May 17, 2024

10kt. round box link diamond-cut chain with rhodium, 24-inch, 27.4 grams. $1,800.00 CAD. 431-00820

The variety of chain styles we encounter seem almost endless. We have never seen this particular design and don’t even know what to call it. Even trying to describe it is going to be a challenge. What we can tell you is it measures almost 3.2mm in diameter and consists of interlocking 4 segment links, with a diamond cut faceted pattern. It has been further enhanced with white rhodium giving it a sparkle like it was set with thousands of tiny diamonds. The round profile means it will never look twisted. It is quite substantial feeling with a substantial finished weight of 27.4 grams. At 24 inches long it will fit over most heads without the need to undo the large lobster clasp. The chain is suitable for either a gentleman or a lady, and can be worn with or without a pendant. It is in perfect condition and was only worn a few times according to the original owner. This unique necklace is estate priced at only $65.69 per gram for those of you who like to compare our value. Total price is $1,800.00 CAD. Stock #431-00820.

2017 Tag Heuer Jack Heuer Ltd. Ed. Autavia CBE2111 42.7mm $5,200.00 CAD. 520-00124.

Jack Heuer is the great-grandson of company founder Edouard Heuer, who established the company back in 1885. Jack Heuer was instrumental in designing one of the world’s most renowned wrist chronographs in 1963, the Carrera. The Autavia is a model that goes much further back into Heuer’s history. In the 1930s Heuer developed a dashboard timer that could be used both in automobiles as well as in aircraft. The name Autavia is derived from AUTomobile and AVIAtion. The Autavia moniker was revived in 1962 when Jack Heuer launched the first new watch while the company was under his direction. To celebrate the 85th anniversary of Jack’s birth, Tag Heuer introduced a limited-edition tribute watch that was highly influenced by the original 1962 version. The new edition was limited to just 1932 pieces worldwide. Our example is number 0825/1932. It was originally purchased at Birks Jewellers Canada. It has been lightly worn since that time in  responsible manner and maintains the original finish in our opinion. It displays some minor surface scratches on the buckle, case, and bracelet. The completely high polished finish can be fully restored within an hour by one of our onsite technicians if you wish. With a worldwide run of fewer than 2000 pieces, these watches were almost completely spoken for before they hit the showcases of authorized agents. A perfect condition 227-page hardcover book documenting the history of the Autavia is part of this limited edition package. This rare book is in perfect condition, its spine isn’t even creased. A book like this is a must for any vintage watch enthusiast. The watch is powered by Tag Heuer’s in-house manufactured Tag-Heuer calibre 02. This 33-jewel automatic winding certified chronometer mechanism has a generous 75-hour power reserve while running at an industry standard 28,800 cycles per hour. When this watch was available it carried a price of $6,050.00 in the U.S.A and $7,200.00 in Canada. We may never see another one of these rare watches again. Originally purchased through an authorized agent; this is not a grey market import, and not subject to import duties in Canada. The classic silver panda dial is beautiful with a radial sunburst finish. The hands and hour markers are treated with luminous pigment that is quite effective. I love the fact that this tribute to Jack and the Autavia comforms to the spirit of the original using only the old HEUER logo and not the more modern TAG HEUER on the dial, buckle, and crown. The Comes complete with all the original packaging, booklet, instructions, bill of sale for $7,200.00 plus tax, and even the outside cardboard box sleeve displaying style and serial number. This all-original, excellent condition estate example is priced at $5,500.00 CAD including our complimentary 1-year warranty. Stock #520-000124.

May 16, 2024

1.00ct. tw. SI1-J gents 14kt gold diamond ring, 18.9 grams, size 12. $2,400.00 CAD. 116-00098

Mass produced gents rings are never built like this one. With the price of gold at new all time highs, the basic commodity costs for material, make producing a quality ring like this for a reasonable price difficult. Add to that the cost of decent quality natural diamonds, a somewhat weak Canadian dollar and the price can easily balloon. If you are a big guy and need a larger size the problem is compounded because the shanks of production rings are usually super skinny to keep the price in line. No such problem with this custom made ring. It is a large finger size of 12, it weighs a heavyweight 18.9 grams, and contains 5 nice quality SI-J round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 1.00 carat in total, all cut to an excellent standard. The channel set stones are showcased in harder and more flattering white gold. The ring measures 8.9mm wide at the top and tapers only less than a millimeter to 8.1mm at the bottom, with a shank thickness of 2.1mm. This ring was handmade to last several lifetimes. It remains in excellent condition and shows no worn areas. You’d have a hard time producing a new ring of this weight and quality without any diamonds for our estate price. Add the 1.00 carat of natural diamonds and our estate price of just $2,400.00 is impossible to beat. The ring can be adjusted up or down a couple of sizes if needed. Stock #116-00098.

