Fortuna Exchange: February Sale Highlights

NEW YORK, NY— Fortuna Exchange: February Sale was a strong start to a new monthly auction series that Fortuna introduced in 2019, offering collectors a broad range of fine jewelry and watches from celebrated makers across all eras. The Fortuna Exchange was created to provide our sellers greater opportunities per year to sell their assets on a global platform, without the constraints or limitations of consigning their pieces to seasonal sales that are few and far between.

With the addition of regular monthly auctions, alongside our larger signature sales that occur biannually, we are excited to offer our clients a year that is overflowing with rare and exciting fine jewelry and watch offerings.

Estate and Signed Jewelry Lead the Sale

In fine jewelry highlights, signed jewelry performed very strongly—achieving a total sell-through rate by value of 85.4%. In particular, the cover lot, a very fine Cartier 6.69ct Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring, prompted a roar of competitive bidding. The property of a New York lady, the finely crafted ring achieved a final price of $65,625, exceeding a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-$50,000. All in all, jewelry by Cartier and Tiffany & Co. drew the attention of bidders across the globe, achieving sell-through rates by value of 81.5% and 84.6% respectively.

A Cartier Unheated Burmese 6.69ct Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring. Achieved $65,625 at auction, against a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-$50,000.

As a whole, estate pieces also performed very well and demonstrated a sell-through rate by value of nearly 88%. A Platinum 2.70ct Diamond Ring Set, property of a New York gentleman, achieved $18,750 at auction, surpassing a pre-sale estimate of $12,000-$15,000. Similarly, a Coral Onyx and Diamond Sautoir Tassel Necklace that came from a Florida lady and an important collector, flew past its starting bid of $4,000 and achieved $12,500 at auction—much to the surprise of the live audience on the auction floor.

A Coral Onyx and Diamond Sautoir Tassel Necklace. Achieved $12,500 at auction, against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$10,000.

Strong Competition for Vintage Fine Watches

Fortuna Exchange: February Sale also offered a well-rounded selection of vintage watches. Of the timepieces that stood out, a circa 1978 Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 in Steel, property of a lady, was offered in pristine condition for its age. A fine example of the iconic dive watch, it sold for $10,625 against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$9,000. A circa 1958 Longines All Guard 30CH Chronograph in 18K Gold was also exceptionally popular. This manually wound timepiece achieved $8,750 at auction, soaring past a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$6,000.

A circa 1978 Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 in Steel. Achieved $10,625, against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$9,000.

Despite the shrinking market for ladies’ watches in recent years, Fortuna Exchange: February Sale displayed a relatively strong interest amongst buyers in that category. In particular, a Piaget Ultra Thin Turquoise and Diamond Watch in 18K White Gold, property of a lady, achieved $12,500 at auction, over three times the high-estimate of $4,000. In other ladies’ timepieces, a stunningly unique DeLaneau Diamond and Turquoise Watch, which came through a Pennsylvanian collector, sold for $8,750 against a pre-sale estimate of $2,800-$3,500.

A circa 1958 Longines All Guard 30CH Chronograph in 18K Gold. Achieved $8,750 at auction, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$6,000.

To download a PDF with full sale results, please click here.

Please note: All prices achieved include buyer’s premiums.