CHICAGO, IL.- On May 17 and 18, Hindman’s spring Timepieces and Fine and Important Jewelry auctions realized over $2.6 million and saw tremendous bidder engagement. Active and competitive bidding across all channels led to top prices and resulted in a strong 96 percent sell through rate for both auctions. Jewelry by designers such as Hemmerle, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, Tony Duquette, Evelyn Clothier, and Van Cleef & Arpels saw fantastic interest while watches by Patek Philippe, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, and Cartier also saw strong results.

The May 18 Fine and Important Jewelry auction was led by an important Burmese ruby and diamond ring (lot 53), which shattered its presale estimate of $30,000-50,000 to achieve $287,500, the highest price paid for a ruby at Hindman. Considered the “King of Gems,” the ring contains one oval mixed cut, unheated “Classic Burma” ruby, and two triangular brilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.50 carats total.

An exceptional Hemmerle diamond dress set with six round brilliant diamonds weighing over 10.00 carats total also achieved a top price, selling for $93,750 (lot 162). Another standout lot was a “Dearest” bracelet by Tiffany & Co. (lot 43), which far exceeded its presale estimate of $1,200-$1,800 to ultimately realize $59,375. Other highlights included two Harry Winston diamond rings (lot 58 and 59), which sold for $41,250 and $50,000 respectively, well above their presale estimates. A spectacular Tony Duquette opal, rock crystal, and moonstone necklace (lot 134) also saw enthusiastic bidding and sold for $28,125, more than double its presale estimate.

Strong engagement was also seen with pieces by Evelyn Clothier, including a diamond, ruby, and emerald flower brooch (lot 170) and a diamond en tremblant brooch (lot 52), both of which far exceeded their estimates and sold for $12,500. A diamond, ruby, and plique-à-jour enamel flower brooch and a collection of multigem flower brooches (lot 175) also surpassed their estimates and sold for $13,750 and $11,875, respectively.

The May 17 Timepieces auction saw strong interest in watches by Patek Philippe and Rolex. The sale was led by a Patek Philippe Ref. 5110R-001 'Worldtime' wristwatch (lot 83) which realized $34,375 against a presale estimate of $15,000- $25,000. A Rolex Ref. 18238 'Oyster Perpetual Day-Date' wristwatch from 1995 (lot 32) realized more than double its presale estimate, selling for $20,000. A Rolex Ref. 1803, also an “Oyster Perpetual Day-Date” wristwatch (lot 33), also exceeded its presale estimate to achieve $8,750.

Other standout lots included two limited-edition Jaeger-LeCoultre, 'Reverso' wristwatches (lot 69 and 70), which sold for $10,000 and $13,750, against presale estimates of $5,000-7,000 and $8,000-12,000, respectively. A limited-edition 'Quantieme Perpetuel Automatique' wristwatch (lot 60) also realized a strong price of $12,500.

Bidding for the May 17 and 18 auctions was available via absentee bid, by phone, and online through the Digital Bid Room, Hindman’s recently launched online and mobile bidding platform, and four additional online bidding platforms.