Christie’s International Watch Department Appoints Giovanni Varesi as New Specialist

Christie’s has expanded its international watch team by appointing Giovanni Varesi as lead watch Specialist in Italy. Giovanni will be based at the firm’s Italian headquarters in Milan. This appointment underlines the strategic importance of the country within the wider development of the company, and recognises the growing and very dynamic Italian watch market.

Giovanni will oversee all watch consignments from Italy and build on Christie’s strong relationships within the Italian watch collecting community.

“When I was approached by Christie’s, I did not hesitate to accept this opportunity. Over the first six months of this year, I had the chance to understand Christie’s as well as to meet and work with my colleagues from New York, Hong Kong and Geneva. Going forward I will be actively in contact with the firm’s existing Italian watch collectors and will be building a wider Christie’s circle of watch enthusiasts, through podcast, zoominars, discussions and one-to-one meetings”, commented Giovanni Varesi, Watch Specialist Christie’s Italy.    

Giovanni has collected Rolex chronographs since 1990 and is particularly knowledgeable in vintage timepieces made by Rolex and Patek Philippe. He holds a degree in Energetic Engineering and worked as an electronic and mechanical project manager, before beginning his horological career in 2007 when working as a technical advisor to a top vintage watch shop in Milan. In 2012 he transitioned into the auction world when he was appointed by Antiquorum as their watch specialist for Italy.  

His passion for horology has led Giovanni to discover the first Rolex Daytona Paul Newman sold for over US$1 million at auction and to publish the book “Collezionare orologi, la guida per cominciare” (Collecting watches – a guide for beginners).

While being based in Milan, Giovanni Varesi will be working very closely with the Geneva watch department, contributing to the firm’s Important Watches auction in Geneva, which takes place twice a year, alongside expanding Christie’s presence in Italy and developing new watch clients.

Giovanni, Italian born, is fluent in English and his expertise is recognised by his peers. Recently Giovanni hosted a very interesting podcast series on collecting watches which can be found here.

Christie’s International Watch Auction Calendar for July 2020[b] [/b]

Live Auctions:                  Hong Kong: 13 July                Geneva: 20 July

Online Auctions:              Geneva: 7-21 July                  New York: 22 July-5 August

Additionally, Christie’s will be holding the “101 Cartier Clock Collection” as an online only auction from Geneva between 7-21 July

Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, had auction sales in 2019 that totalled £4.5 billion / $5.8 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and international expertise. Christie’s offers around 350 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War & Contemporary, Impressionist & Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery.

Alongside regular sales online, Christie’s has a global presence in 46 countries, with 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

*Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price - see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue.

*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and are reported net of applicable fees.