Christie's holds two auctions despite cyberattack

GENEVA — Although Christie’s website has been down since late last week following a cyberattack, the company went ahead with two Geneva auctions, one for jewelry and one for watches.

The 202-carat colored diamond pictured above, known as the "Yellow Rose," was the top lot at the "Magnificent Jewels" auction in Geneva, leading Christie's Magnificent Jewels sale, where a buyer paid $6.7 million for the gem.

The 202.18 carat Fancy Intense yellow diamond sold for 6.1 million Swiss francs ($6.7 million), exceeding its high estimate of about 4 million Swiss francs ($4.4 million).

Christie's said it was the second-highest price ever paid for a yellow diamond over 200 carats at auction.

The jewellery sale, held on Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues, brought in 49.2 million Swiss francs ($54.2 million), with 97 per cent of lots sold and 98 per cent of lots sold by value.

The auction was live streamed on YouTube.

Registered bidders were instructed to bid in real time on its live streaming platform, Christie's Live, accessible via a unique secure link shared by the auction house's bidding team.

While the Christie’s website was unavailable during the livestream, Christie’s noted that it saw “vigorous bidding from across the saleroom, on the phone and online.”

At press time, the site was still down. Visitors were redirected to a temporary webpage with contact details and catalogs for upcoming auctions.

Max Fawcett, Christie’s head of European jewellery, said: “For an auctioneer, there is nothing better than a packed, packed saleroom and to achieve such strong results – 97 per cent of lots sold and 140 per cent of low estimates – is truly remarkable.”

“The market for colored gemstones and signed jewelry is on fire, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the 2024 auction season.”

An emerald and diamond brooch of Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain sold for 189,000 Swiss francs ($208,089), just above its high estimate of 200,000 Swiss francs ($220,000).

Another colored gemstone, a 25.20-carat pink sapphire, also stood out, selling for 1.4 million Swiss francs ($1.5 million), triple its low-end pre-sale estimate of 450,000 Swiss francs ($500,000).

Among the signed jewels, a set of Van Cleef & Arpels turquoise and diamond "Liberté" jewels sold for 781,200 Swiss francs ($860,101), more than double its estimate of 220,000-320,000 Swiss francs ($250,000-350,000).

A Schlumberger “Hedges and Rows” necklace from Tiffany sold for 1.3 million Swiss francs ($1.4 million), exceeding its high-end pre-sale estimate of 400,000 Swiss francs ($445,000).

Several Cartier pieces were also highlights of the sale, including a diamond, onyx and emerald “Panthère” clip brooch that sold for 554,400 Swiss francs ($610,395), above its high estimate of 350,000 Swiss francs ($385,000).

An early Art Deco diamond and onyx brooch from the brand sold for 579,600 Swiss francs ($638,140).

After a half-hour bidding war, an Art Deco clock by Cartier sold for more than 900,000 Swiss francs ($1,050,000), nine times its estimated price.

Christie's said a lion shoulder brooch made around 1985 and signed by René Boivin was bought by a buyer on the spot for 504,000 Swiss francs ($554,904) above the pre-sale estimate after about four minutes of intense bidding.

By Lauren McLemore

(Source: National Jeweler)
(Translated by: Xiaowen)

(Editor: Jiang Qiming)

(Source: New Sancai Compilation and First Release)