Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva is a magnificent event that showcases exceptional items from five different segments. These rare and unique pieces were showcased at Bucherer boutique in Zurich and in Geneva throughout the month of October. And as from the 2-9th of November items will be exhibited at Mandarin Oriental during the Sotheby’s Luxury Week. I was very excited to be an ambassador for this beautiful partnership between 2 iconic brands Sotheby’s and Bucherer. In my article below I will share with you highlights of this auction and my favourite luxury items.
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Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva x Bucherer
This is a very innovative partnership of two brands that share values of heritage, trust and expertise. They both capture the latest trends in the luxury collection. Bucherer also has a pre-owned section, that still many clients are not aware of. It was interesting to come to Bucherer boutique and apart from their magnificent collection of watches and fine jewellery also find unusual objects from the auction. Why do I say unusual? Because apart from luxury watcher and jewellery there are also categories like:
- Sneakers
- Handbags
- Are Objects
All from the fast-growing luxury categories. To meet the taste of every collector and bring cultural significance.
Bucherer’s history dates back to 1888 and Bucherer’s name is associated with Swiss excellence in watches
and fine jewellery. I had a chance to represent this brand in the past and I was always astonished by how professional they are and how creative they are and produce stunning watches for over a century. It’s a family-owned brand with strong values and vision. Same I could say about Sotheby’s. They are a benchmark for quality and expertise foremost in art, but also in luxury and real estate. I also must say that when I was studying art history at University I dreamed about working with Sotheby’s. it’s one of the reasons why I was so happy to represent both brands for Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva.
Highlights of Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva
In this part of the article, I would love to show you some of my favourite pieces that I found at the Bucherer boutique in Zurich.
Lady’s enamel and diamond wristwatch, ‘Serpenti’, Bulgari
Estimate CHF 28,000 – 45,000
Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva has in-display treasures like this. It’s my most loved piece during this auction.
Bulgari is a jewellery brand that everyone loves. The company was founded by a Greek silversmith Sotirio Boulgaris (later Italianised to Bulgari). Sotirio arrived in Rome in 1881, via Corfu and Naples. In 1884 he opened a shop in the via Sistina, followed by a second shop at 28 via Condotti the following year, selling “artistic” silverwork, antiques, curiosities and jewellery. In 1905 Bulgari began to focus seriously on jewellery, with the opening of the shop at 10 via Condotti, close to the Spanish Steps — the heritage boutique that remains the brand’s heart and soul today. In this endeavour Sotirio was joined by his two sons, Costantino (1889–1973), an academic who wrote the standard work on Italian silversmithing, and Giorgio (1890–1966), who worked closely with his father, buying stones and developing Bulgari’s creativity. In 1962, Elizabeth Taylor was in Rome filming Cleopatra (1963). During a break in filming, she posed for a still while wearing – appropriately for her role– a gold-and-diamond coiled serpent Serpenti watch by Bulgari. While Bulgari had made a coiled stylized serpent jewellery watch in the late 40s, it was in the 60s, boosted by Taylor’s portrayal of Cleopatra, that the Serpenti rose to cult-style status. It became far more realistically snake-like, with its superbly articulated scale-like elements in textured gold studded with gems or vibrantly enamelled, with the watch case and dial hidden inside the serpent’s beautifully shaped head.
The bouncy flexibility of the Serpenti as it spiralled several times around the wrist was engineered by means of a gold
spring inside the serpent’s body. Diana Vreeland, who was mad about serpent jewels, owned a bold white-and-pink
enamel Serpenti belt which she also wore coiled around her neck. In abstract variations, wide gold Tubogas coils are
finished with square or oval dials. The Serpenti, its head, scales and texture, remain an iconic Bulgari theme and motif for watches, jewellery and handbags.
Rolex ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona, Stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet Circa 1970
Estimate CHF 150,000 – 250,000
The Rolex Paul Newman Daytona is one of the most sought-after watches in the world. Features of vintage Paul Newman Daytonas include :
multicoloured “exotic” dials and
- Art-Deco-style numerals.
- Stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet
Back in the 1960s and 70s, this watch was not nearly as well-received as it is today. It resulted in very low production numbers. This rarity – combined with the fact that famous actor and race car driver Paul Newman wore his watch every day – has only fanned the flames of the Daytona legend. In turn, this chronograph is now one of the most expensive vintage watches on the market. It will be for sure one of the most popular items during Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva.
