Christmas came early for collectors at Michael Bowman's recent December 3 auction at Chudleigh Town Hall, Devon, UK - described by the auctioneer as its "most successful sale in two years."

The event held no major surprises; rather a series of successful lots that were expected to do well, and attracted bidders from all around the UK.

Among these was a gent's 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Day/Date watch. A Devon-based collector secured this rare timepiece for £4,000, with its original 1983 Rolex guarantee certificate.

The 18ct gold Rolex Oyster Day/Date watch sold for £4,000

Also auctioned among the rare watches and jewellery was an aquamarine and diamond ring estimated at £2,500-3,000. The rectangular aquamarine weighed approximately 40 carats, flanked by six small round cut diamonds in a style appealing to collectors with a taste for art deco.

According to Michael Bowman, the ring caused a battle between two telephone bidders. Eventually the winning bid settled on £3,600, sold to "a regular mailing list" Michael Bowman client from London.

Also among the auction's numerous highlights was an Edwardian diamond and opal set butterfly brooch.

Aside from its eye-catching butterfly design, the ring also boasts two pear-shaped diamonds of significant size and an impressive wingspan of 3.2". 

This Edwardian diamond and opal set butterfly brooch brought £7,000

The brooch was auctioned housed in its original case and "in beautiful condition". In the end it sold for £7,000 to a bidder from Paul Fraser Collectibles' home city of Bristol.

Michael Bowman's next auction will be held on January 28, 2012, offering a collection of 25 pocket watches formed 30 years ago. These carry estimates of between £400 and £4,000 each. 

Several of the watches are 18ct gold hunter cased minute repeaters, and one is a musical example.

Watch this space for more news from Michael Bowman's upcoming auctions.