How to Sell a Watch or Artwork in Switzerland This Autumn

Autumn is the busiest time of year for watches and art. The big fairs open in October and the Geneva watch auctions follow in November, so many owners ask the same question: if I want to sell, how do I get cash for my watch or painting, and how quickly?

The short answer: you can sell at auction, through a dealer, or directly to a buyer. If you want a clear price without auction fees, request a non-binding offer from FinanceFarm. We buy luxury watches, fine art and rare collectibles worth 25,000 Swiss francs or more, and there are no selling fees.

What are your options for selling a watch or artwork in Switzerland?

There are three common routes, and each suits a different seller.

1. An auction house. Auctions reach a wide audience and can do very well for pieces in high demand. But the auction house sets the timing. It can take weeks or months from consignment to payment, and a lot may not sell at all. Sellers usually pay a commission, often around 15% of the hammer price, sometimes with marketing, insurance and cataloguing costs on top. [7] Buyers pay a premium as well: for Geneva watch sales, Phillips lists a buyer's premium of 27% of the hammer price up to 1.6 million Swiss francs. [6]

2. A dealer or broker. This is usually faster than an auction. The price you receive reflects the dealer's own margin, and terms vary a lot from one dealer to the next.

3. A direct sale to FinanceFarm. You request an offer, our specialists review your object, and you decide whether to accept. There are no selling fees, so you receive 100% of the agreed price. Payout follows within 96 hours of the physical inspection and your acceptance.

For a full side-by-side comparison, read our guide: Selling Art or Watches in Switzerland: What Will You Receive? [8]

Why are owners thinking about selling this autumn?

October and November bring the year's biggest moments for art and watches.

In London, Frieze London and Frieze Masters run from 14 to 18 October 2026 in Regent's Park, with 172 galleries from 42 countries and regions at Frieze London alone. [1]

In Geneva, the major watch auctions take place in early November. Phillips holds The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIV on 7 and 8 November, Sotheby's holds Important Watches on 8 November, and Christie's holds Rare Watches on 9 November. [2] [3] Phillips opens its public previews at the Hotel President Wilson on 4 November. [4]

Demand for Swiss watches also looks steady. Swiss watch exports rose 9.1% in August 2026 to 1,789.2 million Swiss francs, and the twelve-month average turned positive for the first time in two years, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. [5] Export figures are not resale prices, but they show continued interest in Swiss watches.

How does selling to FinanceFarm work?

1. Create a free account and add your object. Upload clear photos and any proof of ownership you have.
2. Request an offer. It is free and non-binding.
3. Our specialists review every object and come back to you with an offer.
4. If you accept, you sign the contract and send the object to us, insured.
5. After the physical inspection, payout follows within 96 hours.

What should you prepare before requesting an offer?

Good photos and documents help our specialists review your object quickly.

• Photos: clear daylight photos of the front and the back. For a watch, add the dial, the case back, the clasp, and the box and papers if you have them. For a painting or drawing, add the signature and the back of the frame.
• Proof of ownership: a receipt, an invoice, a certificate, an earlier auction record or an inheritance document.

Which objects does FinanceFarm buy?

We buy fine art, luxury watches and rare collectibles worth 25,000 Swiss francs or more. Every object is reviewed individually, so meeting the minimum does not mean automatic acceptance. [8] We work with sellers in Switzerland, the European Union and the United Arab Emirates.

What is FinanceFarm building next?

Alongside direct purchases, we are working on two things for owners and collectors. First, the FinanceFarm app, so you can add an object, follow its review and manage your account from your phone. Second, an asset-backed offering built around the kind of objects our sellers bring us. We will share the details as each one goes live.

In the market, all eyes are on Geneva. With Phillips, Sotheby's and Christie's selling from 7 to 9 November [2] [3], this is a good moment to compare an auction with a direct sale before you decide.

If you have a watch, a painting or a collectible you are thinking of selling, you can request an offer at financefarm.com. It costs nothing, and the decision stays yours.

Frequently asked questions

How can I sell a luxury watch quickly in Switzerland?

Selling directly is usually faster than consigning to an auction. With FinanceFarm, you request a non-binding offer, and if you accept, payout follows within 96 hours of the physical inspection.

Do I have to sell my watch or painting at auction?

No. An auction is one option. You can also sell through a dealer or directly to a buyer such as FinanceFarm, without auction commissions.

Does FinanceFarm charge selling fees?

No. There are no selling fees, and you receive 100% of the agreed price. You send the object to us insured, and the shipping is at your cost.

Is a FinanceFarm offer binding?

No. Requesting an offer is free and non-binding. You decide whether to accept.

What is the minimum value?

25,000 Swiss francs. Every object is reviewed individually, so meeting the minimum does not mean automatic acceptance. [8]

When are the Geneva watch auctions in 2026?

From 7 to 9 November 2026. Phillips sells on 7 and 8 November, Sotheby's on 8 November and Christie's on 9 November. [2] [3]

Sources

1. Artlyst, "Frieze Week London: Art Fairs Guide, October 2026", 1 October 2026.
2. Haute Time, "Fall Auction Preview: The Watch Sales Collectors Are Circling in 2026", 20 September 2026.
3. Sotheby's, Important Watches, Geneva, 8 November 2026, auction page.
4. Phillips, Fall 2026 auction season tour and preview dates, 15 September 2026.
5. Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH, "Swiss watchmaking in August 2026: Positive momentum in most main markets", September 2026.
6. Phillips, Geneva Guide for Prospective Buyers: Watches.
7. MyArtBroker, "A Guide to Art Auction Fees", updated 6 February 2025.
8. FinanceFarm, "Selling Art or Watches in Switzerland: What Will You Receive?", 18 September 2026.