Sotheby’s Fall Public sale Spotlights Luxurious Choices Spanning Jewelry, Luggage, Watches, Wines and Whiskies

Rare and coveted collectables from the auction house’s luxury department will go under the hammer in Hong Kong in October.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary in Asia, Sotheby’s Hong Kong has scheduled a series of live and online auctions from October 2-9, putting under the hammer, an extraordinary array of luxury items ranging from jewellery and watches to handbags and wines and spirits at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai.

Headlining the event is a 11.28-carat radiant-cut, fancy-vivid blue diamond, called the Infinite Blue which originated from the legendary Cullinan mine. Fancy vivid blue is the highest possible colour grading that is awarded to just one per cent of blue diamonds. According to the Gemological Institute of America, the odds of finding a blue diamond are extremely rare. Sotheby’s expects to fetch up to USD37 million for this exceptional stone.

Another precious gem making its appearance is the ‘Jadeite Tianchi,’ an exquisite jadeite and diamond set of necklace and earrings featuring eight impeccable jadeite cabochons that are consistent in texture, colour, and translucency throughout – a quality that makes this jewellery so extraordinary.

Those looking for a big statement ring should take note of the ‘Red Promise.’ The size six ring is set with a ‘pigeon blood red’ oval ruby of outstanding purity and colour from Burma weighing 5.21 carats and surrounded by oval and marquise-shaped diamonds, mounted in 18K white and yellow gold.

Cartier’s enduring Art Deco ‘Tutti Frutti’ gem set, diamond and enamel bracelet is also up for grabs. The flexible openwork foliate band, approximately 175mm long, set with carved sapphires, rubies and emeralds is much coveted by Cartier fans.

Another Cartier favourite that is also on the list is the ‘Amapa Panthère’ rubellite gem-set and diamond bangle wristwatch. This quartz movement timepiece features a pavé-set brilliant-cut diamond panther embracing a cabochon rubellite weighing 77.48 carats.

Those who have been eyeing works from iconic and celebrated high jeweller Cindy Chao can now bid for a diamond ring and a coloured diamond brooch from her famed ‘Four Seasons Collection’.

Hermès aficionados can now vie for a limited-edition sterling silver Kellymorphose Sac Bijou Kelly Argent, created by Pierre Hardy when he was the creative director of the French luxury brand. Hardy reinterpreted and deconstructed elements of the iconic Kelly bag, crafting them into a stunning micro handbag that can also be worn as a piece of jewellery.

Another sought-after Hermes item is the Malachite Matte Alligator and Black Swift HSS Quelle Idole Kelly Doll gold hardware bag. The Quelle Idole bag is Hermes’s most whimsical and creative bag that shows off the brand’s renowned meticulous craftsmanship.

For watch aficionados, news grabbing pieces will also be up for auction. These include the RM 52-05 timepiece which Richard Mille, the cult luxury watchmaker created in 2019 in collaboration with Pharrell Williams, the acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and fashion designer. Limited to only 30 pieces, the RM 52-05 is a bold and artistic creation that reflects Williams’ creative vision.

Devotees of Patek Philippe, the undisputed maestro of horology, will be delighted to know that the Patek Philippe reference 5078, which went into production in 2005, is up for sale. Originally introduced with a white enamel dial, this watch showcases a black lacquered dial, which was launched in 2008.

Another rare timepiece up for bids comes from Vacheron Constantin. In 1979, the Swiss watchmaker introduced the Kallista which means “the most beautiful” in Greek. The watch was the most expensive at that time, prized at USD5 million. Since then, the Kallista has inspired a spin-off series of limited-edition diamond timepieces. The iteration that Sotheby’s is putting up for auction is the King Kalla, set with more than 180 emerald-cut diamonds. As its name suggests, it is a watch fit for a king.

For wine and whiskey connoisseurs, Sotheby’s presents an exciting line-up of rare vintages from the world’s greatest estates in France and beyond. More than HK$100m of the world’s rarest and most sought-after wines and spirits will be offered across three days from October 2-4. These include the Towering DRC & Iconic Bordeaux and The Impeccable Burgundy Collection Part II whilst highly sought-after and incredibly hard to find in the open market whiskies from more than 50 different distilleries and 30 independent bottlers are listed.  A particular highlight is a 30-year-old Hakushu whiskey, one of the earliest vintages from the third-generation Japanese distillery that was established in 1988.