For three days, last July 22nd to July 24th, to the masterful rhythm of François Tajan’s gavel, Artcurial disbursed over 1,000 lots of collector watches, jewelry, and Hermès Vintage bags. This special rendezvous in Monaco has affirmed its status, year after year, as one of the most anticipated annual sales events. The 2014 edition allowed the auction house to score four records as well as several remarkable prizes. Buyers from outside of France were particularly enthusiastic this year: 35 nationalities were represented, collectively responsible for 75% of sales.
Certain departments saw a remarkable progression, like the Hermès Vintage sale that drew a 25% increase in Asian bidders compared to 2013, while watches saw a progression of 66% in buyers from Asia along with 33% from the Middle East. These statistics point to the following conclusion: iconic Western luxury pieces are polarizing, with a renewed vigor, the desires of rich non-European buyers.
The auctions that started on July 22nd were crowned by a double record: the record for a Rolex watch sold at auction in France, and the world record for a Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Panda Tropical watch, with the lot going for a tall sum of 336,000€. Two days later, on Thursday morning, the Hermès Vintage sale brought together a crowd of international enthusiasts to dole out 85 lots. From Asia, the Americas, Russia, and Europe, the buyers were numerous both in the auction hall and on the telephone line. Two lots particularly piqued buyers’ attention: a crocodile leather and white gold Kelly bag adorned with diamonds went for 76,200€, while a Kelly bag screenprinted by Grace Kelly, a unique piece, sold for 73,700€ to a French collector. A beautiful homage to Monaco for this bag that was originally given as a gift to Princess Stephanie.
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