Jewellery and watches auction a huge success

First published: 22-09-2011

A sale of fine jewellery and watches which took place in San Francisco earlier this week has been deemed a big success by auctioneers Bonhams.

The Salon Jewellery and Watches auction took place in the Californian city on September 19th 2011, with $1.17 million (£759,000) taken during the course of the event, Art Daily reported.

A selection of the lots in the sale came with a touch of star glamour, as some of the items on sale belonged to actress Heddy Lamarr, with others coming from the estate of songwriter Meredith Willson and his wife Rosemary.

The funds raised during the sale will be donated to a foundation set up in their names.

Star lots included three 14 carat and 18 carat gold watches, which sold for $2,750, above their $1,200 to $1,500 estimate.

Several classic watches are also set to be put for auction in the US soon along with a line of classic cars as part of an auction of the collections of Pennsylvanian businessman Dorando Faggioli.