We met Alexander Bigler back when he was based in Thailand. Today, the soft spoken gentleman serves as the Vice President and Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia Pacific. We got in touch with him in early August for some insights into how the watch auctions are faring, and to see if we are missing out on any trend.
How many people work there at the Hong Kong office of Christie’s? And what is a normal workday like for the Head of Watches?
We have around 200 staff in our Hong Kong office, and six of them, including myself, are in the Watches team here. As the headquarters for Asia Pacific region, we also have watch specialists stationing in Japan and Shanghai to engage with collectors. As Head of Watches, I have a very long task list every day, from answering clients’ enquiries, approaching consignors for next auctions, meeting either physically or virtually with my team and our global watches teams for auction updates and industry news, aligning sale strategies and promotions with marketing teams, to prepare sale catalogues etc.
How do you source watches for the auctions? Or do the watches generally come to you in the first place anyway?
This story is from the Autumn 2021 edition of World of Watches.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Autumn 2021 edition of World of Watches.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BRAND ELEVATION
On the sidelines of Geneva Watch Days, Bulgari CEO JeanChristophe Babin talks about the challenges of having one brand identity across all categories, and tells us what he really thinks of watch fairs.
EVEN MORE HANDS
For the third year in a row, the collective WOW team shares the watches we ponied up for. As always, we include a couple of fantasy pieces and more than a few fails.
CONCEPTS AND CONSEQUENCES
What is the legacy of concept watches? What happens when the show is over and it is time to actually manufacture them? How do these ticking research labs translate into actual, wearable timepieces...if they ever do?
THE QUESTION OF SUCCESSION
In the watchmaking industry, a company’s longevity is oftentimes measured not in decades but in centuries. What then happens to a brand beyond its founders? We speak to three CEOs to answer this question.
LEAPS AND BOUNDS
The quest to add one day to a month every four years may seem like a mundane task in the digital age, but achieving this mechanically is anything but.
FLIP SIDE
Omega celebrates the first human flight orbit the moon with a new Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon.
SNAPPING BACK
A powerful showcase for a one-of-a-kind constant force mechanism, the Girard Perregaux Neo Constant Escapement is now available for everyone.
GO FOR GOLD
Forty-five years after Piaget released its allgold Polo 79 luxury sports watch to critical acclaim, the maison revisits this iconic collection with a new ultra-thin movement.
CLEAR WINNER
Hublot's fourth collaboration with Takashi Murakami puts the artist's joyful flower motif at the centre of a bold new case design.
HISTORICAL TRIBUTE
Parmigiani Fleurier launches a new version of their Tonda PF Hijri Perpetual Calendar with a vivid green dial.