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2009 News Archive

All of our Watches & Jewellery news stories from 2009 can be found here.

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The Editor’s Top 5 stories of 2009

There have been thousands of stories on the website this year – here I highlight my favourites

Posted: 1 January 2010
Happy Hogmanay!

Happy Silvester, Reveillon and Nochevieja for our overseas readers

Posted: 31 December 2009
Merry Christmas!

Don't forget your free gift from Paul Fraser Collectibles...

Posted: 25 December 2009
Top 3 dazzling diamonds of the year

A look back at the diamond sales which have made auctioneers happy

Posted: 24 December 2009
1914 Patek Philippe timepiece to sell online today

You have just a few hours left to buy or place an offer on an exceptional $35k pocket watch

Posted: 23 December 2009
$19k ruby ring is a last-minute Christmas gift

Unsold gems from Heritage's final 2009 jewellery auction are still open to offers

Posted: 22 December 2009
Paul Fraser Collectibles: one of the 100 best things about Bristol

With Banksy and Wallace and Gromit, we've been named among the Top 100 things to love about our home city

Posted: 22 December 2009
$50k for A Lange & Sohne's 'first' automatic watch

It's about time, say some, as the German watchmaker adds an automatic model to its Lange 1 series

Posted: 21 December 2009
The $122k Ulysse Nardin watch trilogy

With amazing astrological and geographical designs, the watches stole the show at a NY auction

Posted: 18 December 2009
Unique item of the week... the Musical Harp Watch

This unusual 1810 Swiss timepiece with pearls and diamonds sold for $86.5k at Christie's

Posted: 18 December 2009
Patek Philippe Ref. 2499 sells for $720k

A $4.2m-grossing watch sale has ended 2009 on a high for NY watch sellers Patrizzi & Co

Posted: 17 December 2009
$1.2m Patek Philippe sets World Record

The Ref. 3974 sold with renowned divers watches and other rarities at 2009's final Antiquorum

Posted: 16 December 2009
Lady Houston's £311k pearls sell at auction

A £2.2m sale has topped a dazzling year for jewellery at Bonhams

Posted: 16 December 2009
£400k for a clock built during London's Great Fire

Bonhams £2m timepiece auction is set alight by a 17th century architectural long-case clock

Posted: 15 December 2009
'Eternally flawless' diamond to appear at Smithsonian

The newly-polished Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond, one of the world's most remarkable, will be displayed in the US

Posted: 15 December 2009
Rare Japanese clocks to sell in London

In the 19th century, Japanese timekeeping all but died out... now Bonhams is set to resurrect it

Posted: 14 December 2009
$5.4m flawless diamond sparkles at auction

The Evening Star, 'the very best to be worn to dinners and fêtes' leads a $25m NY jewellery sale

Posted: 11 December 2009
'Most sought-after' $850k Patek to sell online

A one-of-only-five made Vacheron Constantin ($220k) will also appear in Patrizzi & Co's web auction

Posted: 10 December 2009
'Extremely rare' $550k Patek to sell in time for Xmas

A unique $60k 'musical harp' watch will sell alongside the Patek Philippe Ref. 5016 in NY

Posted: 9 December 2009
Paul Fraser welcomes James Bly to the Expert Panel

Antique Expert and Fund Manager

Posted: 9 December 2009
Patek Philippe dominates $11.9m Hong Kong watch sale

The $575k Ref. 5079J has become the latest star in the buoyant luxury timepiece market

Posted: 4 December 2009
TAG Heuer resurrects its Silverstone at $6.5k

Based on the famous race circuit, the re-released 1974 watch is limited to just 1,500 pieces

Posted: 3 December 2009
$300k Patek to shine at 2009's final Antiquorum

Rare Patek Philippes and diver's Rolex Watches will round-up the auctioneer's 35th anniversary

Posted: 2 December 2009
Fabulous Fabergé treasured at auction

A Romanov cigarette case has exploded its estimate to sell for £612k

Posted: 1 December 2009
Citizen's function packed 250-limited gold watch

The Japanese watchmaker hasn't held back in adding features to its Eco-Drive Chrono Time AT

Posted: 30 November 2009
Vast brain-shaped pearl to sell for $400k

Five pound marvel of nature will go under the hammer in Los Angeles

Posted: 27 November 2009
$500k goddess Venus for sale

The Roman marble sculpture leads a New York auction of antiquities and ancient jewellery

Posted: 26 November 2009
The Collections of Malcolm Forbes

The cheerful multi-millionaire businessman, philanthropist and enthusiastic collector...

