Auction round-up: April’s hidden gems

Regional auctioneers are often the best place to find rare and interesting investment jewellery and designer watches at affordable prices – and there are a number of dedicated sales taking place in April.

First up is Bishop & Miller in Stowmarket, Suffolk, which has a Jewellery auction on 1April, featuring a number of luxury timepieces. Highlights include a 1979 men’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller (£5,000-7,000), while jewellery picks include an exquisite Cartier hanging panther pendant, which comes with a guide price of £2,500-3,500.

Birmingham-based Fellows is a good bet for high-end pieces, and you’ll find plenty at its auction of Antique & Modern Jewellery on 13 April. Also featuring a number of affordable pieces from as little as £120, the sale has some notable designer lots such as a Cartier diamond disco ball pendant (£5,000-8,000), a pair of 1970s diamond and onyx earrings from Van Cleef & Arpels (£2,500-3,500) and a Boucheron brilliant-cut diamond ring (£20,000-30,000).

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Fellows is also holding one of its regular watch sales on 25 April, where you’ll find, for men, a Breitling Emergency Mission chronograph (£1,500-2,000), and for ladies, a TAG Heuer Carrera stainless steel chronograph (£1,000-1,500).

Offering examples of high-quality design and craftsmanship at a more affordable price, Bamford Auctioneers of Derby has a Jewellery and Watches Sale on 26 April. Key lots include a classic 1970s ladies Omega Seamaster with its original bracelet strap (£100-150) and an unusual Art Nouveau ladies fob watch in ogee form (£70-100).

A day later, and at the other end of the scale, Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury has some significant investment pieces in its Fine Jewellery auction on 27 April. Notable lots here are a four-row natural saltwater pearl necklace (£25,000-35,000), a pink diamond (2.77ct) pendant with GIA certification (£40,000-60,000) and, for those in the market for a rare and highly sought-after Kashmir sapphire, a simply stunning sapphire and diamond ring that comes with a guide price of £100,000-150,000.