WatchesMay 07, 2026
Chrono24 Names New CEOWatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
James Marks has been named Sotheby’s global head of private sales and retail for its watch business.
New York—Following a record year for Sotheby’s watch category, the auction house has named former Phillips executive James Marks as its global head of private sales and retail for its watch business.
Marks, who is based in Geneva, will lead the continued expansion of Sotheby’s global watches business.
He will focus on scaling its fixed-price and private sales offerings, strengthening supplier partnerships, and elevating the client experience across both physical and digital platforms.
Sotheby’s said Marks brings “a rare combination” of financial acumen, entrepreneurial mindset, and deep passion for horology, with extensive knowledge of vintage timepieces, the collectors’ market, and brand building to the role.
Alongside the auction house’s established global watches team—spearheaded by Sam Hines, chairman of watches, and Geoff Hess, global head of watches—Marks will help drive the next phase of growth, expanding into new markets and shaping a clear strategy to accelerate the development of Sotheby’s retail capabilities.
“I am thrilled to welcome James to Sotheby’s at this pivotal moment for our watches business, particularly following our record-breaking sales in Hong Kong and Geneva. He is a seasoned leader with a truly global perspective, and his experience across auctions, retail, and digital innovation makes him uniquely positioned to build on the strong foundations we have established over recent years and take us to the next level,” said Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division.
“His entrepreneurial spirit and track record of building successful, innovative business is perfectly suited to our growth mindset and ambition.”
Related stories will be right here …
Marks, who is based in Geneva, will lead the continued expansion of Sotheby’s global watches business.
He will focus on scaling its fixed-price and private sales offerings, strengthening supplier partnerships, and elevating the client experience across both physical and digital platforms.
Sotheby’s said Marks brings “a rare combination” of financial acumen, entrepreneurial mindset, and deep passion for horology, with extensive knowledge of vintage timepieces, the collectors’ market, and brand building to the role.
Alongside the auction house’s established global watches team—spearheaded by Sam Hines, chairman of watches, and Geoff Hess, global head of watches—Marks will help drive the next phase of growth, expanding into new markets and shaping a clear strategy to accelerate the development of Sotheby’s retail capabilities.
“I am thrilled to welcome James to Sotheby’s at this pivotal moment for our watches business, particularly following our record-breaking sales in Hong Kong and Geneva. He is a seasoned leader with a truly global perspective, and his experience across auctions, retail, and digital innovation makes him uniquely positioned to build on the strong foundations we have established over recent years and take us to the next level,” said Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s Luxury Division.
“His entrepreneurial spirit and track record of building successful, innovative business is perfectly suited to our growth mindset and ambition.”
Prior to joining Sotheby’s, Marks spent six years at Phillips, serving as deputy chairman of the Watches Division and international head of Phillips Perpetual, where he played a critical role in developing both the physical and e-commerce channels of its private sales business.
As a key member of the international management team at Phillips, he achieved multiple world-record auction results while spearheading the development of new retail and Perpetual boutiques in London, Gstaad, Hong Kong, and Zurich.
Most recently, Marks served as CEO of independent watch brand Biver since 2024.
At Biver, he led a period of accelerated expansion, strengthening the independent watch brand’s global distribution with a focus on the Middle East and North America which resulted in significant year-over-year revenue growth, Sotheby’s said.
He also led Biver’s digital expansion, growing its social media following while introducing new e-commerce and editorial platforms for collectors, and secured an international press award of the Automatique Atelier Carbon series.
Earlier in his career, Marks spent 17 years in financing, including roles in investment banking, wealth management, and hedge fund portfolio management.
Marks has also held positions at Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas.
“I am delighted to be joining Sotheby’s at such an exciting time for its market leading luxury business whose approach and entrepreneurial vision I have long admired,” said Marks.
“I very much look forward to working with the team to further strengthen our position as the leading luxury marketplace with a dedicated focus on retail, fixed-price, and private sales, deepening relationships with collectors, and continuing to elevate the client experience and offering worldwide.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Watches
The Latest
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