Posted: 26 November 2009
US TV star Reyne Haines joins Paul Fraser Collectibles expert panel

Here Reyne shows us that valuable collections aren't just confined to rare stamps or coins, classic cars, or wine cellars

Posted: 26 November 2009
Hublot's $1m watch: more than a cosmic price tag

The origins of one of Earth's most remarkable collectible watches are truly out of this world

Posted: 23 November 2009
Warren Buffett v Luxury Collectibles

You'd think there could only be one winner... right?

Posted: 20 November 2009
Greatest timepieces honoured

Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève has announced the winners for 2009

Posted: 19 November 2009
Madoff's New York Mets jacket sells for 20 times estimate

Jewellery and memorabilia dominate auction

Posted: 18 November 2009
Antiquorum's 35th anniversary auction proves a timepiece collector's paradise

Patek Philippe's Calibre 89 sells for $5.1m amongst many unique and fantastical pieces

Posted: 16 November 2009
Evening Star Diamond to sell

Pear-shaped pure white diamond to head $10m jewellery sale

Posted: 13 November 2009
100-limited watch for NY Yankees win

Baseball fans will be able to mark their team's 27th World Series victory with a rare wristwatch

Posted: 9 November 2009
Sarcar's £300k ultra-luxury watch

With an incredible 399 diamonds weighing 13.21 carats, it is the very embodiment of 'flaunting it'

Posted: 6 November 2009
£1m Iron Age haul dug up in Scotland

During his first time out with a metal detector, a man has uncovered four 2,000-year-old neckbands

Posted: 5 November 2009
Alpina's new extreme Chrono watch

The watchmaker's new steel timepiece boasts some distinctly no-nonsense design features

Posted: 4 November 2009
Elvis's diamond ring for sale

The King's unique piece of jewellery, gifted to a fan, will be auctioned in Florida next month

Posted: 3 November 2009
Paul Fraser welcomes John Bly to the expert panel

John Bly is an antiques dealer, author, after-dinner speaker and broadcaster who is best known from the BBC Antiques Roadshow

Posted: 3 November 2009
£30k board game among Japanese cloisonné gems for sale

It'll appear alongside a £30k cloisonné ox-drawn carriage, the only one of its kind to be sold at auction

Posted: 2 November 2009
The most complicated watch in the world for sale

Sold for $5m in 2004, the Patek Philippe Calibre 89 is up for auction again

Posted: 2 November 2009
Royal memorabilia from Queen Victoria's coachman

His family served the Royals for 80 years, making this a fascinating auction with affordable prices

Posted: 31 October 2009
The £70k Japanese Kakiemon Ladies

Museum-quality porcelain figures from Japan's feudal past to star at London art auction

Posted: 30 October 2009
The rare Swiss 'military' luxury watch

Never mind the Swiss army knife, how about a Ulysse Nardin camouflaged collectible wristwatch?

Posted: 30 October 2009
£50k lots lead Prince George memorabilia auction

Furniture, silver and a painting by Queen Victoria herself are among the controversial Duke's items

Posted: 29 October 2009
SEIKO unveils new 'Katana sword' timepieces

Based on the 800 year-old Japanese sword, these watches could be a knock-out for global collectors

Posted: 29 October 2009
Flawless 62.30 carat diamond leads jewellery auction

Price estimates are available only on request in the run-up to the Christie's Geneva sale

Posted: 28 October 2009
Harry Winston's $46k Guggenheim watch

The ladies' watch design is based on the museum's itself, with a price discount for its members

Posted: 27 October 2009
10 Patek Philippes at 'finest' watch auction

One of the most beautiful examples of Cartier's 'Tank Allongée' is also up for grabs

Posted: 26 October 2009
SEIKO's new commemorative Spring Drive Spacewalk

The 100-limited special edition is identical to the watch worn by the first 'private spacewalker'

