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W hen we think of an auction house, we think of, well, auctions. That is, until last fall, when Sotheby’s Paris opened its new headquarters at 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Located on the first floor of this enchanting structure, Sotheby’s Salon offers a finely curated selection of jewelry, handbags, watches and objects of design, making it a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike.
Sotheby’s has long offered objects for immediate purchase on its online marketplace (just check out Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, Rolex and other brands here). Try as it might, the internet simply cannot replace the joy of experiencing a special piece in person. Now, Sotheby’s Salon is expanding from locations at 1334 York Ave in New York, New Bond Street in London and The Hong Kong Maison to establish a premier destination for luxury shoppers in the 8th arrondissement.
“The Salon is a place of experience and sharing,” says Aurélie Vassy, Head of European Sales for Handbags and Fashion. “In our busy lives, the notion of time is essential. In the salon, time stops.” For clients who are interested in having a more intimate experience with a specialist, the Salon is an ideal place to stop, slow down and enjoy a bit of luxury far from the madding crowds.
One of the main draws of shopping at the Salon is the instant gratification of buying something and taking it home the same day. Camille Jucker, a watch specialist, curates a selection of coveted, unconventional and highly sought-after timepieces. “We see clients who choose watches to wear immediately, in beautiful condition, without having to be on a waitlist,” she says. But elegant watches from Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier are often on offer in the Salon for those who simply want to be able to look at their wrists, enjoy the experience and know the time.
“We see clients who choose watches to wear immediately, in beautiful condition, without having to be on a waitlist.”
At the Salon, unlike many watch boutiques, there are no months-long waitlists or mandatory spends. That’s even true for brands whose most popular models are practically unavailable on the primary market. Jucker, on the other hand, tries to make sure she has a solid selection of popular models on hand for clients who’d rather not wait years for an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Hermès’s flagship store is one of Paris’s most popular shopping destinations, but even there buyers must be lucky to acquire a coveted Birkin or Kelly bag. Instead, make the Salon your first port of call, where Vassy and her team ensure a broad range of vintage are available for clients in a variety of sizes and materials from classic leather to crocodile. If you find one you like, you can move your phone, wallet and lipstick right in and wear it out of the Salon – not a typical experience for items that are tightly controlled by the brand. “Many brands want to cultivate a close relationship with their buyers,” explains Magali Delgrange-Teisseire, Head of Jewellery and Watches in Paris, “but that can make it difficult for new clients to enter the market.”
While some buyers may relish the chance to battle for collectible items, others will prefer to sit out the fight. The Salon is built for those in the latter camp. “If you are in love with a piece, you can have it,” says Delgrange-Teisseire. “You won’t have to fight against someone else.”
“If you are in love with a piece, you can have it. You won’t have to fight against someone else.”
And the final price is known. Whether it’s a watch, a handbag or a beautiful set of diamond earrings, you do not have to fear the price inching inexorably upward as bidders from around the world nudge each other – and you – out of the running.
“Regularly we receive messages from clients looking for items to buy something for a special occasion or for an event,” says Delgrange-Teisseire. “If it wasn’t an auction period, we had nothing to offer.” Most departments at Sotheby’s operate on a semiannual schedule, hosting big auction events only twice a year. “It was a bit difficult if you were looking for an anniversary present,” she says, laughing. “It’s the end of the month and you have nothing because you lost the bid!” For some assurance, she suggests, visit the Salon instead.
Both Delgrange-Teisseire and Jucker emphasize that they aim to make fixed prices fair and market appropriate. And, because Sotheby’s is by nature a second-hand retailer, they do not have to account for the same costs as a brand would when they are pricing an item.
Whilst bidding in an auction is certainly an experience – one in which many people are thrilled to engage – the team at Sotheby’s works hard to make sure the Salon experience is just as exciting and significant.
“Sotheby’s added value lies in its specialists. We are delighted to come and meet our clients.”
“It’s a different way of consuming luxury products,” says Delgrange-Teissiere. “A new way of acquiring luxury at a slightly lower price point.” The fact that all pieces are vintage or second-hand also makes it an appealing prospect for a younger generation more interested in cyclical fashion.
Further, the Salon’s setting is as luxurious as those in a brand’s flagship, but much calmer and with less pressure to impress. “The experience is great,” says Jucker. “You can come, have a coffee after dining at 83 Le Café and try on a watch in the company of other enthusiasts and collectors. You can take your time, you can assess. Even if you don’t buy something, it’s completely fine – it’s a discovery day.”
With 15 specialist departments residing on the floors above, the Salon always has one of the world’s most knowledgeable experts available to answer any questions. “I think that Sotheby’s added value lies in its specialists,” says Vassy. “We are delighted to come and meet our clients.”
Vassy also echoes Jucker, emphasizing the relative peace and quiet in the Salon as one of its main draws. “In auctions, time is of the essence: you have to bid now or you won’t get the bag! At the salon, the offer is available, and it’s even possible to ask for a bag that hasn’t been presented. Time is slower, and the experience is one of customer care.”
