Auction rules

Each piece carries a published bid increment. Your next bid cannot sit below the current high plus that step. The piece page shows the step so you know what the next offer must clear.

Hammer time starts as the listed end. If a bid lands late, the clock can extend so other collectors can answer. Watch the piece clock, not only the original catalogue end.

Some pieces carry a reserve. If bidding finishes below that line, the piece can end without a sale. You may see a reserve-not-met outcome in that case. The house decides whether to offer the piece again later.

Catalogue estimates are a broad guide from past sales and house judgment. They are not a prediction of the hammer and they are not a valuation for insurance. Bid what the watch is worth to you.

While a sale is live you may see yourself as leading or outbid. After close, a piece can show as won or lost from your side. Sold, ended, reserve not met, and cancelled are house outcomes on the auction itself.

Amounts are public on the floor. Names stay with staff. We do not publish a public bid book.