The rules of the sale
Plain terms for a business that moves valuable objects between strangers. Read the first two sections at least — bids are binding, and the premium isn't refundable.
What we are
A venue and a process — not a dealer, and not the owner of anything in the catalogue.
J&E Watch Auctions provides an online venue where consignors list watches and registered bidders compete for them. We are not the seller of any watch, we do not take title, and we are not a party to the sale contract between buyer and seller.
Inspection is carried out by an independent authentication center. We do not ourselves authenticate, appraise, grade or warrant any item, and the report reflects that specialist's findings, not our opinion.
Catalogue notes and photographs originate with the consignor. We review and may edit for clarity, but the consignor is responsible for the accuracy of what is claimed about their watch.
You must be old enough to enter a binding contract where you live, and you must verify your email address before bidding, commenting or consigning.
A bid is a contract, not an enquiry.
Placing a bid is an offer to buy at that price. If you are the high bidder when the clock stops and the reserve is met, you are obliged to complete the purchase. Bids cannot be retracted. A buyer who does not complete forfeits the premium and loses their account, and we may pursue the balance.
How bids behave
Your maximum is confidential. The system raises your visible bid in set increments only as far as needed, and never past your ceiling.
A consignor may set a confidential minimum, and may lower it while the sale runs. It cannot be raised. Below reserve a lot does not sell automatically and instead opens for direct offers.
A bid inside the last 2 minutes extends the close by 2 minutes, repeatedly, until 2 minutes pass with no new bid.
An offer on a lot that missed its reserve is binding for 48 hours or until the consignor responds. Accepting a counter closes the sale on the same terms as a won auction.
We may void a bid, withdraw a lot or close an account where we suspect shill bidding, misrepresentation, fraud or a breach of these terms.
Fees and payment
Everything is settled by bank transfer. We never take card details and never hold the hammer price.
5% of the hammer price, minimum $100 and capped at $5,000, payable to J&E Watch Auctions. It is due on a won lot and is not refundable, including where the buyer fails to complete. The only exception is a watch that fails authentication, where it is refunded in full.
$49, charged only when a lot sells. No listing fee and no commission on the hammer price.
The hammer price is transferred by the buyer directly to the consignor. The premium and the seller fee are transferred to J&E Watch Auctions. Instructions appear on the order page once the authentication report is issued.
Measured from the moment the report reaches the buyer. ACH takes one to three days to settle, so start it early — a transfer initiated but not landed on the deadline is not payment.
Sales, import and other taxes are the responsibility of the party the law places them on. We do not collect or remit tax on your behalf except where required to.
If you consign
You confirm you own the watch outright, that it is free of liens and not the subject of a claim, that it is as described, and that every photograph is your own work and not published elsewhere.
Service history, replaced parts, aftermarket components, refinishing and damage must be disclosed. Anything the authentication center finds that you didn't disclose voids the sale at your cost.
Once we confirm the buyer's funds you must ship on our label, packed to the published standard, within three business days. The shipping rules.
You must have accurate bank details on file. We are not a party to that transfer and do not hold your money at any point.
A lot with bids cannot be withdrawn except at our discretion. Withdrawing to sell privately to a bidder you met here is a breach of these terms.
Escrow and authentication
The watch remains with the authentication center from receipt until the consignor confirms the buyer's transfer has landed. Neither party holds both the watch and the money at any point.
A watch that does not match its listing in authenticity, condition or contents fails. The sale is cancelled, the premium refunded, and the watch returned to the consignor at the consignor's expense.
After the consignor confirms payment the watch is held free for 14 days. Beyond that a storage fee accrues until it ships or is collected.
Conduct
Short list, strictly enforced. Any one of these closes an account.
Bidding on your own lot, or arranging for anyone else to, whether to lift the price or to hit a reserve.
Arranging or soliciting a private sale of a listed watch with someone you met here, before or after the close.
Phone numbers, emails and off-site handles are removed on sight. Ask what you like about the watch in public.
Photographs that aren't yours, borrowed catalogue text, invented provenance, undisclosed damage.
Toward staff, consignors or other bidders — in comments, in messages, anywhere.
Liability and the rest
To the fullest extent the law allows, our total liability to you arising from a transaction is limited to the fees you paid us on that transaction. We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss.
You keep ownership of the photographs and text you upload, and grant us a licence to display and promote them in connection with the sale and the permanent results archive.
We aim to keep sales running and the clock honest, but we don't guarantee uninterrupted access. Where a fault materially affects a sale we may extend or void it.
These terms may change. The version in force is the one published when your bid or consignment was made, and the date at the top of this page tells you when it last moved.
Most problems are a misunderstanding and are fixed by a message. Anything unresolved is governed by the law of our place of business.
This draft has not yet been reviewed by counsel. It describes how the business actually operates and is written to be read, but it is not a substitute for legal advice and will be replaced before launch.
Privacy, fees, shipping.
The three other documents that describe what actually happens to your data, your money and your watch.