HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s announced the appointment of Tim Bourne as Worldwide Head of its Watches department. Mr. Bourne will be based in Hong Kong, overseeing Sotheby’s Asia watch auctions in addition to those in Geneva, New York and London. This marks a strategic move in response to the rapid expansion of the auction market for watches worldwide, especially in Asia. With his wealth of experience and vision, Mr. Bourne endeavors to “create an innovative and forward thinking department that can capture rapidly-growing market opportunities, as well as the shifting focus of watch auctions worldwide.”

Mr. Bourne has played instrumental roles in major auction houses and is highly regarded with over 20 years of experience in the industry. In 1997, Sotheby’s pioneered the auction of watches in Asia under his direction, displaying its market leadership in the field.

“With his insight into our truly international market, Tim will add invaluable experience as we make further investment in our global business especially in Asia, an important hub of growth and great opportunities in today’s watch auction market,” commented Kevin Ching, Chief Executive Officer of Sotheby’s Asia, while Daryn Schnipper, Chairman of Sotheby’s International Watch Division, noted, “Sotheby’s international watches team have built an outstanding global business with worldwide success. With Tim joining us, our international team will continue to bring exceptional watches to our clients with the highest levels of scholarship and service, both at auction and in private sales.”

Mr. Bourne joins other strong additions to Sotheby’s global watches team made earlier this year: John Reardon, Head of Watches and Clocks, New York, a well-regarded watch historian, expert on the marketplace and author of the book Patek Philippe in America, as well as Sharon Chan, Watch Specialist, Hong Kong, who is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese and maintains close relationships with collectors throughout Asia and around the world.

Together, they will further strengthen Sotheby’s watch business worldwide by working closely with the international team of watch specialists, including Daryn Schnipper, Chairman, International Watch Division, Geoffroy Ader, European Head of Watches, Vanessa Herrera, Head of Watches, China and Southeast Asia, Joanne Lewis, Head of Watches, London, Cindy Yen, Taipeibased Watch and Jewellery Specialist, and Katharine Thomas, New York-based Specialist.

Sotheby’s Asia Watches Department
Sotheby’s first stand-alone sale of watches in Hong Kong in 1997 helped to establish an important, new market for sophisticated collectors in the region. The city has witnessed remarkable growth in this collecting category in recent years, with Sotheby’s past three sales achieving record totals for a various-owner watch auction at its Hong Kong saleroom.

With its recent appointments, Sotheby’s now boasts the most effective, experienced and well-rounded Watches department in Asia, with multi-lingual specialists fluent in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Taiwanese and Cantonese. This team is well-equipped to provide enhanced service to clients worldwide.

The next Important Watches auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong will take place on 6 October 2011. Details will be announced in late August.