NEW YORK – 4 March 2019 – Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is pleased to announce that Geoffrey Hess has been hired as a Consultant. Based in New York, Mr. Hess will support the Watch Department’s collaborations, events, sourcing, and new business initiatives.
A respected member of the watch community for many years, Mr. Hess has a longtime passion for watches, having developed thorough knowledge across vintage and modern timepieces, especially vintage sports watches. His engagement with Phillips follows the completion of his tenure as CEO of Analog/Shift, a platform for vintage timepieces in New York. An attorney by education, he was Senior Advisor to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani from 2000 to 2002 during one of the city’s most difficult periods, and a Managing Partner at Giuliani Partners, where he led strategic initiatives for major private and public sector corporations. Following his work with Mayor Giuliani, Mr. Hess served as CEO for a prominent luxury jewelry firm in which he oversaw all aspects of the brand’s growth and development. For years, he has engaged with collectors and enthusiasts around the world, studied watches, and developed a firm understanding of collectors’ timepieces.
Paul Boutros, Head of Watches, Americas, said, “With his outstanding reputation, knowledge, and well-established network in the watch community, we’re delighted to welcome Geoff as our consultant, working with our international team of specialists. Geoff embodies the values Phillips prides itself on – integrity, professionalism, and passion – and I couldn’t be happier to have him partner with and advise our team. As we prepare for our upcoming auction seasons, including Geneva Watch Auction: NINE and Hong Kong Watch Auction: EIGHT, both taking place in May, we look forward to working with Geoff on our exhibitions and valuation days, as well as further developing Phillips’ client base.”
Mr. Hess’s consultancy underscores Phillips’ commitment to the field of collectors’ watches. Since the department’s inaugural watch auction in 2015, Phillips has soared to the market leader position, setting the world record for a wristwatch at auction in 2017 and achieving a global sale total of $108 million in 2018.
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ABOUT PHILLIPS IN ASSOCIATION WITH BACS & RUSSO
The team of specialists at PHILLIPS Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service, achieving a sale total of $108 million in 2018 – its second consecutive year as the worldwide market leader in watch auctions.
Noteworthy record-breaking prices include:
1 Paul Newman’s Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 (CHF 17,709,894/US$17,752,500) – New York Auction: Winning Icons – 26 October 2017 – Highest result ever achieved for any wristwatch at auction.
2 Patek Philippe reference 1518 in stainless steel (CHF 11,020,000 /US$11,112,020) – Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR – 12 November 2016 – Highest result ever achieved for a Patek Philippe wristwatch at auction.
ABOUT PHILLIPS
Phillips is a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century art and design. With dedicated expertise in the areas of 20th Century and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry, Phillips offers professional services and advice on all aspects of collecting. Auctions and exhibitions are held at salerooms in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, while clients are further served through representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips also offers an online auction platform accessible anywhere in the world. In addition to providing selling and buying opportunities through auction, Phillips brokers private sales and offers assistance with appraisals, valuations, and other financial services.
Visit www.phillips.com for further information.
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
PRESS CONTACTS:
PHILLIPS NEW YORK – Paul Lerner, Consultant plerner@optimistconsulting.com +1 917.698.9998
PHILLIPS NEW YORK - Jaime Israni, Senior Public Relations Specialist jisrani@phillips.com +1 212 940 1398
PHILLIPS GENEVA – Asta Ponzo, PR Consultant aponzo@phillips.com +41 79 961 85 66