The Journal

The Journal

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Timeless Insights: Frédéric Watrelot on Luxury Watches and Sotheby’s Auctions

A senior specialist in luxury watches, Frédéric Watrelot has been at the helm of Sotheby’s Luxury Watches Department since February 2019, as a senior director, based in Dubai. He came to the auction house with over twenty years of experience working with the world’s top watch retailers, bringing significant strengths to his role. Frédéric is well-regarded in the industry and has a reputation for approachability, charm, and expertise, all of which have served him well in fostering strong relationships with clients, media, and collectors alike. Frédéric started his career with the watches industry in America, Aspen in 1994, after which he spent several years as a regional brand manager for an exclusive Swiss watchmaker in Dubai. His intimate knowledge of the Middle East market and the world’s leading brands means he is well-positioned to advise Middle East-based clients on the consignment and acquisition of luxury watches from and for Sotheby’s auctions around the region and beyond. His role is also instrumental in introducing Sotheby’s bespoke services to clients, highlighting the house’s expertise as a dominant figure in auctioning luxury watches worldwide. Frédéric also plays a dual role in attracting new revenue and fresh audiences to the local market, taking the centuries-old auction house down a path that is fundamentally altering the way it conducts business in the Middle East.