Le Monde Edmond

October 19, 2013

Aurel Bacs: A giant is leaving

Fine WatchesCollector's Insight

Aurel Bacs is leaving Christies at the end of 2013.

Now that statement might not mean much to some. People come and go at auction houses all the time. But for readers not into collectible watches, let us give you some analogies. In the fashion world it would be like Arnault leaving LVMH. Want an investment comparison? Like Warren Buffet leaving Berkshire Hathaway. Larry Ellison departing Oracle. Or Henry Kravis saying goodbye to KKR. For the car aficionados perhaps an appropriate analogy would be like Ferdinand Piech leaving the Chairman position of  the Volkswagen Group. Or Luca di Montemezolo saying ‘arrivederci’ to Ferrari.


Of course companies will survive change.

The men taking over Christies watch department (Sam Hines & John Reardon will be co-heads) are very capable and have a proven track record. Not to forget the capable and charming Nathalie Monbaron. There is no doubt Christies will be force to reckon with in the watch world, as Bacs has built up a strong team there.

But just consider what Aurel Bacs has done in 10 years as head of the watch department at Christies. Sales went from $8m in 2003 to over $127m last year. It is estimated that he has sold over $1bn in watches so far in his watch auction career. He has brought collecting wristwatches to another level. Christies, in large part due to Aurel and his team, will probably be on track to deliver another record year in terms of watch sales.


Aurel Bacs is in more demand than ever.

Never has there been more interest in vintage watches with prices for individual watches breaking one record after another. His knowledge in watches is not only vast and unmatched, his passion and enthusiasm is unrivalled. Watching Aurel Bacs at auction is extremely entertaining (you get one of your last chances at the upcoming Geneva November auctions). Aurel is legendary for playing one bidder against the other in no less than four languages.

He is an artist on the auction floor rather than a salesman. Watching him on stage is like watching Nadal dominate the French open courts. It is just a true delight-even after four hours. He will be missed not only for his charismatic presence but for his politeness and correctness, which most other auctioneers can learn from.


We are very curious what Aurel Bacs will do in the coming months (he will be at Christies until December 2013) and years.

He is only in his early forties and demand for his services has never been stronger and his reputation never been better. He is right now on top of this game.

There are plenty of things he can do. Setting up his own advisory company doing ‘private treaty sales’, advising museums, large collectors, watch funds, writing blogs or even a book. I will be watching closely. We wish him well and are certain of one thing.

The best of Aurel Bacs – is yet to come.

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