Announcements Archives -

Type IIa D IF 4.07-carat Marquise Diamond

FORTUNA® Ends the Year Strong with Important Estate Diamonds

in Announcements / Media

FORTUNA’s most-anticipated sale of the year, the December Jewels & Watches auction, came to an exciting close on Thursday, December 10, 2020 after nearly a full day of live bidding activity. December’s curated collection offered a wealth of iconic estate jewels, important gemstones, and rare vintage timepieces—giving holiday shoppers the perfect opportunity to surprise their loved ones with one-of-a-kind treasures. In total sales revenue, the December auction sold nearly $1.9 million in jewelry and watches, showing promising signs of the return of consumer confidence in luxury accessories. For full sale results, click here.

Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 in 14K Gold (Lot 1047, *December Jewels & Watches*)

Only a year after setting global auction records for a 1991 limited edition Cartier Crash watch, FORTUNA has returned bringing yet another vintage watch rarity to market. Despite being one of the later consigned items of FORTUNA’s over 400-lot catalog, the impressive Rolex Daytona Ref. 6241 in 14K Gold got the bidding attention it deserved. Amassing one of the world’s largest followings in vintage sports watches, the Rolex Daytona is a tour de force of mechanical timepieces. Debuting in 1966, the Ref. 6241 is especially rare for its 14K gold case—only seeing about 3000 examples made in all metals. Opening at auction with a starting bid of $70,000, the price quickly climbed between multiple phone bidders. After a tense final exchange between two phone bidders, the classic timepiece eventually went for a hammer price of $135,000 and a final achieved price of $168,750.

Estate Jewels Dazzled at FORTUNA®’s November Sale

NEW YORK, November 13, 2020—FORTUNA’s November Jewels & Watches sale concluded last Thursday, affirming the return of the strength of the fine jewelry and watch market, despite a challenging year for the industry. The NYC-based boutique auction house was extremely well-positioned to tackle the changes in luxury shopping that 2020 has brought by bringing the excitement of an auction completely online. With its state-of-the-art website and growing social media presence, the boutique auction house attracted plenty of new bidders to their autumn auction.

*Cartier Rivoli Diamond Bracelet, achieved $25,000 at auction.*

Join Fortuna Online and On Our Mobile App

Message from Our CEO: Join FORTUNA® Online!

in Announcements

Dear Friends, Family and Loyal Supporters,

I am writing you today not just as the CEO of FORTUNA® but as a concerned citizen at a time in which fear and uncertainty has permeated our lives. More importantly, I write you this message out of a sense of responsibility and from a place of confidence, faith, and determination.

Most of our daily lives have completely transformed with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); however, we view this situation as an opportunity to step up as leaders in our industry and work together to battle this threat. We will continue to provide a safe, healthy, and exciting experience as we always have, and innovate to adapt to these newly developed circumstances.

Regarding Health & Safety:

At FORTUNA we are taking very specific steps in our efforts to combat this threat and to protect our team and clients. FORTUNA’s NY office is temporarily closed and our entire staff is now working remotely, in compliance with the statewide response to stunt the spread of COVID-19. However, our phone lines are still active and we will attend to all of your calls.

We will continue to closely monitor updates from state and federal authorities, along with guidelines set by the CDC and WHO. If there are any significant changes to our services, we will inform you as soon as possible. To ensure you receive our updates, please subscribe to our mailing list here:

Regarding Future Auctions:

We are still keeping to our 2020 auction schedule and haven’t postponed or cancelled any sales. We encourage you to participate via our state-of-the-art digital bidding platform, either by visiting our auction site or by downloading our free mobile app for iOS or Android. For an instructional video on how to set up and use our app and/or bid online, please click here.

At FORTUNA, we are truly blessed to have a business that can interface with our clientele as effectively through our innovative technology as we can in-person. Whether this is your first time bidding with us remotely or you are one of our many remote international bidders, I am excited to inform you of significant improvements to the ways you can participate in our auctions from the comfort and safety of your home:

We are now including close-up video shots of every lot offered in our online catalog, providing a more realistic view of its general size, what it looks like from multiple angles, and its presence in a room.
We are also pleased to introduce a new service, Virtual Preview, in which you can video chat with our specialists directly for a closer look on lots of interest. To schedule a Virtual Preview with one of our specialists, simply call our office at (212) 389-9040 or email condition@fortunaauction.com.
Everyone interested in the excitement of an auction can watch it streamed live on our website and on our Facebook page on the day of the sale.

Until we are able to open our showroom to the public, we are committed to providing our buyers with every alternative method possible of viewing our auction offerings so that they can bid with confidence.

Regarding Selling with FORTUNA:

While our NY office is still closed, we are still accepting consignments for upcoming auctions. We ask that you contact us in regards to any items of jewelry or watches you are planning to send to our office so that we can provide you with an updated, insured shipping label, to monitor and track the package. If you have any questions about getting started with selling through FORTUNA or you have an ongoing consignment, please contact us at (212)389-9040 or email us at valuation@fortunaauction.com.

