Sotheby’s Geneva Celebrates 40 Years With New Office and Big Plans for 2017

By Sotheby's

S otheby’s Geneva is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an expanded sales calendar for 2017 and a brand new dedicated office space.

As well as the introduction of exhibitions and selling exhibitions, public lectures, courses and evening events, the new premises at 2 Rue François Diday will help to further improve the exceptional and tailor-made service to which our clients are already accustomed.

Located at the very heart of the city, just ten minutes from the lakefront, the new building is situated in the protected historic old town and forms part of the city’s ‘banking quarter’, established in the latter part of the 19th century. The building was created in 1920-21 by Marc Camoletti, whose most famous projects include two prominent Geneva buildings: the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire and the imposing city post office on rue du Stand.

Over the past 20 years, Sotheby’s Geneva has achieved a combined sales total of $2.6 billion. Recent highlights from the jewels sales include the Blue Moon of Josephine, which sold for $48.5 million in November 2015 and holds the world record price per carat for a diamond. The office also holds the record price for a fancy vivid pink diamond (the “Unique Pink”, $21.6 million, 2016) and for a ruby (the “Sunrise Ruby”, $30.3 million, 2015).

David Bennett, Co-Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland and Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division commented: “As Sotheby’s jewellery sales go from strength to strength, now is the perfect time for us to expand our plans for the region and to enhance the experiences we can offer to the world’s top collectors. There’s no doubt that 2017 is set to be our busiest yet.”

Sotheby’s Geneva watches sales have also demonstrated significant success and growth in recent years. In November 2014, Sotheby’s made history in Geneva with the sale of the Patek Philippe Henry Graves “Supercomplication”. The unparalleled pocket watch established a new world auction record price for any timepiece, selling for $24 million.

Further to the success of auctions of Jewellery and Watches, the Geneva office is also the leading European sourcing office for global sales. Every year, approximately 60% of consignments sourced in Europe originate in Switzerland.

Caroline Lang, Co-Chairman of Sotheby’s Switzerland and Chairman, Impressionist, Contemporary and Modern Art, Switzerland said: “When big sales grab the global headlines, Switzerland is often there, discreetly, either as the place from which great paintings emanate, or as their new-found home. Our new space in Geneva is testament to that – allowing us the opportunity to do more for the many great collectors who live here and to diversify in the region.”

For further information please contact the office on the following details:

2, Rue François-Diday
1204 Geneva
Switzerland

Tel: +41 22 908 48 00
Fax: +41 22 908 48 01
geneva@sothebys.com

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