TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
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
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
Weekly QuizOct 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
Brought to you by
DESERT DIAMONDS: The Newest Trend in Natural Diamond JewelryFrom sunlit whites to smoky whiskeys, introduce your clients to extraordinary diamonds in colors as unique as their love.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2025
Jewelers Mutual to Host Jewelry Panel at Frazier History MuseumThe “Brilliant & Beyond” panel coincides with the “Love & Marriage” exhibition curated by Davis Jewelers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
October Brings Little Change to Consumer Confidence Consumers are feeling more optimistic about their present situation while the short-term future remains a little scary.
Events & AwardsOct 29, 2025
Couture Partners With Time to WatchesThe company, which organizes a watch show in Geneva every spring, will bring a selection of watch brands to the 2026 Couture show in Vegas.
TrendsOct 29, 2025
Beth Bernstein Releases Vintage Jewelry Guide“The Modern Guide to Vintage Jewellery” follows the evolution of jewelry design from the ‘30s to the ‘80s with buying and styling advice.
EditorsOct 29, 2025
Why Creepy, Crawly Bugs Inspire Beautiful JewelryFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow explores the symbolism behind spiders, beetles, and other eerie insects.
Events & AwardsOct 28, 2025
Meet the 2026 Gem Award NomineesNotable jewelry designers, members of the press, and retailers are up for an award at next year’s gala.
Recorded WebinarsOct 28, 2025
Watch: The State of the Jewelry Industry Leaders from Jewelers of America and National Jeweler discuss the gold price, tariffs, and more in this one-hour webinar.
CollectionsOct 28, 2025
Eriness Reflects on Life in ‘One of One’ CollectionAfter experiencing motherhood, growth, and loss, founder and designer Erin Sachse has created 10 irreplaceable jewels.
AuctionsOct 27, 2025
Napoleon Left This Brooch Behind, And Now It’s Up For AuctionIt is part of Sotheby’s “Royal & Noble Jewels” sale along with an ornate hair ornament and an old mine-cut light pink diamond ring.
CrimeOct 27, 2025
Arrests Made in Louvre Jewel Heist One of the individuals was apprehended at the airport as he was trying to flee the country.
MajorsOct 27, 2025
Target to Cut 1,800 Corporate JobsThe retailer, which has faced struggling sales in recent quarters, is looking to streamline its operations.
Events & AwardsOct 27, 2025
Hill Management Group Hired to Help Atlanta Jewelry ShowHill Management Group will oversee, market, and produce next year’s spring show.
AuctionsOct 24, 2025
Bonhams Under New Ownership, Top Executives ReplacedLondon-based investment firm Pemberton Asset Management acquired the auction house for an undisclosed amount.
GradingOct 24, 2025
DMIA to Hold Diamond Testing Instrument DemoThe workshop will give attendees the chance to try out and ask questions about three different diamond verification instruments.
CrimeOct 24, 2025
Video Emerges of Louvre Jewelry Robbers Fleeing the Scene The footage shows two of the jewelry heist suspects descending from the second floor of the museum and then escaping via scooter.
CollectionsOct 24, 2025
Piece of the Week: Wyld Box Jewelry’s ‘Ray of Light’ EarringsFounder and designer Rosanna Fiedler looked to a vintage Cartier clutch when designing the sunlight-inspired drop earrings.
FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
