Twenty four watches from Hollywood actor Russell Crowe’s personal collection have been sold by Sotheby’s Australia in an auction named The Art of Divorce.
Mr Crowe promoted the sale across social media as a means of raising money to pay for his divorce from Danielle Spencer.
The couple separated in 2012 after a 13 year marriage, and the Sotheby’s auction took place on what would have been their 15th anniversary.
In a statement following the auction, Sotheby’s said: “Sotheby’s Australia auctioned the private collection of actor, film producer, director and musician, Russell Crowe. The sale included an important collection of Australian art, decorative arts, watches and jewellery, together with music and sporting memorabilia, and costumes, props, musical instruments and items from Crowe’s extensive and diverse career in film and music. Consisting of 226 items, the sale realised over $3.7 million with 144.5% sold by value.”
The highest price achieved among the watches on sale was for a ‘late 1990s’ gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona from ref 16528, which sold for $48,800, roughly in line with its pre-sale estimate.
An 18ct gold Omega automatic from around 1945 smashed its pre-sale estimate of $1500 when it went under the hammer for $11,590.
The collection of 24 watches, including pieces from Panerai, Breitling, Cartier and Chopard, sold for a total of $269,500, including buyers’ premiums.