Wishing all the best to you and your loved ones! We hope you can join FORTUNA online!

Kind Regards,

Herbert John Saxon, CEO of FORTUNA®

Cartier Crash 1991 Limited Edition - Fortuna December 2019 Important Watches

Record Breaking Cartier Crash Leads Fortuna’s December Sales

in Announcements / Media

NEW YORK, December 16, 2019—Fortuna, the NYC-based auction house specializing in fine jewelry and watches, concluded its final auctions for the year, Important Jewels and Important Watches, achieving over $1.8 million in revenue and setting a world record for the iconic Cartier Crash, one of the most unusual and intriguing watches on the market.

Created in 1967, legend has it that the Cartier Crash, which resembles the melting clocks in Salvador Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory,” was inspired by a timepiece recovered from a scorching car wreck. Reissued in 1991 in a limited edition of only 400 pieces, the rare timepiece is quickly achieving cult-status and has been spotted on the wrists of high profile celebrities, such as a style icon and avid watch collector, Kanye West. Yet, veteran collectors were shocked when the Crash flew by its high estimate of $50,000, achieving $81,250 at the boutique NYC auction house.

Cartier 6.69ct Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring - Fortuna Exchange: February Sale

Fortuna Exchange: February Sale Highlights

in Announcements

NEW YORK, NY— Fortuna Exchange: February Sale was a strong start to a new monthly auction series that Fortuna introduced in 2019, offering collectors a broad range of fine jewelry and watches from celebrated makers across all eras. The Fortuna Exchange was created to provide our sellers greater opportunities per year to sell their assets on a global platform, without the constraints or limitations of consigning their pieces to seasonal sales that are few and far between.

With the addition of regular monthly auctions, alongside our larger signature sales that occur biannually, we are excited to offer our clients a year that is overflowing with rare and exciting fine jewelry and watch offerings.

Estate and Signed Jewelry Lead the Sale

In fine jewelry highlights, signed jewelry performed very strongly—achieving a total sell-through rate by value of 85.4%. In particular, the cover lot, a very fine Cartier 6.69ct Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring, prompted a roar of competitive bidding. The property of a New York lady, the finely crafted ring achieved a final price of $65,625, exceeding a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-$50,000. All in all, jewelry by Cartier and Tiffany & Co. drew the attention of bidders across the globe, achieving sell-through rates by value of 81.5% and 84.6% respectively.

A Cartier Unheated Burmese 6.69ct Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring. Achieved $65,625 at auction, against a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-$50,000.

Fancy Intense Blue Diamond Ring- Fortuna Fine Jewelry and Watch Auction NYC December 2018 Magnificent Jewels

FORTUNA Breaks Major Ground with Biggest Sale Yet

in Announcements / Watches

NEW YORK, NY—Fortuna’s highly anticipated three-part winter auction series took place on December 6-7, 2018, achieving a total sale revenue of around $4 million USD. The auctions offered an exemplary collection of jewelry and watches from the most prestigious makers in their craft, including Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Rolex, and Omega.

Highlighting Fortuna’s first sale of the season, Session One: Magnificent Jewels, was an exquisite 3.05ct Fancy Intense Blue diamond ring. Naturally occurring blue diamonds are found in less than 0.02% of all diamonds mined and are one of the rarest gemstones in the world. This particular blue diamond ring was consigned by an important Asian collector and exhibited a gorgeous and vibrant blue hue that is rarely seen, even among blue diamonds. After a round of tense bidding that had the auction floor buzzing with excitement, the ring achieved $1,395,000, selling to a phone bidder.

In addition to colored diamonds, Magnificent Jewels also featured an exquisite assortment of rare estate jewels and signed pieces spanning many historical style periods. Of the many jewelry highlights, a stunning Art Deco Cartier sapphire and diamond bracelet truly evoked the classic glamour that is characteristic of the Roaring Twenties era. The piece achieved $76,800 USD against a pre-sale estimate of $60,000-$90,000.

Victorian Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring - Fortuna NYC Fine Jewelry & Watch Auction

Fortuna Achieves Nearly $1.4 Million in Important Jewels Sale

in Announcements

Session Two of Fortuna’s fall auction series witnessed strong bidder activity from a packed showroom and oversea buyers.

On September 27, 2018 Fortuna’s IMPORTANT JEWELS sale, followed Session One: Important Watches, and achieved a total of $1,378,977 in sales revenue, with well over 150 lots selling for exceptionally strong prices. Of the many estate jewelry highlights, the most notable was the cover lot, a stunning rectangular cushion-cut Kashmir sapphire, weighing 4.30-carats, surrounded by eight old mine-cut diamonds, set in an 18K gold Victorian setting. This rare beauty achieved $187,500, against a $150,000-$200,000 estimate.

A rare Victorian 4.30-carat Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring. Achieved $187,500 at auction, against estimate of $150,000-$200,000.

