Sotheby’s has strengthened its watches division with two star signings that bring back Sam Hines, a former consultant for the company, as its chairman and sees Geoff Hess promoted to global head of watches.
Both bring decades’ of experience at the apex of global auctioneers and life-long passion for vintage watches and their collectors.
“Sam and Geoff are two of the most respected figures in the watch community and I’m delighted for them to be taking on these new roles. Their combined talent, vision and energy will drive us 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,” says Josh Pullan, global head of luxury at Sotheby’s.
As chairman, Mr Hines will focus on working with clients to secure consignment of important timepieces while spending time mentoring the next generation of watch specialists and auctioneers.
It is a return to Sotheby’s, where he began his career in vintage watch auctions back in 1997, and follows a period as managing director of Loupe, a start-up online watch auctioneer, and before that at Phillips, where he was international head of watches.
Mr Hess’s role will expand to oversee a growth strategy for the watch category worldwide through liaison with regional leaders across auction, retail and private sales and will proactively maintain his client relationships with the community, Sotheby’s says.
He joined Sotheby’s in August 2023 after a spell as senior international specialist of Phillips Watches Department in New York, a position he took after his pre-owned watch trading business, Analog:Shift, was sold to Watches of Switzerland Group.