MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsJul 21, 2020
Watch Industry Veteran Joseph Sindt Dies at 71
Sindt is remembered by friends in the industry as a dedicated, genuine person with a knack for storytelling.
Wayne, N.J.—Joseph Sindt, a longtime watch industry executive, died of congestive heart failure on July 7.
He was 71.
Born in Linz, Austria, Lindt and his parents left a refugee camp when he was 2, immigrating to the United States in 1950 and settling in New York City.
They later moved to New Jersey, where Sindt would live for the rest of his life.
Sindt met his future wife Nancy Pier at his first job.
They married in 1975 and moved to Pier’s hometown of Wayne, N.J. in 1986 to raise their son, Jameson Sindt.
The two were avid travelers, taking trips across the U.S., Asia and Europe.
“Joe was always up for a fun adventure, and he enjoyed collecting souvenirs everywhere he went,” according to his online obituary.
Sindt spent his career in the watch industry, serving as an executive at Seiko Corporation of America for several years.
He later ran its sister brand, Lorus, and was a driving force behind its cult-classic Mickey Mouse watches.
He also served as president of Hirsch USA, a notable watch band company from his home country of Austria.
Sindt established his own company in the mid-1990s, supplying brand-name watches to several corporate clients.
He was remembered by veteran watch journalist and author Roberta Naas on her blog “A Timely Perspective.”
Naas was a longtime friend of Sindt and his wife, Nancy Pier-Sindt, whom she worked with at National Jeweler in the 1980s.
“He was an incredibly dedicated person who worked tirelessly to grow the brands he was responsible for, to hire the right people, and do the right thing,” wrote Naas.
She said Sindt had “a great sense of right and wrong, of ethics and fair business practices. Still, he had a no-nonsense, almost headstrong way about him that made him incredibly genuine.”
Norman Miller, former Gem Awards chair and another National Jeweler alumnus, remembered his friend as someone he could rely on for advice and mentorship.
“I remember Joe as always being there with an answer and a great story. I would call him, in my younger days in the industry, when I had a question that I thought was too silly for anyone to answer,” he said in a statement on Naas’ blog.
Though Sindt retired from the watch industry about 15
years ago, he did not sit idle for long.
Sindt and his son Jameson operated several seasonal pop-up Halloween stores throughout the northern New Jersey area for the past 10 years.
The father-and-son team also opened Gotham Comics, a comic book and collectibles store, in Caldwell, New Jersey four years ago.
Lindt was a sportsman in his youth, playing rugby, softball, tennis, and golf. Later in his life, he found an appreciation for collecting vintage movie memorabilia and fine wines.
“To his family and many friends, Joe was honest and opinionated, but always generous and giving. He will be missed dearly,” said his online obituary.
Lindt is survived by his beloved wife Nancy, their son, Jameson, and his mother, Rosalie Sindt. He was predeceased by his father, John Sindt, and by his sister, Anne Marie Larkins.
Sindt and his son Jameson operated several seasonal pop-up Halloween stores throughout the northern New Jersey area for the past 10 years.
The father-and-son team also opened Gotham Comics, a comic book and collectibles store, in Caldwell, New Jersey four years ago.
Lindt was a sportsman in his youth, playing rugby, softball, tennis, and golf. Later in his life, he found an appreciation for collecting vintage movie memorabilia and fine wines.
“To his family and many friends, Joe was honest and opinionated, but always generous and giving. He will be missed dearly,” said his online obituary.
Lindt is survived by his beloved wife Nancy, their son, Jameson, and his mother, Rosalie Sindt. He was predeceased by his father, John Sindt, and by his sister, Anne Marie Larkins.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
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.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