Posted: 25 October 2009
Annenberg diamond sells for $7.7m

The stone, weighing a vast 32.01 carats, far exceeded the estimates of Christie's experts

Posted: 23 October 2009
'Rarest' Welsh clock goes under the hammer for £10k

Your chance to own a 1772 timepiece superior to all the other Owen oak and brass clocks in Wales

Posted: 22 October 2009
Bovet's new sporty and elegant timepiece

The Sportster Saguaro Tourbillon represents one-of-a-kind luxury, and is fast selling-out

Posted: 21 October 2009
James Bond's customised Rolex

It isn't just 007 who wears personally tailored watches - now Bond actor Daniel Craig has one too

Posted: 20 October 2009
A luxury watch for Mercedes-Benz SLR drivers

TAG Heuer's incredible new timepiece is inspired by the Mercedes-Benz 200mph sports car

Posted: 15 October 2009
Astronaut's 'Moon Rolex' sells for $131k

A watch taken to the lunar surface by Apollo 17's crew vastly exceeds its $30k estimate

Posted: 13 October 2009
Louis Vuitton's six $2.5m necklaces

The unique jewellery items will be added to Louis Vuitton's Spirit of Travel range

Posted: 13 October 2009
Unemployed man could get £1m for largest ever Anglo Saxon haul

He scanned the Staffordshire countryside with his metal detector for 18 years - and it finally paid off

Posted: 13 October 2009
Rose gold watch celebrates Mexican independence

Audemars Piguet issues a limited timepiece to mark 200 years since Mexico's split from Spain

Posted: 12 October 2009
£55k Royal Indian necklace dazzles at auction

The Lion of the Punjab's jewellery stars at Bonham's £1.1m Islamic and Indian Art auction

Posted: 10 October 2009
A look at 10 of the most essential collectors' watches

Worn on the cinema screen and in outer space, these pieces transformed the world of fine watches

Posted: 9 October 2009
How do you make a $1.3m wristwatch?

An incredible video by Patek Philippe shows you the whole process; and it's a must-see for watch collectors

Posted: 8 October 2009
Omega unveils its new 'deep sea' watch

The new 2,000-limited Seamaster Planet Ocean is billed as Omega's best underwater watch yet

Posted: 7 October 2009
Rapper Lil' Wayne given $1m Chopard watch

The Grammy award winning artist celebrated his 27th birthday with a diamond encrusted timepiece

Posted: 6 October 2009
The return of the House of Faberge

The Russian jewellers famous for producing the Tsar's decorated eggs has relaunched as a luxury brand

Posted: 5 October 2009
Company's prized £11m 'ruby' is a £100 fake

A recession-hit construction firm's key asset, the 'Gem of Tanzania', is revealed as false

Posted: 2 October 2009
Peter Mandelson's £21.5k watch

The First Secretary of State joins the political fans of Patek Philippe

Posted: 2 October 2009
Gold and jewellery smuggled in Camembert

Smugglers stopped at the border with not so soft cheese

Posted: 1 October 2009
Rolex that went to the Moon priced at $30,000

This Speedmaster Professional watch was present for Apollo 17's last 72 hours on the lunar surface

Posted: 1 October 2009
Collectibles investments are booming, says The Times

'High net worth individuals are increasingly turning to alternative investments,' reports the respected UK newspaper

Posted: 24 September 2009
Cartier's $130k watch defies expectations

The Swiss watchmaker's Rotonde de Cartier is the latest in its 'non-conformist' high tech range

Posted: 28 January 2009
Exceptional pieces smash estimates at jewellery auction

Recent £1.8m sale finds fantastic prices for exceptional pieces

Posted: 1 October 2009
Rare medal from Tudor England

A gold medal worth £250k is one of many coming up at auction

Posted: 1 October 2009
Watch auction raises €2,285,500 for charity

34 exquisite timepieces sold for the benefit of muscular dystrophy

Posted: 30 September 2009
Lottery awards £274k for Princess's jewellery

Anglo-Saxon trove is of national importance and 'unparalleled by other historians' discoveries,' say experts

Posted: 29 September 2009
Rare and exclusive watches for sale at Sotheby's

A rare $90k Patek Philippe ref. 1526J, and the one-of-a-kind $35k 'Red Tiffany' will be auctioned in New York

