Editor’s Note
This article reports on Christie’s successful auction events in Geneva, which proceeded as scheduled despite a significant website outage caused by a cyberattack. The resilience of the live auction format underscores the enduring importance of in-person events in the high-stakes world of luxury sales.
Geneva—Christie’s proceeded with two of its Geneva auctions, one for jewelry and one for watches, despite its website being down since late last week following a cyberattack.
The 202.18-carat fancy intense yellow diamond, dubbed “The Yellow Rose,” led Christie’s “Magnificent Jewels” sale, selling for CHF 6.1 million ($6.7 million), topping its pre-sale estimate of about CHF 4 million ($4.4 million). It is the second-highest price ever paid for a yellow stone weighing over 200 carats at Christie’s.
The jewelry sale took place on Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, bringing in CHF 49.2 million ($54.2 million) total. The auction was 97 percent sold by lot and 98 percent by value. It was livestreamed on YouTube, with registered bidders instructed to bid in real-time on Christie’s Live via a unique and secure link.
– An emerald and diamond brooch belonging to Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain sold for CHF 189,000 ($208,089).
– A 25.20-carat pink sapphire sold for CHF 1.4 million ($1.5 million), tripling its low-end estimate.
– A Van Cleef & Arpels “Liberté” turquoise and diamond suite sold for CHF 781,200 ($860,101), more than double its estimate.
– A Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger “Hedges and Rows” necklace fetched CHF 1.3 million ($1.4 million).
– Several Cartier pieces performed well, including a “Panthère” clip brooch (CHF 554,400/$610,395) and an Art Deco clock (over CHF 900,000/$1,050,000 after a half-hour bidding war).
– Signed animal pieces were particularly popular. A René Boivin lion shoulder brooch (c. 1985) sold for CHF 504,000 ($554,904).
Christie’s “Rare Watches” sale, including timepieces owned by Formula One driver Michael Schumacher, took place on Tuesday (pushed back one day due to the cyberattack). It was also livestreamed on YouTube.
The auction achieved a total of CHF 22.8 million ($25.2 million), with 164 pieces offered and 96 percent sold by lot. The top lot was a vintage Patek Philippe reference 1518, which sold for CHF 2.5 million ($2.7 million)—the highest price for a wristwatch sold this spring in Geneva.
Eight watches from Michael Schumacher’s private collection sold for just under CHF 4 million ($4.4 million). Highlights included:
– An engraved F.P. Journe “Vagabondage” gifted by his mentor Jean Todt, which sold for CHF 1.5 million ($1.6 million) against an estimate of CHF 2 million ($2.2 million).
– An Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph, also a gift from Todt, achieved CHF 415,800 ($457,380) against an estimate of CHF 150,000-250,000 ($165,000-$275,000).
As of press time, Christie’s main website remained down, redirecting visitors to a temporary page with contact details and catalogs.
