Christie’s Adds Execs to Watch Department

RAPAPORT… Christie’s has hired a new leadership team for its watch business in the Americas as sales in the division continue to grow.

Keith Davis will be head of the watch department, Christie’s said Tuesday. Before joining Christie’s, Davis served as director of timepieces for Heritage Auctions in New York. He has also worked as commercial director for the North American division of watch brand Vacheron Constantin and held executive and management positions at Richemont and LVMH. Davis began in the industry as a watchmaker, and has experience in many aspects of vintage and antique wristwatches, including repairs, restoration, appraisal and authentication.

Meanwhile, Adam Victor will become senior watches consultant at the auction house. He has spent the last 30 years researching and collecting watches and offering consultation services to clients and collectors, Christie’s noted. Victor also worked in the luxury fashion industry, including as an executive at LVMH.

“This season has been an unprecedented success for the category and we see the momentum only continuing under their leadership,” said Aline Sylla-Walbaum, global managing director of the luxury department at Christie’s. “They both not only bring world-class knowledge of horology and timepieces, but decades of experience working in the luxury sector for some of the biggest names. As we embark on the second half of the year, our global teams will continue to present a diverse array of timepieces through innovative strategies tailored to meet our clients’ evolving needs.”

David and Victor will both be based in New York. They began in their new positions on July 6, Christie’s added.

Images: Keith Davis (left) and Adam Victor (right). (Christie’s)