Additional highlights in colored gemstones included an Oscar Heyman & Bros. Sapphire and Diamond Ring, which sold for $40,625 against a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$40,000, and a Tanzanite and Diamond Platinum Ring, which achieved $22,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $18,000-$25,000.

Rolex Paul Newman Daytona - Fortuna NYC Fine Jewelry & Watch Auction

Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona Fetches $275,000 at FORTUNA

in Announcements / Watches

The NYC auction house cements its presence in the world of high-end watch collecting, selling 95% of lots.

On September 27 Fortuna held its second Important Watches auction in New York City, in which the sell-through rate exceeded 95% with a total sale value of $889,729. More than 600 registered bidders from 43 countries competed for 66 lots. The sale was lead by a Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 that sold for $275,000 including premium. Fortuna has taken yet another strong step forward in establishing itself as a serious player in the high-end watch space.

“There was a lot of fierce bidding and excitement in the auction room. We sold 63 of the 66 lots offered, with many of the watches far exceeding their pre-sale estimates. Our consignors and buyers were very pleased with the results and the quality of watches offered, and we already have a flood of consignments coming in for our December sales.” said John Saxon, President & CEO of Fortuna.

A fresh-to-market Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” reference 6239 achieved $275,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $150,000-$250,000.

Rolex Watches Soars

The Swiss brand performed very well at auction, with all 24 Rolex watches selling. The Rolex lots in the sale brought a total of $584,164, surpassing the combined pre-sale high estimates of $510,300.

Among the top performing Rolex watches were a “Four-Line” Daytona reference 16520 which brought $43,750 against a pre-sale estimate of $18,000–$28,000, a “Double-Red” Sea-Dweller reference 1665 which brought $31,250 against a pre-sale estimate of $14,000–$20,000, and an Explorer II reference 1655 which brought $21,250 against a pre-sale estimate of $12,000–$18,000.

Rolex Paul Newman Daytona Ref. 6239-Fortuna Auction NYC

FORTUNA Concludes June Auction Series in a Strong Fashion

in Announcements / Watches

As an auction house with a predominant fine jewelry focus, Fortuna establishes itself in the niche world of Haute horology with the high-profile sale of a Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona.

Following the success of Fortuna’s April auctions and the monumental sale of The Estate of Bo Legendre, Fortuna has continued to achieve strong results into the summer, despite it being a traditionally slow season for the rest of the industry. Total revenue of Fortuna’s summer auctions amounted to over $2.1 million, with over 80% of the lots sold—an impressive feat in the auction industry. Soaring hammer prices for a medley of rare estate jewelry and vintage timepieces met an animated and crowded showroom of fine jewelry and watch connoisseurs. Approximately 79.4% of the lots offered in the summer auctions exceeded pre-sale estimates, reflecting strong bidder activity from private collectors in 47 countries.

IMPORTANT WATCHES Post-Sale Highlights

June 28th IMPORTANT WATCHES was Fortuna’s first watch-only sale and a demonstration of the newfound confidence Fortuna has inspired in the watch collector community, likely resulting from the strong prices the auction house was able to achieve in April’s Important Jewels & Watches sale.

Rolex Paul Newman Daytona - Fortuna Important Watches

A Rare and Highly Desirable Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona, Ref. 6239 (Lot 2104) sold for $212,500—soaring past its starting bid of $120,000.

The highlight of the sale was indubitably the Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona Ref. 6239 (Lot 2104), the world-famous vintage watch that has generated an unwavering cult following. Produced circa 1968, the “Paul Newman” Daytona offered by Fortuna features the same reference model that Paul Newman, accomplished actor and race car driver amongst his many other pursuits, wore and popularized. Heavy world-wide interest surrounding the watch could certainly be felt on the day of the auction, as competitive bidding between a gentleman on the auction room floor and a phone bidder took the price far beyond the initial starting bid of $120,000—achieving a sold price of $212,500!

Fortuna Hosts Exclusive Cocktail Event with Rolls Royce

in Announcements

Together with Rolls Royce and The Surrey Hotel, Fortuna Hosted an Unforgettable Night Celebrating The Estate of Bo Legendre

On April 12, 2018, Fortuna hosted an intimate cocktail party in partnership with Rolls Royce Motors and The Surrey Hotel, celebrating the life and unparalleled jewelry collection of Bo Legendre at the presidential suite of The Surrey Hotel in New York City.

Fortuna Partners with Rolls Royce Motors for Special Event

Rolls Royce town cars await outside The Surrey Hotel to transport guests to and from Fortuna’s highly anticipated event.

The elegance and understated luxury of one of The Surrey’s finest living spaces provided the perfect atmosphere for guests to lounge and thoughtfully appreciate the stars of the show—a few dozen of the most important offerings from The Estate of Bo Legendre, resting serenely within towering, pristine glass vitrines. Of the rare jewels displayed, some of the most coveted were jewelry pieces designed by the legendary French designer, Suzanne Belperron, and stunning Art Deco Cartier jewels.