Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, the Midwest’s leading fine art auction house, will present to collectors and connoisseurs its annual winter sale of Fine Jewelry and Timepieces on December 6 and 7. More than 650 lots valued at nearly $1.5 million will be sold during the two day sale.

A session of 82 wrist and pocketwatches, one of the finest selections ever offered by the house, leads the auction on December 6. Rolex collectors will appreciate a superb group highlighted by a platinum Presidential wristwatch with a platinum dial, replete with diamond bezel and numeral demarcations weighing approximately four carats total. The watch is expected to sell for $20,000 to $30,000.

A late 20th century 18 karat white gold Pagoda wristwatch by Patek Philippe, part of a limited edition of 250, is in pristine condition, having never been worn and in sealed packaging. It has a matte rose dial, silvered Roman numerals, white gold feuille hands, a subdial for seconds, flared rectangular case, and is estimated at $30,000 to $50,000.

Also included are fine examples manufactured in the early 20th century through 21st century by A. Lange & Söhne, Ulysse Nardin, Roger Dubuis, Vacheron Constantin, Daniel Roth, F.P. Journe, Audemars Piguet, and others. The session’s star lot, an 18 karat yellow gold tourbillon by Breguet, is expected to sell for $40,000 to $60,000. It features a matte guilloche dial, blued steel moon-style hands, and an exposed tourbillon with blued steel second indication.

Staff Gemologist Alexander Eblen says, “Comprised of the most storied names in horology, this selection has been assembled from the private collections of several enthusiasts. A number of the world’s most sought after watches are in absolutely pristine condition, having belonged to a collector who preferred to admire rather than wear them regularly.” The watch session also represents a cross section of rarer features. “This grouping emcompasses several of the most captivating complications, from a tourbillon to an hour striker, that astute collectors are hungry for,” Eblen says.

Property following the timepieces session, from numerous private collections and prominent estates, includes both signed and unsigned antique, period, and vintage jewelry, cultured and natural pearls and colored jewels. Three exceptional platinum, gemstone and diamond rings will be offered: one with a Burmese ruby weighing 3.07 carats ($10,000 to $15,000), one with a 6.01 carat cushion cut sapphire ($15,000 to $20,000) and one with a step-cut emerald weighing 3.71 carats ($10,000 to $15,000).  

Other highlights include a platinum and emerald cut ring with 5.24 total carats of diamonds ($20,000 to $30,000) and a platinum three stone ring with princess and triangular brilliant cut diamonds weighing 8.27 carats total ($40,000 to $60,000). A white gold and diamond necklace with 64.66 carats of cabochon emeralds is expected to sell for $30,000 to $50,000.

The sale’s two most unusual lots, a David Webb cuff bracelet with diamonds and a 50 carat cushion cut amethyst ($30,000 to $50,000) and a circa-1968 Donald Claflin for Tiffany & Co. brooch depicting a large Chinese dragon figure and fashioned out of platinum, gold, diamonds and rubies ($10,000 to $15,000) are sure to attract admirers of uncommon jewels. An identical Claflin for Tiffany & Co. brooch is currently on display at Chicago’s Field Museum exhibition The Nature of Diamonds.

The preview exhibition will be held December 2 through 4 at 1338 West Lake Street, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on December 5 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.