ADAM'S Fine Jewellery & Ladies Watches 2nd December 2025

TUESDAY 2 ND DECEMBER 2025 . STARTING AT 4PM 106 99 * LA MONTRE ROYALE DE GENÈVE: A RARE LADY’S GEM-SET COCKTAIL WATCH, 1979 18-jewels manual wind movement, the circular dial ge - ometrically set with coral, onyx and brilliant-cut diamonds extending to the bezel, within fine ropetwist detailing, polished case with snap on back, to a fitted basket weave bracelet, coral crown, dial, case and movement signed, bracelet clasp with maker’s mark ‘JPE’ for Jean-Pierre Ecof- fey, case no. 58956 & 5729, London hallmarks for 1979, case: 33mm, length 19.2cm € 3,000 - 5,000 Jean-Pierre Ecoffrey was a master watch bracelet maker from the second half of the 20th century, produc- ing exceptional quality watch bracelets for brands such as Patek Philippe, and particularly known for his intricate mesh bracelets that feel like fabric such as the iconic Patek Philippe Ellipse. Roy Cecil King (1913–2000) was a pioneering British jew - eller and watch designer known for his technical precision and modern aesthetic. He began his career in 1927 as an apprentice at M. J. Greengross in Hatton Garden, later stud - ying diamond mounting at the Sir John Cass Technical Insti - tute. During the Second World War, he served as a planning engineer at de Havilland Aircraft, where he mastered ma - chine-tool techniques that would shape his later designs. After the war, King established his own workshop in Wat - ford, Hertfordshire, producing everything from tie pins to tiaras. By the early 1960s, when restrictions on the import of Swiss movements were lifted, he turned his focus increas- ingly to watchmaking, designing his own cases and brace - lets while securing an exclusive partnership with the Swiss movement manufacturer Bueche-Girod. In 1965, King built a purpose-made factory near Watford employing sixty-five people and producing around twen - ty-five thousand gold and silver pieces annually. His inno - vative “bark-finish” texture on rings, bracelets, and watches became a hallmark of his style and gained widespread at - tention in 1966 when Pattie Boyd wore one of his bark-finish wedding rings to marry George Harrison. King’s ambition extended to the international stage: in 1973 he acquired the Swiss watch company La Montre Royale de Genève, creating some of the most luxurious watches of the decade, especially admired in the Middle East. Among these was an exceptional example featuring a large black opal dial and heavy bark-finish bracelet crafted by JPE, a renowned maker of fine bracelets for houses such as Patek Philippe. Each piece exemplified King’s blend of artistry and engineering precision. Recognised for his achievements, King received a Nation - al Export Council Award in 1971, became a Freeman of the City of London, and in 1984 was honoured with a solo exhibition at Goldsmiths’ Hall. His work was later included in Treasures of the Twentieth Century at the same venue in 1999.