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Sotheby’s to Host Groundbreaking Auction in Saudi Arabia Featuring Rare Watches, Jewellery, and Iconic Memorabilia

Sotheby’s is set to make history with its first-ever auction in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for February 8, 2025. The prestigious London-based auction house, founded in 1744, will host a groundbreaking cross-sector sale in the historic town of Diriyah

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The event, titled Origins, will feature a rare collection of luxury items, including iconic watches, jewellery, vintage cars, high-end handbags, and artworks by renowned Saudi Arabian artists.

Among the star lots are a Richard Mille watch, estimated between $1 million and $1.5 million, and a pair of Graff diamond earrings, valued at $700,000 to $800,000. The Richard Mille watch, a unique prototype crafted from ultra-lightweight titanium, was made for world champion sprinter Yohan Blake. The Graff earrings, set with two D-color pear-shaped diamonds weighing 9.39 and 8.46 carats, are expected to attract significant attention.

The sale will also feature a stunning selection of jewellery from iconic brands like Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Rolex, including an Art Deco Cartier sapphire and diamond bracelet (estimate: $275,000 to $325,000) and a sapphire and diamond ring featuring a 19.79-carat emerald-cut Burmese sapphire (estimate: $300,000 to $400,000).

For sports memorabilia enthusiasts, a game-worn Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1998 NBA Playoffs is set to fetch between $800,000 and $1.2 million.

In a groundbreaking move, Sotheby’s will also accept cryptocurrency as payment for all lots, making it the first time the auction house will allow digital currencies for all items at a sale. Sotheby’s previously accepted cryptocurrency for physical artworks in 2021, but this is the first time it will extend the option to all lots in a single auction.

The Origins sale will blend high-end luxury with cutting-edge payment options, setting the stage for a new era of auctions in Saudi Arabia.

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