Editor’s Note
Sotheby’s will make history on February 8 with its first international auction in Saudi Arabia. The “Origins” sale in Diriyah will feature 119 lots—from Saudi and international art to digital works and luxury items—valued at up to $22 million, with cryptocurrency accepted as payment. This event marks a significant moment for the kingdom’s growing cultural market.
The renowned auction house Sotheby’s will hold its first international auction in Saudi Arabia on February 8. The evening sale, titled “Origins,” will be divided into two parts and will include works of art by Saudi artists alongside prominent names from international art history, digital art, sports memorabilia, and luxury handbags.
The estimated value of the 119 lots to be auctioned in Diriyah ranges from $16 million to $22 million, and cryptocurrencies will be accepted as a form of payment for all lots.
Among the auction highlights are luxury watches and jewelry from brands such as Richard Mille, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Harry Winston, Tiffany, and David Webb, among others.
One of the main lots is a prototype Richard Mille RM038 “Yohan Blake” watch, with an estimated value of between $1 million and $1.5 million. Yohan Blake, the celebrated Jamaican sprinter, won silver medals in the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the 2012 London Olympics, behind Usain Bolt. However, he won gold as part of the Jamaican team in the 4 x 100 relay. This prototype watch was specially designed for Blake, who used it for testing during those Olympic Games.
The RM038 is one of 11 watches to be offered at the auction. Among them are:
– **Rolex Reference 6264 Daytona “Paul Newman Musketeer”**: A 37mm stainless steel chronograph with a “Musketeer” dial and bracelet, manufactured around 1970. Its estimated value is between $160,000 and $320,000.
– **Patek Philippe Reference 5070P-001**: A 42mm platinum chronograph, individually sealed, manufactured in 2008. Its estimate is between $150,000 and $200,000.
– **Cartier Crash Unique, commissioned in yellow gold, circa 2007**: This commissioned yellow gold Cartier Crash watch has an estimated value of $130,000 to $260,000. According to Sotheby’s, original Crash models were produced in limited quantities, with production continuing in very small editions in 1991, 2019, and 2022. This model was specifically designed for a prominent private client.
The main lot among the jewelry is a pair of Graff earrings, featuring pear-shaped diamonds of 9.39 and 8.46 carats, suspended from lines of small round diamonds. The 9.39-carat diamond is D color and VVS1 clarity, while the 8.46-carat diamond is D color and internally flawless.
Other important jewelry for sale includes:
– **Sapphire and Diamond Ring**: A ring centered with an unheated 19.79-carat emerald-cut Burmese sapphire, flanked by pairs of trapezoid and bullet-cut diamonds. Its estimate is between $300,000 and $400,000.
– **Art Deco Cartier Bracelet**: This bracelet, designed around 1927, features a geometric design with pierced panels set with four cushion-cut sapphires. It is decorated with old European, single, and baguette-cut diamonds. The largest sapphire is of Ceylon origin with no signs of heating, while the remaining three are of Burmese origin, also unheated. Its estimated value is between $275,000 and $325,000.
– **Sapphire and Diamond Necklace**: A necklace with 12 oval, cushion, and heart-shaped sapphires weighing a total of 80.11 carats.
