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
SurveysAug 21, 2026
These Are 2026’s Hottest Retailers, Says NRFThe retailers at the top of the list offer affordable products and fun, discovery-fueled experiences.
CollectionsAug 21, 2026
Bijules, Kamyen Serve Up ‘Topspin’ Tennis Bracelet Ahead of US OpenIn our Piece of the Week, the designers reimagine the tennis bracelet with green enamel wrapped around a strand of “Desert Diamonds.”
PodcastsAug 20, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
TechnologyAug 20, 2026
A New AI-Powered Gemstone Identification App Is HereFounder Vik Westermann said the app is a “starting point” to inspire people to work with appraisers and gem labs, not replace them.
Weekly QuizAug 20, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsAug 20, 2026
Storied Unicorn Brooch Up for Auction Gallops to New Home The Verdura brooch, which belonged to the late Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, was sold to a private collector in Asia.
Events & AwardsAug 20, 2026
MJSA Education Foundation Names 5 Scholarship WinnersThe five students were awarded a total of $10,000 through the nonprofit’s 2026 “Future of Jewelry Making” scholarship.
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.
MajorsAug 20, 2026
Plumb Club Elects 2026-2027 BoardSteven Lerche is now beginning his term as the youngest member to become president of The Plumb Club’s elected executive committee.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
