GENEVA.- Christie's announced the appointment of Remi Guillemin as Global Head of Watches, based in Geneva. With more than a decade of international experience at Christie's, Guillemin will lead the company's global Watch business across both auction and Private Sales. In his new role, Remi will oversee an international team of specialists and work closely with collectors and clients around the world to bring the most exceptional and historically significant timepieces to market.
“The new global structure reinforces Christie's commitment to delivering an increasingly connected and client focused experience for the international watch collecting community. There is no better choice for this important role than Remi Guillemin, whose expertise, focus on smart curation, and client relationships has already grown our market and led to landmark success,” said Kimberly Miller, Christie's Global Managing Director of Luxury. “This appointment will enable Christie's to offer collectors and consignors an even more seamless global experience, with greater access to expertise, opportunities, and markets across the world.”
Prior to becoming Global Head of Watches, Guillemin served as Head of Watches for the Americas and EMEA, where he led his teams through a period of significant growth and a succession of landmark sales. In 2022, Guillemin spearheaded the sale of 'Legendary and Unique Watches' offering 111 watches from a private collector, selling 100% by lot and highlighted by a custom made F.P. Journe, with a Ferrari red dial and shield with the initials 'JT'. Two years later followed another important private collection of several custom-made watches belonging to Michael Schumacher, while earlier in his career at Christie's Remi conducted the first ever stand-alone auction dedicated to any independent watchmaker, F.P. Journe. Under Guillemin's leadership, Christie's US Watches has achieved growth, including sales with 100% sell-through rates as well as setting the record for the most expensive timepiece ever sold by Christie's New York, a Richard Mille RM 56-02 at over $3 million. The continued development of the region remains a key strategic priority for Watches as the international team seeks to further expand Christie's presence.
Additional new appointments within the global watch team include:
Having completed 7 successful years as Head of Department, in Asia, Alexandre Bigler has been promoted to SVP, Senior International Specialist, Head of Collections, Watches and will be taking on a new role supporting broader business getting efforts across auction and private sales. Alexandre will continue to leverage his expertise and develop relationships with our top international collectors as well as provide guidance on our commercial strategy to increase competitiveness.
Following 9 years with Christie's, Harmmond Wong has been promoted to VP, Head of Department, Asia Pacific. He will assume management of the Asia Pacific Watch Department and work closely with both Remi and Alex. Further Cissy Ngan has been promoted to VP, Senior Specialist, Asia Pacific following 12 years at Christie's.
Christie's Watch business continues to demonstrate exceptional global momentum. In the first half of 2026, worldwide watch sales increased by 39% year-on-year, underscoring the strength of the market and the continued demand for rare and exceptional timepieces. In Geneva, this May the Rare Watches Auction achieved $42.2 million, delivering the highest result for any various-owner watch auction in Christie's history, also establishing major benchmarks including the highest price ever achieved at auction for a vintage Audemars Piguet, at over $2.6 million, and the highest price ever paid for any Cartier wristwatch, exceeding $2 million. Momentum was equally strong in Asia. The May 2026 Important Watches auction in Hong Kong, featuring the Kronos: Titans of Time, The Eternity and The Chronicle Collections, realized US$35.7 million, representing an increase of 40% year-on-year. The sale was led by an exceptionally rare double-dial Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon Ref. 5002P-001, which achieved US$1.8 million and set a new Christie's record for the reference. The auction also established six new world auction records, further reinforcing Christie's position as a market leader for the world's most sought-after watches.
