Auction round-up: Valuable finds for May

Buying at auction doesn't have to mean parting with monumental sums of money, and there are items to suit every budget in the specialist sales taking place throughout May. For those looking to invest in something particularly rare and valuable, there also are some exciting lots on offer. Here's what caught our eye at some of this month's upcoming sales.

Based in Birmingham's historic jewellery quarter, Fellows is renowned for its fine jewellery auctions and, on 11 May, it's holding a sale of antique and modern pieces. Featuring renowned brands such as Cartier, Tiffany and Bulgari, highlights include an Art Deco Boucheron ring with an engraved lapis lazuli cabochon (£3,000-4,000), a Cartier diamond geometric collar (£4,500-5,500), and a pair of 18ct gold 'Happy Diamonds' earrings from Chopard (£800-1,200).

Chiswick Auctions, meanwhile, has several promising sales coming up in May, including a jewellery auction on 9 May. Key lots include an enamel, ruby and pearl fringe necklace dating from circa 1875, from famed Italian goldsmith Carlo Giuliano (£8,000-10,000), and an early 1970s brilliant-cut diamond dress ring by Liverpool-based David M Robinson (£15,000-20,000). Later in the month, on Tuesday 23, the auction house has a sale of designer handbags and fashion, featuring such covetable items as a rare Hermes Tosca Pink Epsom Birkin 35 from 2012 (£4,000-6,000), a 1990s Chanel hot pink silk medium Classic Flap bag (£600-800) and a Junya Watanabe Comme de Garcons gown in patchwork black synthetic leather and fabric from circa 2014 (£300-500).

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Also in London, Lyon & Turnbull has an auction of jewellery, watches and handbags on 4 May. Among the gems on offer are a 6.04ct cushion-cut sapphire and diamond ring (£12,000-18,000), while highly collectable watches for sale include a ladies gold and diamond-set Reverso Joaillerie bracelet watch from Jaeger LeCoultre (£3,000-5,000) and a men’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II white-gold chronograph (£15,000-20,000).

Rolex watches are always popular at auction, but if you're in the market for an incredibly rare timepiece, then head to Gardiner Houlgate in Bath on 24 May, where you'll have the chance to bid for a truly collectable item – a Rolex Submariner 5513 stainless steel bracelet watch dating from 1964 and featuring a rare Explorer 3-6-9 dial. These limited-edition Submariners were believed to have been produced in very small numbers during the late 1950s and early 1960s, and this example was bought by the present owner in 1976. It comes with an estimate of £80,000-120,000.