Richard Mille RM38 Tourbillon Prototype Yohan Blake, Olympics. Estimate: $1 million-$1.5 million
Sotheby’s is hosting the first international auction in Saudi Arabia on February 8. The two-part evening sale, titled “Origins,” will comprise fine art by Saudi artists alongside the leading names in international art history, digital art, sports memorabilia and handbags.
The estimate for the auction of 119 lots being held in Diriyah is $16 - $22 million, with cryptocurrencies being accepted for all lots.
Many of the highlights in the Origins sale include luxury watches and jewels by Richard Mille, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Harry Winston, Tiffany, David Webb and others.
One of the top lots in the sale is a Richard Mille RM038 prototype “Yohan Blake” timepiece with an estimate of $1 million - $1.5 million.
Yohan Blake is a famed Jamaican sprinter who came in second to Usain Bolt in the 100- and 200-meter races at London Olympic Games in 2012. He did win gold as part of the Jamaican team in the 4 x 100 relay. This prototype watch was made especially for Blake to test during the London Olympic.
It is a unique spin-off from the RM038 series. The watch weighs just 44 grams as the tonneau-shaped case is crafted of WE54, a lightweight alloy of 89% magnesium and 6% yttrium (a rare-earth metal). This material can withstand temperatures of up to 300ºC (572ºF) and has the durability and strength to take on the shocks associated with world class runners. The case was then coated with an electro-plasma oxidation treatment to improve the durability and scratch resistance of this alloy.
The timepiece is powered by the skeletonized caliber RM038 mechanical movement crafted almost entirely of lightweight and durable grade 5 titanium. Like all RM038s, it features a tourbillon at 6 o’clock. The watch’s green, yellow, and white color scheme replicates the Jamaican flag, Blake’s native home.
The RM038 is one of 11 timepieces being offered in the auction. They include:
Rolex Reference 6264 Daytona ‘Paul Newman Musketeer.' Estimate: $160,000 - $320,000
A Rolex reference 6264 Daytona “Paul Newman Musketeer” 37mm stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and Musketeer dial, Circa 1970. Its estimate is $160,000 - $320,000.
A Patek Philippe reference 5070P-001 42mm single-sealed platinum chronograph, circa 2008. Its estimate is $150,000 - $200,000.
A unique commissioned Cartier Crash in yellow gold, circa 2007. Estimate $130,000-$260,000
A unique commissioned Cartier Crash yellow gold watch, circa 2007, with an estimate of $130,000 – 260,000. Original Crash models were produced in small quantities, the auction house said. Following that, the Crash would be produced in very limited quantities in 1991, 2019. and 2022. This Cartier Crash was a commissioned piece for a “top private client.”
The top lot among jewels is a pair of earrings by Graff featuring pear-shaped diamonds weighing 9.39 and 8.46 carats, suspended from lines of small round diamonds. The 9.39-carat diamond is D color and VVS1 clarity while the 8.46-carat diamond is D color and internally flawless.
Other significant jewels in the sale include:
Sapphire and diamond Ring with an estimate of $300,000- $400,000
A ring centered with a 19.79-carat unheated Burmese emerald-cut sapphire flanked by pairs of trapezoid- and bullet-cut diamonds an estimate of $300,000 - $400,000.
A Cartier Art Deco bracelet with a geometric design of openwork panels featuring four cushion-cut sapphires, further set with old European-, single-cut and baguette diamonds, circa 1927. The largest sapphire is of Ceylon origin, with no indications of heating, and the three remaining sapphires are of Burmese origin, with no indications of heating. Its estimate is $275,000 - $325,000.
A necklace featuring 12 oval-, cushion- and heart-shaped sapphires weighing a total of 80.11 carats, decorated with pear-, marquise-shaped and round diamonds. The clasp set with a rose-cut diamond. Matching earrings are set with oval-shaped sapphires weighing 7.86 and 6.51 carats accented by similarly cut diamonds. Its estimate is $250,000 - $350,000.
Harry Winston ruby, turquoise and diamond earclips. Estimate: $35,000-$55,000
Other important signed jewels include a Bulgari “Trombino” ring featuring a sapphire weighing 33 to 35 carats (estimate: $200,000 - $300,000); Harry Winston ruby, turquoise and diamond earclips (estimate: $35,000 – $55,000); and a ruby and diamond Bracelet, circa 1972, attributed to Harry Winston (estimate: $210,000 – $300,000).
Jewels and watches are just part of the diverse offerings in the auction, which consists of paintings, sculptures and art objects spanning western civilization by Banksy, KAWS, Damien Hurst, Fernando Botero, René Magritte, Pablo Picasso, Henri Martin, Paul Delvaux, Wassily Kandinsky, Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder, Damien Hirst, George Condo and Nicholas Party.
Pioneering Arab artists such as Louay Kayyali, Samia Halaby, Mohammad Al Saleem, Abdulhalim Radwi are featured prominently in the sale as well.
Finally, the sale includes a collection of rare Hermès bags, digital art and sports memorabilia.
Items of Origins will be showcased in a free exhibition in Diriyah’s Bujairi Terrace February 1 – 8, timed with “Diriyah Season,” the annual cultural heritage in Diriyah.
