Catawiki crossed the mark of 3 million objects sold in 2023, an over 60% increase since pre-pandemic level
Record amount of people bid on the marketplace for the first time, up almost 40% from 2022
Watches became the number one category on Catawiki, with sales growing 35% year-on-year in 2023, while decorative objects and art showed the highest volume
Top trending categories included movie, TV and animation, as well as toys and sports memorabilia
Record of four objects exceeding €300,000, including a Ferrari 812 GTS, the most expensive item ever sold on Catawiki, breaking the record set in 2020
AMSTERDAM, 22 February 2024 - Catawiki, the leading online marketplace for special objects, is publishing a review of 2023. Amidst a year of zero growth for the Eurozone, Catawiki reported an unseen demand for special objects. With over 3 million objects sold, a record number of new bidders, watches as the primary sales driver, and toys, sports, and movie memorabilia as top trending categories, the marketplace looks back at a successful year.
Record numbers in 2023
Catawiki's performance in 2023 achieved significant results, crossing the milestone of more than 3 million items sold on the marketplace, an uptick of almost 20% compared to 2022, and an impressive 60% surge from pre-pandemic levels. Driving this growth is a whopping number of people bidding on the marketplace for the first time in 2023, representing a 40% year-on-year increase. Top categories for these new bidders were several - from the dazzling world of bullion and fashion accessories, including sneakers and designer bags, to the pulsating beat of pop culture memorabilia.
Watches stole the throne as the largest category and primary sales driver for Catawiki in 2023, experiencing a significant growth of almost 35% year-on-year. Rolex stood out as the brand generating the most sales, up nearly 80% since 2022, while Seiko topped the ranking in terms of number of objects sold. Notably enough, Omega trailed in second spot in terms of sales and volumes sold. Among the most noteworthy watches sold during the year are a Patek Philippe Nautilus sold for approximately €51,000, a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Special "Beach" Edition sold for about €35,000, and a Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project Limited Edition sold for over €15,000.
Left to right: Patek Philippe Nautilus, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Special Beach Edition, and Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project
The rapid growth of specific categories is another noteworthy factor. Movies and TV memorabilia sales grew by 70% in 2023, showing the entertainment industry's impact on consumer preferences. Following the release of Barbie, the highest-grossing movie of the year, Catawiki saw an over 20% increase in the average value of Barbie dolls, and a 40% rise in the toys category by year-end. Sports also ranked as a top growing category, showing how sports memorabilia is increasingly gaining the status of collectors' items, with a 30% growth in 2023. Some of the history-making pieces in sports such as F1, cycling, and football were sold on Catawiki last year. The three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen’s debut season racing suit and shoes fetched over €35,000 and €8,500 respectively; the Pinarello which champion Miguel Indurain won the 1994 Tour de France with was worth almost €40,000 and the Lapierre Obvious bike with which cyclist Thibaut Pinot said goodbye to cycling, auctioned on Catawiki thanks to the successful partnership with the racing team Groupama-FDJ, reached €12,000. Pelé and Maradona signed jerseys also hammered out for about €10,000.
Left to right: Max Verstappen’s debut season shoes, American Girl Barbie, and Indurain's 1994 Pinarello bike
Art and Interiors going strong
Modern and contemporary art and decorative objects were among the top 3 categories in terms of volume. Other remarkable art and design pieces sold last year are a Mario Bellini’s Camaleonda sofa and a Eames lounge chair and ottoman, both sold for €10,000, a Lalanne sculpture sold for over €18,000, and artworks from artists such as Volker Rossenbach and Giorgio De Chirico.
"We are thrilled we have passed the 3 million mark for items sold on Catawiki last year! This represents six times the Louvre collection and a 20% growth compared to 2022. The almost 40% increase in new bidders highlights that special objects are increasingly popular and cater to an ever-expanding global community. As we celebrate the success of 2023, we remain unwavering in our commitment to bring the world of unique and sought-after special objects online," commented Ravi Vora, CEO at Catawiki.
Record-breaking supercars
In 2023, a record number of four objects - all supercars - were sold above €300,000, marking some of the highest milestones in Catawiki’s history. Topping the list is the most expensive object ever sold on the marketplace, a Ferrari 812 GTS sold for €415,000, which sets a new record, the last one established in 2020. Next up is a Ferrari SF90 Stradale sold for €400,000, a Lamborghini Aventador LP740-4 S sold for €300,009, and an F1 racing car, the STR7 driven in 2012 by Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Éric Vergne, sold for €315,000, which was also the most favorited object ever on Catawiki, with over 4,000 likes.
Left to right: Ferrari 812 GTS, Ferrari SF90 Stradale, Daniel Ricciardo's 2012 STR7, and Lamborghini Aventador LP740-4 S
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About Catawiki
Catawiki is the leading online marketplace for special objects to pursue personal passions. Each week, over 75,000 items are auctioned - each reviewed and selected by Catawiki's hundreds of in-house experts specializing in art, design, jewelry, fashion, classic cars, collectibles, and more. To date, the platform has sold over fifteen million objects and generated sales of nearly half a billion euros in 2022 alone. Discover special objects on catawiki.com or download the app.
