Frequently asked questions

The published seller fee is 6% of the hammer. Catalogue, photography, and unsold charges are listed on Auction Fees and confirmed in your written consignment terms.

Buyers pay a published 7.5% buyer’s premium on the hammer — separate from the seller fee.

Yes. If your watch is accepted for a sale, you agree a reserve with ChronoBid before the lot is catalogued.

Reserves are not shown publicly on the lot. If the reserve is not met, the lot can end without a sale.

Online bidders cannot handle the watch in person. Clear photos of the dial, case, bracelet, papers, and serial or reference details help them decide whether to bid.

When you request an auction assessment, ChronoBid asks for six to twelve photographs. Professional catalogue photography may still be required before a lot goes live.

For most consignments ChronoBid holds the watch for catalogue photography and sale. Any managed option that keeps the watch with you until settlement is confirmed in writing before you consign.

Shipping and insurance steps are confirmed in writing before you consign.

After a successful sale and cleared payment, collection or shipping follows Payment and Delivery. Buyers usually pay shipping, insurance, and any overseas duties unless a lot says otherwise.

Unsold handling and any unsold charges are set out on Auction Fees and in your written consignment terms. Read those before you consign.

If you want to re-offer the watch at a revised reserve, contact ChronoBid.

Lots close at the published end time. Bids do not extend the clock.

Watch the countdown on the lot page and bid before the lot ends.

ChronoBid’s published buyer’s premium is 7.5% of the hammer price. A 5% win deposit on the hammer is charged to your card only if you win — not when you bid.

Every lot shows current bid, the premium percentage, and an estimated total before shipping in AUD. GST treatment is shown on Auction Fees and your invoice.

ChronoBid performs a basic catalogue review before a lot goes live. We photograph the watch, check the reference and condition notes we are given, and write the catalogue entry.

A basic review is not a formal authenticity certificate unless the lot says otherwise. Read Our Watch Assessment Process and satisfy yourself before you bid.

If you win, a 5% deposit on the hammer is charged to your verified card. Transfer the remaining balance (hammer + 7.5% buyer’s premium − deposit) by bank transfer.

ChronoBid confirms settlement deadlines on your invoice. Arrange collection or shipping after payment clears.

Buyer Protection explains payment holding, shipping disputes, authenticity issues, and Australian Consumer Law rights.

Read that page before you bid so you know how payment, delivery, and disputes are handled.

The buyer usually arranges or pays shipping and insurance unless the lot or Payment and Delivery says otherwise. Overseas buyers should budget for duties and customs.

Create an account, register to bid, open a lot, and enter at least the next minimum bid. Monitor the auction countdown.

The closing time is fixed. See How to Buy for the full path from registration to collection.

ChronoBid does not publish reserve amounts. You may see a Reserve Not Met outcome if bidding finishes below the agreed line.

Once placed, a bid cannot be withdrawn. If you win and fail to complete the purchase for a reason other than ChronoBid’s default, late-payment or cancellation charges may apply as published on Auction Fees.

You pay the hammer price plus the published 7.5% buyer’s premium. Shipping and insurance sit outside that total unless stated on the lot.

Full schedule, including seller-side rates, is on Auction Fees.

Hammer results usually show the winning bid amount, not your all-in cost. Use the lot’s estimated total before shipping when you set your limit.

Create an account with your name, email, phone, and password. Agree to the Terms and Conditions, verify your email, then add and verify a payment card before you can bid.

Register to Bid from the header when you are ready.

No. A driver licence or photo ID is not required at signup for launch. You still need to verify your email and add a payment card before bidding.

In-person viewing is by appointment when ChronoBid can arrange it for that lot. Otherwise rely on catalogue photos and ask questions on Contact with the lot number.

Where the platform supports it, a maximum bid is the highest hammer you authorise. The system bids in published increments up to that limit while you are away.

Always price your maximum with the buyer’s premium included.