Engraved cufflinks have been the mark of distinguished gentlemen for centuries.
No more was this true than for the Duke of Windsor. Formerly King Edward VII, he embodied English style and was the most photographed man in the world for a time.
His sartorial sense defined the gentleman’s attire of the day, to the extent that even the way he tied his neckwear took on his name – the Windsor knot.
Another essential part of his wardrobe was his cufflinks. His cufflink collection was one of the greatest in the world. And prize amongst them were his engraved cufflinks.
He owned the most expensive set of cufflinks ever sold at auction. It was a set made by Cartier London that consisted of double sided cufflinks engraved with E & W.
On the back they were engraved Edward 23/6/35, and Wallis 19/6/35. Estimated to bring £70,000 – 90,000, the set sold for a record £115,250 in 1987.