strong bidding, reaching total sales of €3.53 million. A highlight was a Van Cleef & Arpels Art Deco platinum bracelet with emeralds and diamonds, which achieved €249,280. A 22.97-carat diamond solitaire ring reached €196,800, and a Mauboussin platinum ring with a 6.10-carat center stone brought in €118,080.
Hermès bags, often a crowd favorite, also garnered interest, with a 2022 Kelly Retourné 25 Colormatic selling for €17,712, while various 2024 Birkin models achieved prices between €12,000 and €15,000.
