Recent Sales from Sotheby’s and Christie’s

Watches

Certain brands consistently beat the recession and have a longer homerun batting average than even the Yankees. “Classic well-made products that are not necessarily a slave to fashion will transcend trends,” notes Tania Edwards, Founding Partner of The Brandsmiths Agency. “In the luxury market, consumers can feel confident buying from Patek Philipe, Rolex and Cartier—companies that make consistently high quality products that last.”

In regards to the more affordable collector wristwatch market, vintage watches from the 1950’s to 1980’s are experiencing an uptick in popularity from a surprising group—20 and 30 year olds. “It is noteworthy because it is a generation that primarily relies on their cell phones to tell the time,” notes expert watch dealer James Lamdin, founder of analog/shift. “Vintage timepieces represent a fashionable connection to the past, and older sports and diving watches from brands such as Rolex, Heuer, and Omega in particular are continually desirable as accessories to savvy consumers that seek out small-batch, genuine, hand made goods to complement their lifestyle.”

	Antiquorum Geneva Rolex “Paul Newman “ Daytona in Yellow Gold Sold: $882,000
	Christie’s New York Rolex Triple Calendar Oyster Chronograph in Steel Sold: $638,500
	Christie’s Geneva Patek Philippe Chronometer in Platinum for J.B. Champion Sold: $3,992,858
	Christie’s Geneva From the Collection of Eric Clapton Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar in Platinum Sold: $3,637,844
No Image	Sotheby’s New York From the Collection of Henry Graves, Jr., Patek Philippe Yellow Gold Minute Repeating Wristwatch Sold: $2,994,500

 

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Paintings​

Lee Drexler, author of Fabulous Finds and owner of Bedford-based Esquire Appraisals is like a Sherlock Holmes in finding value in people’s homes, recently uncovered a painting by Angel Botello for a client. Drexler presented her client with two choices: Allow a major auction house to sell it for approximately $15,000 to $20,000 (including a 20- to 25-percent sale fee), or sell the painting to the Botello Gallery in Puerto Rico. The gallery bought it directly from her for $18,000.

A caveat about buying paintings: Drexler recommends purchasing from established auction houses because floating auctions held at schools or churches—and even Ebay—are not authenticated. The work of artists such as Chagall, Picasso, Salvador Dali, Joan Miró, and Alexander Calder are often prime targets for fakes.

	Sotheby’s New York Amedeo Modigliani L’Amazone Estimate: $20M – $30M Sold: $25,925,000
	Georges Braque Paysage à La Ciotat Estimate: $10M – $15M Sold: $15,845,000
	Christie’s New York Chaïm Soutine, Le Petit Pâtissier Sold: $18,043,750
No Image	Marc Chagall Les Trois Acrobats Sold: $13,003,750
No Image	Egon Schiele Selbstbildnis mit Modell Sold: $11,323,750

Jewelry

Decorative Arts

	Sotheby’s New York ‘Ding’ Bowl, Northern Song Dynasty Estimate: $200,000 to $300,000 Sold: $2,225,000
	Christie’s New York Diego Giacometti bronze Torsade table Estimate: $320,000 Sold: $496,500
	Alberto Giacometti Tete de femme standard lamp Estimate: $300,000 Sold: $304,000
	Francois-Xavier Lalanne Mouton De Pierre Estimate: $150,000-250,000 Sold: $267,750

â–º For more Jewelry, Fine Art and Decorative Art Appraisals from Westchester Auction Experts, click here.