Collectable watches in Cambridge sale

A series of highly collectable watches will lead the Cambridge auction house Cheffins’ summer Jewellery, Silver & Watches Sale on August 17.

Among the 58 lots of watches and consigned from private collections from across the country, are 13 Rolex models, including a matching his and hers steel and Everose ‘Yachtmaster’. In addition, there is a steel and gold ‘Submariner’ and a steel ‘Explorer II’ as well as the much-coveted steel and everose ‘GMT Master II’ ‘Rootbeer’.

Also among the watches is an original Omega Speedmaster ‘Pre moon Ed White‘ from 1967 with its original box and papers which has an estimate of £6,000-£8,000, and a rare and collectable mid-19th century 18ct gold pocket watch by Arnold and Dent which is set to sell for £1,000-£2,000.

The jewellery section also sees 163 lots go under the hammer, with a good selection of both antique and modern pieces. One of the highlights is a late 20th-century solitaire diamond ring, which is set to sell for £8,000-£10,000, and this is followed by a pair of emerald and diamond ear clips which have an estimate of £5,000-£7,000. Some of the earlier pieces include an early 18th-century diamond set mourning ring, which has an estimate of £2,000-£4,000 and a Victorian insect brooch which is set to make between £3,000 and £5,000.

A selection of silver objets mainly from the famous silversmithing company of Sampson Mordan and all with owl themes, form part of the objets de vertu section of the sale, along with an 18ct gold toothpick box and an 18ct gold snuff box, both by Alexander Strachan, while the silver section sees an enormous 171-piece set of German silver cutlery and flatware, followed by a 146-piece set of French silver cutlery. In addition, there is a set of 12 dinner plates by esteemed maker John Samuel Hunt, and from a private collection comes 16 pieces of silverware from the famous Arts & Crafts silversmith, A.E Jones along with examples from Liberty & Co. and Tiffany.

Steven Collins, Head of Jewellery, Silver & Watches at Cheffins commented: “This sale has yielded some real treasures from private collections from across the country. A series of collectable Rolexes and examples from other topflight watch makers, most of which are being offered in pristine condition with original boxes and paperwork, will be set to draw in watch enthusiasts and the ever-popular jewellery section will undoubtedly generate much interest from both private collectors and the trade. The silver and objets de vertu sections always offer something special, and the collection of Sampson Mordan pieces in particular will be set to generate excitement with specialist collectors.”