Time Is Of The Essence As Bidders Prepare For Spring Auctions

A unique Rolex watch, identical to the iconic timepiece worn by James Bond in his first big screen outing in Dr No, will headline a series of prestigious spring auctions at McTear’s later this month.

Sean Connery was a huge fan of the Swiss watchmaker and his appearance with a classic Submariner 6538 in 1962 cemented the spy’s connection to the luxury brand.  The 1958 Sub 6538 going to auction - which is the even rarer ‘Big Crown Four Liner’ model - could fetch up to £60,000 on 20^th March.

One iconic wristwatch would be enough for most watch auctions, however, McTear’s is celebrating the clocks springing into the new season with another sought after Rolex timepiece.  Following 50 years travelling across deserts, climbing mountains, and descending to ocean depths, this very rare Single Red 1680 Rolex Submariner now finds itself under the spotlight at McTear’s, with the timepiece estimated to fetch between £16,000 and £20,000.

Following the sale of the late John Bellany masterpiece, The Finnon Smoker, for £80,000 (hammer) in 2022, McTear’s is again championing the internationally renowned Port Seton artist with the auction of another epic work.  The Players offers an insight into Bellany’s life-long love of music, with the huge oil on board created at a time when the artist was producing some of his most memorable works as he embraced the cultural delights of London during his time at the Royal College of Art.

These early works are amongst Bellany’s best, with renowned London Evening Standard art critic, Brian Sewell, commenting; “.... in the 1960s (Bellany) painted such pictures as to make us think him as a painter with Rembrandt."  The large scale pieces rarely come to auction and McTear’s specialists estimate The Players could fetch up to £50,000 at The Scottish Contemporary Art Auction on 28^th March.

Scott Fitzgerald’s novella, The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, may be a flight of fancy, grounded in fantasy, but a look at the Exceptional Jewellery – Diamonds & More auction on 20^th March shows that size is definitely a factor in the world of high quality gems.

Highlighting the sale is a spectacular solitaire ring, boasting a quite remarkable 9.33 carat oval cut diamond surrounded by a halo of brilliant cut diamonds.  It is rare to find a gem of this size come to auction in Scotland, with specialists estimating it could fetch £30,000 to £50,000 when it goes under the hammer. 

Dating to the late 18^th Century, the sale will also include an intricate Georgian diamond brooch, featuring a number of exquisite rose cut diamonds. The piece has been valued at £2,500 to £3,000.

With interest in gold and its investment potential continuing to grow, it is perhaps unsurprising to find some outstanding lots appearing in the Coins & Banknotes auction on 20^th March.  A set of ten gold sovereigns dating from 1880 to 1918, complete with fitted case, have an estimate of £3,000 to £4,000, while a beautiful set of 10 half sovereigns dating from 1878 to 1915 could fetch £2,000.

Join us for these stunning sales.

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