Cartier Ballon Bleu, Circa 2019
Estimate CHF 12,000 – 18,000
It is yellow gold and diamond-set wristwatch from around Circa 2019, so relatively new. Also, the expected price range is not as high as the previous watches that I mentioned. The Ballon Bleu de Cartier is a unique member of the French fine jewellery house’s watch family. Introduced in 2007, the Ballon Bleu line combines the technical craft of watchmaking with a fine jewellery sensibility. Seen on the wrists of both me and women, royals like Kate Middleton and celebrities including Johnny Dep. the Ballon Bleu’s modern elegance gives it a broad appeal. The Ballon Bleu’s name captures its unique design features perfectly. The Ballon Bleu is unique in its case shape which is reminiscent of a pebble. Rounded on both the top and the bottom. It is both comfortable and very elegant. Somehow the femininity is not overpowering and the piece can have a very masculine edge in its larger chronograph version. The Ballon Bleu’s other unique feature is the elegantly integrated crown guard which slopes over the sapphire cabochon crown.
Nike Air Jordan 1 Low Dior
Estimate CHF 6,000-8,000
Original sneakers are always in a search of collectors, that is why Sotheby’s also curates for these needs. I liked a lot Dior x Air Jordan model that is part of Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva. This interesting partnership between Dior and Nike was first unveiled at the Dior Men’s Pre-Fall 2020 runway show in Miami. The sneaker world erupted as it marked the first time a Parisian couture house partnered with the iconic Air Jordan basketball brand, blending high-end streetwear with luxury fashion. Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior Men, said,
“I love mixing together different worlds, different ideas – Jordan Brand and Dior are both
emblematic of absolute excellence in their fields.”
Limited to only 8500 pairs of Lows and 4700 pairs of Highs, both styles feature the Dior Gray colour palette, a homage to one of Christian Dior’s most-loved hues. The shoes were handcrafted in Italy from calfskin leather. Accented with Dior’s signature Oblique monogram jacquard Swooshes. Dior and Air Jordan’s iconic branding is mixed on the Wings logo, tongue labels, and outsole graphics.
Hermès Ebene Crocodile Retourne Kelly 32 Palladium Hardware
Estimate CHF 16,000 – 22,000
The Kelly is Hermès’ most classic handbag. The Kelly’s origins can be traced back to 1852 with the release of the Haut
Courroies (HAC) bag. The HAC was used to hold saddles for equestrians. The HAC was reinterpreted into the Sac à
Dépêches in the 1930s. This luxury Hermès handbag was designed by Robert Dumas, the son-in-law of Hermès CEO Émile Hermès. This Hermès purse gained popularity when Grace Kelly used it to hide her pregnancy from the paparazzi. the princess of Monaco was introduced to the Kelly bag while filming To Catch A Thief in 1955 and refused to part with it. Hermès renamed the bag the “Kelly” in 1977 as a nod to the actress-turned-princess. This Hermès bag’s original
trapezoidal design included two triangular gussets, a cutout flap, a handle, and two side straps. The handbag now
features an optional shoulder strap, increasing its functionality. It is constructed out of thirty-six pieces of leather and symbol of luxury.
There are much more dream handbags at Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva. I am wondering which one is your favourite 🙂
Highlights from the Exposition at Mandarin Oriental
It was so wonderful to come to Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Geneva and enter a true wonderland. Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva was filled with the most desired luxury items: jewellery, handbags, watches, cars and art. It’s was heaven for me. . What was also amazing at Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva is that we could see from close all the items and also try them on. As you can see above I started my luxury journey with the Tiara. This tiara was formerly in the Collection of Johanna Loisinger, it has impressive sapphire and diamonds. It was made in mid 19th century. Designed as five detachable graduated palmettes, each set with a cushion-shaped sapphire enhanced with cushion-, circular- and single-cut diamonds.
Below you can find my other choices of earrings and necklaces:
- Pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings (Property of a Lady) Important pair of natural pearl and diamond pendant earrings. Each surmounts is designed as a cluster of marquise-shaped, brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds, supporting a detachable drop-shaped natural pearl measuring approximately 13.45 – 14.90 x 23.00mm and 12.95 – 14.70 x 24.35mm respectively,
- René Boivin: Pair of peridot and pink sapphire ear clips, circa 1965
- Bulgari: Emerald and diamond necklace, ‘Serpenti’Designed as a serpent with pear-shaped emerald eyes, the scales enhanced with brilliant-cut diamonds.
And here are some pictures from the Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva exhibition at Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Official Video for Sotheby’s x Bucherer Partnership. Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva
Behind the Scenes
I am sorry but I had to share my princess moment with you.
To see more articles about events and lifestyle please click here.
Bucherer Blue Launch, please click here.
I hope that you liked my highlights from Sotheby’s Luxury Week Geneva. Please let me know which items you loved the most.
And here is a link to Luxury Week Geneva 2022 Version. Please click on picture below:
Useful Information
Sotheby’s x Bucherer Exquisite Treasures from Geneva Luxury Week Video
As always with love
Bella Zofia xx
Your Fashion, Beauty and Travel Blogger from Geneva