Posted: 29 September 2009
Affluent Americans spend $21bn on watches and jewellery

And Cartier is the most popular jeweller, says research into wealthy American’s spending habits in 2009

Posted: 27 September 2009
Indian jewellery prices undented by gold

The rising cost of gold isn't deterring jewellery sales in India

Posted: 25 September 2009
Largest ever Anglo Saxon treasure uncovered

A metal detector has found 1,500 gold, silver and military items - and their value is too high to calculate

Posted: 25 September 2009
Belarus President wears a $17k Patek Philippe

But what is Barak Obama wearing on his wrist?

Posted: 23 September 2009
The Top 10 sales at September's Antiquorum

Two recording breaking $780k and $684k Patek Philippe watches may have stolen the show, but here are the other big sellers...

Posted: 23 September 2009
Billionaire's diamond to auction for $3-5m

Christie's hopes this diamond's former owner and her reputation will enhance an already flawless stone

Posted: 22 September 2009
'Demand for collectible watches is back to pre-recession numbers'

So says the chairman of Antiquorum - its September auction netted an incredible $9m, including two Patek Philippe record breakers

Posted: 22 September 2009
See the new $80k Tag Heuer watch

The designer's first ever platinum watch is set to cause excitement among watch collectors

Posted: 22 September 2009
The surprising treasures of Dartmouth Town Council

Ceremonial maces, chains and an autograph book signed by a French President worth six figure sums

Posted: 22 September 2009
Good news: jewellery markets are thriving

More people want tangible assets and this is keeping jewellery investments in good health, say auction experts

Posted: 21 September 2009
Marlon Brando's watch sells for $18k

A Vacheron Constantin from the actor's 1950s golden period was among the big sales in New York

Posted: 21 September 2009
Space explorer's watch brings $45k

A Seiko wristwatch worn by a business entrepreneur and space explorer has brought five figures at Antiquorum in New York

Posted: 21 September 2009
Two world record sales for Patek Philippe

'Buyers are willing to pay a premium for watches chosen by well respected collectors,’ says Antiquorum president

Posted: 21 September 2009
World's biggest gem expo in Hong Kong

Expo will feature 3,000 exhibitors from 44 countries and the largest-ever diamond pavilion

Posted: 21 September 2009
Antiquorum sales total $9m

The New York auction was a massive success, with Patek Philippe, Cartier, Breguet and Omega leading the way

Posted: 18 September 2009
'Finest haul' of Viking silver goes on display

Coins and jewellery delighted experts at the British Museum - and a new expo is set to cause more fascination

Posted: 17 September 2009
Gem unearthed from 2,300 years ago

Carved jewel found in Israel depicts legendary general

Posted: 17 September 2009
Jewellery from huge theft recovered

Goods from the burglary of a princess have re-appeared

Posted: 16 September 2009
Putin pressed into donating £5,000 watch to metalworker

Russia's Prime Minister yields to brazen request following speech

Posted: 16 September 2009
Modern marvels in September auction

New York auction has a number of recent masterpieces up for auction

Posted: 15 September 2009
'Most complicated wristwatch ever' to sell for $1.3m

Patek Philippe's masterpiece watch will be available for sale and public viewings in New York this month

Posted: 14 September 2009
A $300K+ watch

A classic Patek Philippe is going up for auction

Posted: 13 September 2009
Good news: collectibles improve your mental health

They can reduce stress, add years to your life and 'people with hobbies are healthier and happier,' says a new study

Posted: 11 September 2009
Space auction featuring fantastic pieces

The personal recollections of a Gemini 7 astronaut, a flown Rolex and Neil Armstrong's autograph available

Posted: 11 September 2009
Patek Philippe and an astronaut's watch to appear at auction

A watch worn by a space explorer and the world's finest watches will appear at the next Antiquorum sale

Posted: 10 September 2009
China pushes its citizens to buy silver and gold

New government TV advert could prompt massive coin, jewellery and watch price rises – and see China overtake India in gold investing

Posted: 9 September 2009
50% off collectors' watches in NY

Popular 'warehouse sale' offers unmissable vales on Jaeger, Panerais and Blancpain wristwatches

Posted: 8 September 2009
$35-40k diving watch

A superb luxury sports watch from a famous jewellers is coming on the market

Posted: 4 September 2009
Top 10 priciest pieces of jewellery in the world

The MailOnline has listed their version of the '10 most super-expensive pieces of jewellery'...

