Sotheby’s has announced two changes to the executive team of its watch division recently.
According to the auction house, watch industry veteran Sam Hines is set to return at the end of June to the company as chairman of watches. Hines started his career at Sotheby’s in 1997, before leaving and rejoining in 2018 as worldwide head of watches. He exited again four years later, taking on a consultancy role with the company and becoming managing director of online watch auctioneer Loupe This. Previously, he was the worldwide head of watches at Sotheby’s, international head of watches for Phillips, and international co-head of the watch department at Christie’s.
Hines will focus on strategies for securing major collections, will retake the helm as principal auctioneer for global watch sales, and mentor the next generation of watch specialists and auctioneers. He will be based in Hong Kong, reporting to Josh Pullan, global head of luxury at Sotheby’s.
“I am tremendously excited to return to Sotheby’s, a place that is both familiar and new, as the company continues to chart forward-looking and innovative paths around the world,” Hines said.
Geoff Hess, who started at Sotheby’s in 2023 as senior vice president and head of watches for the Americas, has been promoted to global head of watches. A lawyer by trade, Hess joined Sotheby’s in August 2023 from Phillips Watches Department in New York, where he was a senior international specialist. Prior to that, he was the CEO of pre-owned and vintage timepiece marketplace Analog/Shift and was instrumental in its growth and 2020 acquisition by Watches of Switzerland.
According to Sotheby’s, Hess will continue to develop and execute a growth strategy for the watch category worldwide, managing the regional leaders across auction, retail and private sales, and will maintain his client relationships with the community. His promotion is effective immediately, and he also reports directly to the global head of Sotheby’s luxury division.
Their combined talent, vision and energy will drive the auction house to new heights in the watches category globally and is an affirmation of Sotheby’s commitment to innovation, best-in-class client experiences and industry-leading expertise, said Pullan. (Photo courtesy: Sotheby’s)
24-06-2024
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