Christie’s launches new auction calendar for summer

Christie’s has announced the new auction calendar for June and July across its luxury categories. The revised calendar includes the rescheduled Geneva, Hong Kong, and New York luxury weeks, and features a wider offering of live and online sales across its global sites in Paris, Hong Kong, Geneva, New York and London. The schedule includes a total of 22 live and online luxury sales that will take place from June through to the end of July, featuring over 1,500 lots of jewels, watches, handbags & accessories, with estimates ranging from up to $4m (£3.2m). Three online sales will take place in June, leading into the 19 distinct auctions to be hosted in July, beginning with fine jewels in Paris on 8 July, and ending with handbags and accessories in London on 31 July. Chriatie’s said that it “witnessed unprecedented online engagement” with registered clients in the first part of the year, with new bidders representing as much as 80% for select sales. In particular, “strong” results were achieved across its luxury categories with sell-through rates ranging from 89% through 99%, and overall sale totals “achieving well past their pre-sale estimates”. Aline Sylla-Walbaum, Christie’s global managing director of luxury at Christie’s, said: “Christie’s Jewels was the first department to explore the online sales platform when we offered over 900 lots from The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor in 2011, with a sale result of 100% by lot. “Over the past decade, we have developed our online offering to encompass thoughtfully curated sales across all selling categories and our client experience has been enhanced to make online buying a convenient yet reliable option.” She added: “Year-over-year, we have seen an increase in online participation and the value threshold for transacting online and client interests that culminated since March with exceptional results. “Recognizing greater client confidence, we are proud to announce the robust sale calendar for June and July to include a strategic blend of online and live auctions across all of our operating regions.“