BUYING & SELLING TIPS

Attend a Christies auction live on the web

Bidding at auction can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for those who are new to the game. The thought of bidding in a Christie’s high jewelry auction where the stakes easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars is even more daunting. But Christie’s Live is a great way to wet your feet.

I watched the December New York Jewels sale on the web and found myself riveted to the action. A camera allows a view of both the auctioneer and the screen where the lot being offered appears. As the bidding increases, the amount of each bid appears alongside the video. To bid yourself, register for the sale beforehand, then click the large bid button on the screen. It really couldn't be simpler.

Because Christie's Live only shows the auctioneer and the lot being offered, it’s a bit frustrating not being able to see the crowd – after all, people-watching would be half the fun of attending a Christie’s auction. Nor do you get a sense of who you might be bidding against, if indeed you are going to bid. 

However, there is a voyeuristic thrill in watching the action – a fly on a gilded wall feeling – and it is amusing to imagine who might be bidding on such fabulous jewels.

The whole process begins by signing up for My Christie’s, an account where you can track lots, choose account preferences such as currency, and place bids. My Christie’s is so remarkably efficient that within minutes of a JAR brooch (pictured here) that I was tracking being sold, I received an email alerting me of the hammer price.

It took a bit of hunting around the site to initially figure out how to load the Christie’s Live software. But once I called the technical support number and was directed to the download button, the process was very easy. The technician did admit, though, that the Christie’s Live software is more compatible with a PC than a MAC. Luckily I have both, but if you only have a MAC, the technical support team will guide you through a few more steps to get Christie’s Live working smoothly.

Christie’s has obviously invested hugely in their website and it shows. Images of each lot can be zoomed in on to show great detail. Condition reports can be accessed online. And all Christie’s auctions rooms worldwide can be viewed through Christie’s Live, so you can “attend” an auction in Hong Kong without ever leaving your home in London, Paris or New York.

The anonymity of bidding online would be perfect for a celebrity or royal. And for the auction-shy who break into a sweat at the thought of raising the paddle, online bidding is a dream.