Episode 1

With almost £5 billion in sales last year, Christie's is the world's largest auction house - a great British institution that has become an internationally recognized brand. It is a name that conjures up great art, world-beating prices and the fine art of 'the sell'. This year, Christies celebrates its 250th anniversary and for the first time, cameras have been given access to its global empire. This two-part series lifts the lid on a secretive and private world to reveal what it takes to remain a market leader and reveals how it approaches the task of staying at the crossroads of taste, art and wealth during uncertain times. This compelling documentary series follows a year in the life of this great institution, charts the highs and the lows, filming the drama and excitement of the sale of iconic art works at key auctions across the globe. How does Christie's set about attracting the top consignors and buyers? What goes into selling a rare work of art and how do you get the top prices? Who is buying what and why?

From London to Dubai, from New York to Hong Kong, we meet a plethora of auction 'insiders', movers and shakers from key art markets and go behind the scenes to reveal the people who keep the wheels of the huge enterprise in motion. Will they stay at the top of their £5 billion game or, thanks to storms in the world's economy, will this anniversary year see their fortunes turn?