Jussi Pylkkänen, Auctioneer & Global President of Christie’s, during the sale held in Dubai.

Christie’s auctions of Modern and Contemporary Art and Important Watches held this week in Dubai totaled $10,590,875/ AED 38,900,284, with impressive sell-through rates of 89% and 96% respectively.

A pioneer in the sale of both categories, having held its first art sale in Dubai in 2006 and the first stand- alone Important Watch sale in 2013, Christie’s had bidders from 25 countries with approximately 15% new to Christie’s. 

The Important Watches auction, which was an integral part of the inaugural Dubai Watch Week, made $3,428,500 /AED12,592,880, setting several records for references from famous watchmakers as well as establishing the highest total for any watch auction in the Middle East

One of the important watches auctioned in the sale.

“We have always prided ourselves on only offering the very best art and watches at our auctions and each season this commitment is rewarded by enthusiastic bidding from existing and new clients. In last night’s sale of Modern and Contemporary Art, nine out of the top ten lots sold above estimate, a sign of the continuing confidence shown by collectors at the top end with nine of the buyers registered as Middle Eastern private collectors. All were chasing top quality works by the established names in this market. Tonight’s Important Watches auction confirmed the ever increasing strength of the collectors watch market in the Middle East, with clients from around the world participating. Next season, Christie’s will be celebrating its 10th anniversary here in Dubai and we looking forward to including some exciting new additions to the schedule,” announced Michael Jeha, Managing Director of Christie’s Middle East.

One of the art pieces in the auction, “Mahmoud Sa d La Négresse aux bracelets 1926 oil on canvas”.

Christie’s has a global presence with 54 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Mumbai. More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in growth markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.