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
CollectionsNov 19, 2025
Larkspur & Hawk Celebrates 25 Years With Helena Bonham Carter CampaignThe British actress and her daughter modeled pieces from the brand’s new “Palette” capsule for its “Once Upon a Time” holiday campaign.
TechnologyNov 19, 2025
Google Has a New Form for Reporting ‘Review Bombing’ Attacks Plus, the tech giant shares the steps retailers should take if they believe they’re a victim of a review extortion scam.
IndependentsNov 19, 2025
Houston Jeweler Keith Shaftel Retires, Next Generation Steps In Danny and Gaby Shaftel are now Shaftel Diamonds’ CEO and chief operating officer, respectively.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
TrendsNov 19, 2025
Midas Chain Releases 2025 Holiday Style GuideThe jewelry manufacturer’s seasonal offering features its new “Melodie” bangles, as well as mini stud earrings and layering pieces.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
NYC Jewelry Week 2025: 12 Must-See EventsWith more than 140 activations taking place in New York City now through Nov. 23, these 12 events are can’t-miss moments.
MajorsNov 18, 2025
Lugano Diamonds Files for Bankruptcy, Looking for BuyerThe Chapter 11 filing follows the resignation of CEO Moti Ferder, who stepped down after an investigation into the company’s finances.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2025
A Giant, Bejeweled Moldy Berry Is on Display in LAThe artwork is part of an exhibition featuring works by Kathleen Ryan, an artist known for her gemstone-studded rotting fruit sculptures.
SourcingNov 18, 2025
Another Diamond Company CEO Steps DownMark Wall, president and CEO of Canadian mining company Mountain Province Diamonds, will vacate his position next month.
CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
