Phillips
The contemporary specialist — 20th and 21st century art, design, and watches.
Phillips: The Auction House for Contemporary Culture
Phillips was founded in 1796 by Harry Phillips, a former senior clerk at Christie's, making it one of the oldest auction houses in the world. After a turbulent period in the early 2000s that included a brief merger with the de Pury & Luxembourg firm, Phillips re-emerged as a focused, boutique auction house with a sharp contemporary sensibility. Today, with headquarters in London and New York, Phillips has carved out a distinctive identity as the auction house of choice for collectors of 20th and 21st century art, design, watches, and jewelry.
A Distinct Contemporary Focus
Where Christie's and Sotheby's span the entire arc of art history, Phillips has deliberately narrowed its lens. The house concentrates on modern and contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on emerging and mid-career artists. This focused approach has made Phillips the go-to venue for collectors seeking cutting-edge work, and the house regularly achieves strong results for artists who are setting the pace of the current market.
Phillips' design department is equally distinguished, offering sales of 20th century furniture, lighting, and decorative objects by masters such as Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Gio Ponti, and George Nakashima. These design sales attract a sophisticated clientele that values the intersection of art, architecture, and craftsmanship.
Watches: A Market Leader
Phillips' watch department, operated in association with Bacs & Russo, has become the dominant force in the collector watch market. Under the leadership of Aurel Bacs, widely regarded as the world's foremost watch auctioneer, Phillips has achieved record prices for Patek Philippe, Rolex, and independent watchmakers. The house's Geneva and New York watch sales are among the most anticipated events on the horological calendar, regularly attracting global media attention and setting benchmarks for the industry.
Buyer's Premium and Costs
Phillips charges a buyer's premium that is generally aligned with the major auction houses. The tiered premium is approximately 26% on the first $600,000, 21% on the portion from $600,001 to $6,000,000, and 14.5% on any amount above $6,000,000. Rates are specified in each sale's conditions and may vary by location.
| Department | Phillips' Position | Key Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Art | Leading specialist; emerging artist focus | Christie's, Sotheby's |
| 20th Century Design | Top-tier furniture and lighting sales | Wright, Rago |
| Watches | Market leader via Bacs & Russo | Christie's, Sotheby's |
| Jewelry | Growing program, contemporary emphasis | Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams |
| Photography | Dedicated photography sales | Christie's, Sotheby's, Swann |
| Editions | Prints and multiples | Christie's, Sotheby's |
The Phillips Experience
Phillips' salerooms and exhibitions are designed to reflect the contemporary aesthetic that defines the house. The New York headquarters at 432 Park Avenue offers a sleek, gallery-like environment, while the London saleroom at 30 Berkeley Square occupies a historic Georgian townhouse reimagined for modern use. Previews and exhibitions at Phillips are curated experiences that feel more like gallery openings than traditional auction viewings.
For collectors who prize connoisseurship, contemporary relevance, and a more intimate auction experience than the mega-houses offer, Phillips occupies a unique and compelling position in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Phillips focuses on 20th and 21st century art, design, watches, jewelry, and photography. The house is particularly known for contemporary art by emerging and mid-career artists, mid-century modern design, and collector watches through its partnership with Bacs & Russo.
Phillips' watch department, operated in association with Bacs & Russo and led by Aurel Bacs, has set numerous world records for watches at auction. The department's deep expertise in Patek Philippe, Rolex, and independent brands, combined with meticulously curated sales, has established Phillips as the premier destination for serious watch collectors.
Phillips maintains principal salerooms in New York and London, with additional sale locations in Geneva and Hong Kong. The house also holds selling exhibitions and auctions in other cities on a seasonal basis.
No. Phillips has intentionally focused its business on 20th and 21st century categories. If you have Old Masters, antiques, or pre-20th century material, you would be better served by Christie's, Sotheby's, or Bonhams, which maintain dedicated departments for those areas.
You can submit your watch for evaluation through the Phillips website or contact the watch department directly. Specialists will assess the piece based on brand, model, condition, provenance, and rarity. If accepted for sale, Phillips will advise on estimates, reserves, and the optimal auction venue.
Fee Information
Typically 26% up to $1M, 21% on portion $1M–$6M, 14.5% above $6M
Contact directly
Source: Official website
Notable Sales
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