At the same Sotheby’s auction at which Jayne Wrightsman’s jewels were auction, pieces from the collections of the late Evelyn and Estee Lauder also went under the hammer. Their items benefited a cause close to Evelyn Lauder’s heart, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

What I love about this Buccellati watch is how this one piece speaks volumes about how seriously grand occasions were once taken, to the point where even one’s watch had to be bejewelled and befitting of a significant evening and event.

This watch is made by Buccellati (which still offers remarkable jewelled time pieces) in two tone 18k gold, and set with diamonds in a pattern that echoes the Belle Epoque. The catalogue describes it this way:

The textured gold cuff enhanced by white gold florets and navette-shaped accents set with numerous round and single-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.40 carats, the central panel opening to reveal a watch, the dial applied with Arabic numerals and engraved with foliate motifs, mechanical movement, gross weight approximately 65 dwts, internal circumference 6½ inches, the dial signed Buccellati and the bracelet signed Buccellati-Italy-750-gb.

At a hammer price of USD $43,750, it sold within the pre-auction estimate of USD $35,000-45,000.