2.83 carat natural emerald & diamond (40=0.75ct. VS-G) ring, 5.8gr., sz. 7, $5,200.00 CAD. 206-00519

Regardless of price, its rare to see a decent quality emerald. The nature of emerald causes the vast majority of them to grow heavily included. Even semitransparent emerald is uncommon and finding one with decent colour at the same time is truly a rare occurrence. Our most recent estate emerald ring exhibits fantastic clarity with only minor inclusions, and very nice green colour; not too pale and not too dark. Emeralds are a specific variety of the mineral beryl. Two other popular beryl gems are aquamarine and morganite. Pure beryl is completely colourless, under the right conditions, beryl can form in almost any colour. If there is sufficient chromium in the natural environment when a beryl crystal is growing, mother nature produces a green emerald. Sometimes the colour is so pale you can hardly see any green and sometimes they are an opaque green that is overly saturated. This one turned out great. The oval faceted mixed cut measures a substantial 10.6mm x 8.8mm x 5.6mm and is conservatively estimated to weigh 2.87 carat. There is a good chance it weighs slightly over 3.00 carat but we’re not curious enough to pull it out of the setting to find out exactly. This rare stone shows not wear, scuffs, scratches, or nicks along the edges. It has been set in an premium quality 18 karat white and yellow gold setting containing 40 round brilliant cut diamonds. The bead set diamonds on the shoulders form a braided pattern. Yellow gold claws are very flattering to the rich green gem they secure. This ring remains in original condition. The warm hue, white gold alloy of the rest of the ring is beginning to show through the rhodium plating on areas where it is wearing through. We can apply a fresh rhodium plating after the ring size is adjusted if requested. The ring remains in its original unpolished form. Inside the shoulders is a decorative lattice design that keeps this large ring from becoming too top heavy, while at the same time offering easy cleaning access to the diamonds. Emeralds are more rare than diamonds and in exceptional quality are more expensive too. If you aren’t happy with the quality of your emerald, or you want a very nice one offering exceptional value, you need to see this beautiful ring. Estate priced at $5,200.00 CAD. Stock #206-00519.

SOLD

May 15, 2024

Tag Heuer 4000 automatic WF2110-K 38mm $1,200.00 CAD. 520-00104

The Tag Heuer 4000 series was built like no other Tag before or since. This was a model that is often overlooked but is worth considering; it was well ahead of its time when it debuted more than 30 years ago. Despite the low profile of just over 10mm, this is one tough watch. It has solid bracelet end pieces instead of hollow stamped sections. The solid ends are secured by solid bushed rivets, not hollow spring bars like most watches. Its solid stainless steel links are secured by more rivets, not split pins as found on other Tag Heuer watches from the same period. Even the folding/locking buckle is made from heavier gauge steel while still offering a diver’s extension. The coloured Tag Heuer logo splits down its middle when the bezel timer is rotated is a quirky feature exclusive to the 4000 series. The original tritium hands and hour makers are fully intact showing almost no patina or discolouration. This is a curious and rare white dial automatic version. It is somewhat usual in the fact the hour markers don’t have a contrasting metal or coloured frame around the once luminous tritium plot. This gives the hour makers an inconspicuous appearance that is somewhat at odds with a sporty diver’s watch. A hardened synthetic crystal also in perfect condition offers excellent optics on or off-axis. We serviced the Swiss-made automatic winding movement in April 2023. An electronic report shows the watch is running well within accuracy expectations. Also included is a vacuum and pressure testing report to a depth of 10 atmospheres (300 feet). One-way timer bezel, screw-down crown/case back are features you’d expect for a sporting Tag Heuer and the 4000 has them. The original sandblasted finish has held up very well and looks completely original. If you want a tough Tag Heuer that is different than the common 2000/AquaRacer series this rare 4000 is a model you’re not likely to encounter and certainly not in this sort of condition. Including a complimentary 1-year Bill Le Boeuf Jewellers warranty. Estate priced at $1,200.00 CAD. Stock #520-00104.