Hong Kong Autumn Sales break Asia record

Hong Kong Autumn Sales break Asia record, surpassing HK$2 billion mark

CHRISTIE’S MAKES HISTORY IN ASIA SURPASSING HK$2 BILLION MARK IN AUTUMN SALES



Christie's Hong Kong concluded the 2007 Hong Kong Autumn Sales yesterday by realizing a staggering total of HK$ 2.1 billion (US$270 million/£130 million/€182 million),  the highest total for any series of sales in Asia, comprising art, jewellery and watches.  This reflects a remarkable 28% increase from our Autumn 2006 sales.  Combined with our 2007 Spring sale which totalled HK$1.52 billion, our annual total of HK$3.62 billion (US$466million / £224 million / €314 million ) breaks the record for highest annual sales total set by any auction house in Asia, an enviable record also held by us in 2006.  With record-breaking sales across multiple categories, Christie's continues to be a market leader in Asia and has successfully established Hong Kong as a major center in the global art market alongside New York and London.



• Highest total for any series of sales in Asia at HK$2.1 billion, comprising sales in art, watches and jewellery

• Highest total ever for any Asian Contemporary Art sale

• Highest total for an Indian and Pakistani art sale in Hong Kong

• Highest total for a Southeast Asian Contemporary art sale in Hong Kong

• Highest total ever in Chinese Classical Paintings

• Highest total for a jewellery auction in Asia

• Highest total for any watch sale in Asia

• World auction records across categories



Hong Kong – Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, concluded five days of record-breaking sales with the most significant and strongest series of sales ever held in Asia, totaling HK$2,106,117,250 (US$ 270,425,455/£ 130,158,046/€ 182,389,754). This is the highest ever achieved in a sales season in Asia and is a 28% increase over Christie’s record-breaking Autumn 2006 sales (HK$1.64 billion/US$211 million/£101.5 million/€ 143 million). Selling to rooms consistently packed with international buyers and online and phone bidders, Christie’s sale has firmly established Hong Kong as one of the most important auction centers in the world and underscores Christie’s market-leading position. Together with its 2007 Spring sales which realized HK$1.52 billion in Hong Kong, the Autumn sale concludes a record year for Christie’s Hong Kong with an annual sales of HK$3.62 billion (US$466 million/£ 224 million /€ 314 million), the highest annual sales total ever set by any auction house in Asia.



Edward Dolman, Chief Executive Officer of Christie’s International, said, “Surpassing the HK$2 billion mark is a major milestone. The tremendous success of this sale series once again demonstrates Christie’s leadership in Asia and underscores Hong Kong’s position as a significant center for the art market alongside New York and London. Asia is extremely important to Christie’s, and we will continue to raise the bar in this region.”



The sales saw buyers from around the world participating on the phone, in the room and online through Christie’s LIVE. Participation from Asia was 83% (of which 69% were from Greater China), with others coming from the Americas at 7%, Europe at 9%, and other regions including the Middle East, at 1%. 





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以下僅節錄與我們部門有關的部份:



CHRISTIE’S DOMINATES

JEWELLERY AND WATCH MARKETS IN ASIA



With 11 pieces eclipsing the US$1 million mark, Magnificent Jewellery and Jadeite Jewellery ensured that the trend of spectacular sales at Christie’s in Hong Kong continued. The sale totaled HK$368,240,875 (US$57,318,952/£22,867,758/€31,816,012), a remarkable growth of 14% over Christie’s Spring 2007 sale and 21% compared with Autumn 2006, making it the largest jewellery auction ever in Asia and giving Christie’s a 54% market share in the region. The top lot was a magnificent 31.92 carat D color, FL diamond briolette, the largest diamond briolette ever offered at auction in the region. It sold to a private collector for HK$24,967,500 (US$3,208,324/£1,550,482/ €2,157,192).



Enthusiastic participation from watch collectors around the world continued the momentum of the previous few days by concluding the most successful watch auction ever presented in Asia, realising a total of HK$ 116,140,375 (US$14,912,424/£7,177,475 / €10,057,756), a 62% increase above Christie’s Spring 2007 season and 82% above last Autumn. Two star lots sold for a remarkable HK$5,031,500 (US$646,045/ £310,947 / €435,728) – a Patek Philippe 18K pink gold automatic perpetual calendar minute repating wristwatch with phases of the moon (Ref. 3974R), and a Patek Philippe 18K pink gold perpetual calendar minute repeating tourbillon chronometer wristwatch with retrograde date and phases of the moon (Ref. 5016R). This sale also witnessed the highest valued lot bought online at Christie’s LIVE (Christie’s real-time online bidding feature), a unique Patek Philippe clock watch, which was sold at HK$3,847,500 (US$494,019/ £237,776 / €333,194) to an Asian private collector.



Ken Yeh, Christie’s Deputy Chairman, Asia, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the results of our sales and look forward to continued growth in Asia. By offering exceptional objects that are carefully curated, attractively estimated and exquisitely presented by our highly regarded specialists, Christie’s is well positioned to take the lead in setting new directions for the Asian art market.”