Posted: 3 September 2009
Tsar's long-lost jewellery to sell for £1m

Faberge items, cufflinks and cigarette boxes of fallen Tsar Nicholas II are discovered in Sweden after 91 years

Posted: 1 September 2009
Flawless diamond for sale

A ring with a pear-shaped diamond is expected to fetch $2m is part of a collection up for auction

Posted: 31 August 2009
The world's first jewellery

A find in Morocco reminds us just how old collecting is

Posted: 28 August 2009
Metal detector finds £1.1m

Hugely valuable Viking stash uncovered in Harrogate field

Posted: 27 August 2009
The five best collectors' watches in 2009

Containing hundreds of diamonds, miniature cathedral gongs and even pieces of 2,000 year-old moon rock... Here are some of the world's best watches

Posted: 27 August 2009
Watch where your money's going

Californian man paid out for a watch the seller didn't have

Posted: 27 August 2009
China overtakes India as world’s No.1 gold market

China's mainland has proven to be the most resilient among global jewellery markets, say analysts

Posted: 26 August 2009
For sale: rare 18-c Patek Philippe gold watch

Coins, watches and jewellery will also feature in US auction

Posted: 26 August 2009
Oscar winner's watch

A gold watch given as a present from a famous actress to a famous actor is up for auction

Posted: 24 August 2009
Coin collectors’ 50th anniversary

It started small, but this weekend enthusiasts of many kinds will come from far and wide

Posted: 20 August 2009
German jewellery and watch investments boosted by recession

‘Consumers see jewellery as a store of value,’ says experts, and sales are increasing

Posted: 20 August 2009
€645k wristwatch is the first of its kind

Only 10 of these Patek Philippe watches, 'taking infinite patience and countless hours of work to create,' will be made each year

Posted: 19 August 2009
Cheating husband’s 40 gifts to wife sold for £286k

Fine diamond jewellery bought by millionaire businessman to cover his infidelities is sold by daughter

Posted: 19 August 2009
Silver bars worth $1.2m to appear at travelling roadshow

This show travels 300,000 miles and purchases over $15m of collectible items each year

Posted: 19 August 2009
Watches for sale including a $500k beauty and a space-flown rarity

300 of the finest timepieces in existence are to be auctioned off this autumn

Posted: 19 August 2009
Queen Victoria jewellery at auction

A jewellery lot designed by Queen Victoria to commemorate Mr Brown is to appear at a Scottish auction

Posted: 13 August 2009
Enormous jewellery theft

Royal guest stung by slick burglary at exclusive hotel

Posted: 9 August 2009
Could you spot a fake Rolex?

A simple guide to assist in telling whether you're being sold the genuine article

Posted: 7 August 2009
Item rejected by TWO New York auction houses sells for $620k

It was left to a small auction house to uncover a story of Hitler, Goering and a 101 year-old undiscovered artefact

Posted: 6 August 2009
Texas drug gangster's loot to go under hammer

Convicted drug dealer's belongings will be auctioned with 700 other illegal items seized by the FBI, this Saturday

Posted: 31 July 2009
This hat is worth over $1m

High-level art and fashion are colliding on Australia's catwalks

Posted: 30 July 2009
'Nearly flawless' diamond ring sells for $77k

'Little summer estate sale,' throws up surprise big seller

Posted: 28 July 2009
Global fashion giant releases $265k watch

The wristwatch and fashion worlds are set to be rocked by this design leader's latest innovation

Posted: 27 July 2009
$1.3m for a Patek Philippe

One of the world's most expensive watches has appeared on the market

Posted: 22 July 2009
Pretty in pink

Spectacular pink diamond goes on tour before its winter sale

Posted: 16 July 2009
Which 'most expensive' footballer has developed an eye for collectibles?

This player is 'becoming more mature with his money' and, 'he now wants items which hold value,' says a source

Posted: 13 June 2009