WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochWatchesJun 10, 2024
Sotheby’s Makes Changes at Top of Watch Division
Sam Hines returns to the auction house as chairman, watches, while Geoff Hess moves up to the role of global head of watches.
Sam Hines, left, is now Sotheby’s chairman of watches while Geoff Hess has been promoted to global head of watches.
New York—Sotheby’s has announced two changes at the top of its Watch Division.
The auction house said Friday that watch industry veteran Sam Hines is returning to the company as chairman, watches, while Geoff Hess has been promoted to global head of watches.
Hines began his career in the auction market and watch industry at Sotheby’s in 1997. He is rejoining the company from online watch auctioneer Loupe This, where he has served as managing director since 2022.
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.
According to Sotheby’s, Hines has spearheaded some of the most important watch sales of the past 15 years, including the 2016 sale of a stainless steel Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 for $11 million, then the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction.
As chairman of Sotheby’s Watch Division, Hines will focus on securing major collections, serving as principal auctioneer for the auction house’s sales globally, and mentoring the next generation of watch specialists and auctioneers.
He will begin his new role at the end of June. He will be based in Hong Kong and report directly to the global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division.
“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.
“I look forward to working with Geoff and our talented global team to further strengthen our expertise and sourcing capabilities to meet the rapidly expanding client base.”
Related stories will be right here …
The auction house said Friday that watch industry veteran Sam Hines is returning to the company as chairman, watches, while Geoff Hess has been promoted to global head of watches.
Hines began his career in the auction market and watch industry at Sotheby’s in 1997. He is rejoining the company from online watch auctioneer Loupe This, where he has served as managing director since 2022.
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.
According to Sotheby’s, Hines has spearheaded some of the most important watch sales of the past 15 years, including the 2016 sale of a stainless steel Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 for $11 million, then the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction.
As chairman of Sotheby’s Watch Division, Hines will focus on securing major collections, serving as principal auctioneer for the auction house’s sales globally, and mentoring the next generation of watch specialists and auctioneers.
He will begin his new role at the end of June. He will be based in Hong Kong and report directly to the global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division.
“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.
“I look forward to working with Geoff and our talented global team to further strengthen our expertise and sourcing capabilities to meet the rapidly expanding client base.”
Hess is being promoted to global head of watches from his current role of senior vice president and head of watches in the Americas.
Sotheby’s said his promotion follows a series of recent successes with single-owner collections, including last week’s auction of watches belonging to “Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone, which was 100 percent sold by lot.
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.
He also is a dedicated watch collector—he personally purchased one of Stallone’s Patek Philippe watches—and founder of the “Rolliefest” global gathering in New York, which last took place in September 2023.
He’s also an academy member of the Grand Prix d’Horologerie de Genève.
In his new role as global head of watches, 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 will report directly to the global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division.
Hess said, “It is an honor to assume this new position, as I approach my one-year anniversary at Sotheby’s. Leveraging my managerial experience and knowledge as a dedicated collector and active member of the watch community for decades, I am committed to fostering a team built on collaboration, creativity, and unparalleled expertise.
“I look forward to working with Sam and our passionate global watches team to provide our clients with the best service possible, and work towards establishing Sotheby’s at the center of watch culture.”
More on Watches
The Latest
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
