Fellows’ Watches auction breaks house record

Fellows’ Watches auction has broken a house record for the number of bidders at one of their timed auctions. The sale, ending on Monday 20^th April, had a total of 1,150 registrants on Fellows’ platform alone and over 400 more on The-Saleroom.com. 1,600 is the most registrants ever signed up for a timed-auction with Fellows, way-surpassing the 716 registrants who signed up to their Jewellery auction on Thursday 16^th April. The Watches auction, showcasing 377 lots, ran for a total of seven and a half hours, from 11am – 6:30pm.

The in-demand sale was full of stunning watches from a variety of brands including Tag Heuer, Rolex, and Omega. The auction had an 87% sell-rate and showcased the strong demand for elegant timepieces. Many watches, most notably from Rolex and Omega, exceeded their auction estimates and they often received 20-50 bids each. An 18ct yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date watch sold for £13,079 (including fees) against an estimate of £4,500 – £5,500. Furthermore, a gentleman’s stainless steel Speedmaster chronograph by Omega sold for £4,657 (including fees) against an estimate of £1,200 – £1,800.

Steven Yambo, Senior Watch Specialist at Fellows Auctioneers, said: “We received record registrants in our Watches sale and I am thrilled there is still a demand for all kinds of timepieces. So many items flew above their estimates and I enjoyed watching people bid on the auction even down to the wire. Our watch auctions at Fellows continue to go from strength-to-strength and even with the way the world is at the moment people still seem to be taking part in our auctions.”

Fellows Auctioneers currently have an auction of Online Jewellery (ending 30^th April), via their website and is actively seeking consignments for the full calendar of auctions in Spring/Summer 2020.

Highlights from Fellows’ Watches Sale which ended on Monday 20^th April (prices are inclusive of all fees):

• Lot 9 – BLANCPAIN – a gentleman’s 18ct yellow gold Villeret chronograph wrist watch. Estimate: £1,200 – £1,800. Price realised: £3,381.40

• Lot 64 – CARTIER – a mid-size bi-metal Ballon Bleu bracelet watch. Estimate: £2,500 – £3,000. Price realised: £5,295.40

• Lot 98 – FRANCK MULLER – a lady’s 18ct white gold Cintree Curvex wrist watch. Estimate: £2,000 – £3,000. Price realised: £4,721.20

• Lot 178 – OMEGA – a gentleman’s stainless steel Speedmaster chronograph bracelet watch. Estimate: £1,200 – £1,800. Price realised: £4,657.40

• Lot 292 – ROLEX – a gentleman’s 18ct yellow gold Oyster Perpetual Day-Date bracelet watch. Estimate: £4,500 – £5,500. Price realised: £13,079.00