Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite Cyberattack
Though its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.

“The Yellow Rose” diamond, pictured above, was the top lot in its “Magnificent Jewels” sale in Geneva.
The 202.18-carat fancy intense yellow diamond sold for CHF 6.1 ($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 more than 200 carats at Christie’s, the auction house said.
The jewelry sale took place Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues and brought in CHF 49.2 million ($54.2 million) total. The auction was sold 97 percent by lot and 98 percent by value.
It was livestreamed on YouTube.
Registered bidders were instructed to bid in real time on Christie’s Live, its livestreaming platform, accessible via a unique and secure link shared by the auction house’s bids team.
Though its website was unavailable during the livestream, Christie’s noted it saw “deep bidding from a full saleroom, on the phones, and online.”
As of press time, the site was still down. Visitors are instead redirected to a temporary webpage with contact details and catalogs for upcoming auctions.
“There is nothing better as an auctioneer than a full and engaged sale room, and to achieve such strong results—97 percent by lot and 140 percent of the low estimate—is remarkable,” said Max Fawcett, Christie’s head of jewels for Europe.
“The market for colored gemstones and signed jewelry is on fire and I could not think of a better way to start the 2024 season.”
An emerald and diamond brooch belonging to Queen Victoria Eugenia of Spain sold for CHF 189,000 ($208,089), slightly above its high estimate of CHF 200,000 ($220,000).

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

In signed jewels, a suite of turquoise and diamond “Liberté” jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels sold for CHF 781,200 ($860,101), more than double its estimate of CHF 220,000-320,000 ($250,000-$350,000).
From Tiffany and Co., a Schlumberger “Hedges and Rows” necklace fetched CHF 1.3 million ($1.4 million), topping its high-end pre-sale estimate of CHF 400,000 ($445,000).
Several pieces by Cartier also were highlights of the sale, including a diamond, onyx, and emerald “Panthère” clip brooch that sold for CHF 554,400 ($610,395), above its highest pre-sale estimate, CHF 350,000 ($385,000).
An early Art Deco diamond and onyx brooch from the brand sold for CHF 579,600 ($638,140).
An Art Deco Clock by Cartier sold for more than CHF 900,000 ($1,050,000) following a half-hour long bidding war, nine times its pre-sale estimate.
Other pieces by Buccellati, Georges Fouquet, Tiffany & Co., Jean Schlumberger, Marina B, Van Cleef & Arpels, Sterlé and JAR also shone, Christie’s said, and signed animal pieces were particularly popular.

Christie’s “Rare Watches” sale including timepieces owned by Formula One driver Michael Schumacher took place Tuesday. Christie’s pushed the sale back one day because of the cyberattack.
It was also livestreamed on YouTube.
The auction achieved a total of CHF 22.8 million ($25.2 million). It offered 164 pieces and was 96 percent sold by lot.
The auction saw the highest price for a wristwatch sold this spring in Geneva, Christie’s said, a vintage Patek Philippe reference 1518 that sold for CHF 2.5 million ($2.7 million).
The watch is one of only 58 made in pink gold and one of 12 with a pink dial, the auction house said.

Remi Guillemin, Christie’s head of watches for EMEA and the Americas, said the sale saw strong global participation, particularly from the United States.
Eight watches from Schumacher’s private collection sold for just under CHF 4 million ($4.4 million). The offerings included timepieces by Rolex, F.P. Journe, and Audemars Piguet.
An engraved F.P. Journe “Vagabondage” gifted to Schumacher by his mentor Jean Todt sold for CHF 1.5 million ($1.6 million).
It was estimated to sell for CHF 2 million ($2.2 million).
Schumacher’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak chronograph, also a gift from Todt, achieved CHF 415,800 ($457,380) against an estimate of CHF 150,000 to 250,000 ($165,000 to $275,000).

Schumacher’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 6262 sold for CHF 315,000 ($346,500).
The timepiece is one of the rarest vintage Rolex Daytonas, Christie’s said, and was in production only from 1970-1972.
Another Rolex Ref. 6262 Daytona also shone. It is thought to be the only one with a “Paul Newman” dial made for the Peruvian Air Force. It sold for CHF 302,400 ($332,640).

Though each of the five watches were offered separately, the same buyer purchased Schumacher’s full F.P. Journe ruthenium collection, paying a total of CHF 1.7 million ($1.8 million) for the set.
“These results demonstrate the passion of international collectors for exceptional timepieces. Our sincere thanks go to our consigners as well as the Schumacher family, who entrusted us with the outstanding property of Michael Schumacher,” said Guillemin.
Christie’s said the “Rare Watches” sale results continue the success seen in Geneva with its charity sale, Only Watch, which took place earlier in the week.
It was 100 percent sold, raising CHF 28.3 million ($31.3 million), for medical research.
The Latest

Anne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”

Jewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.

Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Mark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.


While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.

The “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The special Classic Avi Chronograph 42 with an Eagles-green dial is limited to 59 pieces, a nod to the Super Bowl Philadelphia just won.

JSA has received reports of mobs swarming jewelry stores, driving cars into the storefront or smashing through the windows.

The “Kashmir” collection features centuries-old craft techniques made in collaboration with the region’s master papier-mâché artisans.

Creative Director Erica Bianchini shared why the jeweler is looking to expand into the U.S. and how it’s putting Canadian craftsmanship on the map.

Two Los Angeles Fire Department stations plan to use the donations to upgrade their equipment and tools.

Next week, the auction house will kick off a selling exhibition of jewelry by British artist Hannah Martin and Coldplay’s Guy Berryman.

“Stolen: Heist of the Century” is based on “Flawless,” the book about the middle-of-the-night theft, and will debut on Netflix in August.

Emmanuel Raheb shares the top five gifting moments outside of major holidays that jewelers should build marketing campaigns around.

The wholesale trade show’s Luxury Lifestyle section will showcase established and emerging jewelry designers.

As demand for custom jewelry grows, the company is expanding its services to support retailers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers is slated for Aug. 9 to 10 on Zoom.

Graduated stones make for elevated tennis-style pieces and dramatic statement necklaces.

Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.

The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025