Would you buy a watch Rolex , Patek online from Christies Auction House?

[johnbeth]

Hi all!

I was looking at some PP watches online at Christies upcoming auctions, and was wondering, would you buy from them even though you can not attend to view the watch in question physically?

Since Christies have specialists on staff, do they authenticate pieces that they auction? Do they offer warranty if the watch in question was not as described or is it buyer be aware that you might get dupped?

If this has already been brought up before apologies for posting.

Thanks for your help everyone!

[Grumpy Badger]

Christies reputation is iron-clad! They wouldn't risk selling you a wrong 'un.

Personally, I'd prefer to see them in the flesh just to make sure they sang to me but I'd say you'll have NO worries with authenticity.

[FeelingTheBlues]

I would thrust them all the way! After all, some people will buy on Ebay which, in my mind, is much less safe so if you're sure the watch will fit you well why not?

[cecilia]

Absolutely.

[conrail]

Not Rolex as they won't ship to the US, but so long as you're comfortable with their condition report, any other watch is absolutely fine to purchase from them. I was following a few pieces just now in their Geneva auction - crazy prices. I wonder if people know what they're buying with some of these non-rare pieces.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by conrail

Not Rolex as they won't ship to the US, but so long as you're comfortable with their condition report, any other watch is absolutely fine to purchase from them. I was following a few pieces just now in their Geneva auction - crazy prices. I wonder if people know what they're buying with some of these non-rare pieces.

Johnbeth is in Aus so, even for Rolex, he's golden.

[Grumpy Badger]

Originally Posted by FeelingTheBlues

I would thrust them all the way!

What you do in your spare time really is none of our concern!

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Johnbeth is in Aus so, even for Rolex, he's golden.

Yea, must be nice ;-)

Christies also posts some annoyance about removing straps that are made from endangered species and refusing to ship them, probably again to the US.... I mean come on, the lil feller already laid down his life so let me enjoy him on my wrist already!!!

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

What you do in your spare time really is none of our concern!

Oh you have got to be kidding me!

Paging Judge Judy, I won't let you make me look more stupid than I usually do!

[dflojak]

Originally Posted by conrail

Not Rolex as they won't ship to the US, but so long as you're comfortable with their condition report, any other watch is absolutely fine to purchase from them. I was following a few pieces just now in their Geneva auction - crazy prices. I wonder if people know what they're buying with some of these non-rare pieces.

Regarding the post about Rolex, you can purchase preowned Rolex and bring it into the country if you have a receipt, or I am sure Christies can make arrangments. You can't import new Rolex in quantity, but can bring in one piece if you claim it at customs and pay the duty. Try to smuggle and get caught, you've got a problem.

Also, Christies has experts on staff that verify originality, although they won't guarantee it, that's up to the buyer/seller. The other thing, you have to pay a premium to Christie's for buying at auction, so posting here to find the same watch could save you money, can cost up to 20% premium for an item.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Grumpy Badger

Christies reputation is iron-clad! They wouldn't risk selling you a wrong 'un.

Personally, I'd prefer to see them in the flesh just to make sure they sang to me but I'd say you'll have NO worries with authenticity.

I wouldn't say Christie's reputation is iron clad. Just look at their wine fiasco. For the price of some of their auction items, I would trust Christie's as long as a third party can verify authenticity.

[Watch Professor]

Definitely.

[Mickey®]

I think it would add a bit of providence...I think that is the word I'm thinking of

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Mickey®

I think it would add a bit of providence...I think that is the word I'm thinking of

, Rhode Island? Perhaps provenance :) You've gota be careful what comes through these well-known auction houses; they're not experts in all brands, although they do see a lot of Pateks. Sotheby's had that issue last year with the "Tiffany & Co." dialed Daytona, which clearly wasn't Tiffany lettering, and a few other questionable dials.

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by conrail

, Rhode Island? Perhaps provenance :) You've gota be careful what comes through these well-known auction houses; they're not experts in all brands, although they do see a lot of Pateks. Sotheby's had that issue last year with the "Tiffany & Co." dialed Daytona, which clearly wasn't Tiffany lettering, and a few other questionable dials.

No...

prov·i·dence noun \ˈprä-və-dən(t)s, -ˌden(t)s\



Definition of PROVIDENCE

1
a often capitalized : divine guidance or care
b capitalized : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny
2
: the quality or state of being provident

[conrail]

Originally Posted by dflojak

Regarding the post about Rolex, you can purchase preowned Rolex and bring it into the country if you have a receipt, or I am sure Christies can make arrangments. You can't import new Rolex in quantity, but can bring in one piece if you claim it at customs and pay the duty. Try to smuggle and get caught, you've got a problem.

Also, Christies has experts on staff that verify originality, although they won't guarantee it, that's up to the buyer/seller. The other thing, you have to pay a premium to Christie's for buying at auction, so posting here to find the same watch could save you money, can cost up to 20% premium for an item.

"Bring it in" - yes, by hand. Christies won't ship ANY Rolex into the US from an overseas auction. New or pre-owned makes no difference, if you ship to the US and customs catches it, it'l get sent back.

"Rolex watches may not be shipped into the USA and can only be imported personally." - Christies

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Mickey®

No...

prov·i·dence noun \ˈprä-və-dən(t)s, -ˌden(t)s\



Definition of PROVIDENCE

1
a often capitalized : divine guidance or care
b capitalized : God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny
2
: the quality or state of being provident

Sorry, I thought you were looking for 'provenance.' But, I still don't understand where you're going with providence/state of being provident?? So, in a sentence, "Christies adds providence". Never heard that before, what does that mean?

[Mickey®]

Originally Posted by conrail

Sorry, I thought you were looking for 'provenance.' But, I still don't understand where you're going with providence/state of being provident?? So, in a sentence, "Christies adds providence". Never heard that before, what does that mean?

Divine Guidance or Care was the definition...Are you an English Major?

It was all good. Nothing Negative.

[conrail]

Originally Posted by Mickey®

Divine Guidance or Care was the definition...Are you an English Major?

It was all good. Nothing Negative.

No, bored at work :)

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by conrail

Sorry, I thought you were looking for 'provenance.' But, I still don't understand where you're going with providence/state of being provident?? So, in a sentence, "Christies adds providence". Never heard that before, what does that mean?

Thats what I was thinking. Provenance is a term used everyday in auctions. Providence, or the act of being provident... not so much

prov·e·nance (prv-nns, -näns) n
1. Place of origin; derivation.
2. a. The history of the ownership of an object, especially when documented or authenticated. Used of artworks, antiques, and books.
2. b. The records or documents authenticating such an object or the history of its ownership.

[johnbeth]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. I would have been inclined to buy a PP from Christies and everyone here has been great. In Australia they do tax on imports so yes I would have to factor that in. Also customs Australia they are strict with wildlife or anything made from it, so any exotic straps are out of the question .

[SPARTAN2161]

I'd trust them for sure! They have a awesome reputation

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by dflojak

The other thing, you have to pay a premium to Christie's for buying at auction, so posting here to find the same watch could save you money, can cost up to 20% premium for an item.

No kidding. Here's the buyer's premium chart, by location.
http://www.christies.com/features/gu...s-premium.aspx This is before they add sales tax/VAT and shipping.

For a UK Christie's watch sale, the fine print on Conditions of Sale states:
"The buyer’s premium is 25% of the final bid price of each lot up to and including £25,000, 20% of the excess of the hammer price above £25,000 and up to and including £500,000 and 12% of the excess of the hammer price above £500,000."


I would never consider paying this crazy markup, personally.