Sotheby’s has switched up the leadership in its watch division, bringing Sam Hines back to the auction house as chairman of watches and promoting Geoffrey Hess to global head of watches.
Hines rejoins Sotheby’s from online watch auctioneer Loupe This, where he’d been managing director since 2022. He began his career at Sotheby’s in 1997 and was appointed worldwide head of its watch division in 2017. He has also served as international head of watches for Phillips, and international co-head of Christie’s watches department.
Hess joined Sotheby’s in August 2023 as senior vice president and head of watches, Americas. He’d previously worked as a senior international specialist in Phillips’ watches department in New York City and as CEO of Analog/Shift, a vintage watch platform that was eventually acquired by Watches of Switzerland. He is also a lawyer and the founder of Rolliefest, an annual gathering of watch collectors.
“Sam and Geoff are two of the most respected figures in the watch community, and I’m delighted for them to be taking on these new roles,” said Josh Pullan, global head of Sotheby’s luxury division, in a statement.
Top: Sam Hines and Geoffrey Hess (photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
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