Geneva
-
Julien Schaerer
Managing Director & Watch Expert
Julien Schaerer joined Antiquorum USA as a Watch Director and Expert in August of 2005. Originally from Switzerland, he was introduced to the world of horology by his father who is an enthusiastic collector himself. His interest in timepieces further developed subsequent to working as an assistant at 16 at major auction houses during sales times. After earning his BSBA in marketing, Julien moved to New York where he worked at an advertising firm as a rep on significant accounts such as Citibank and Cointreau. Ultimately, he was lured back to horology and embarked upon his career as a watch expert at a newly created auction house. During his years there, they achieved many world records, most notably for Patek Phillipe and Rolex wristwatches. He moved on to another world-renowned auction house, where he was involved with and responsible for the conception and development of the European watch department which encompassed sales in both Geneva and Gstaad. After which, he became the Watch Director and Expert at Antiquorum New York. Amongst the timepieces that Julien is particularly passionate about is the Tudor watch brand, desk timepieces from the Art Deco period to the 60’s and sport watches from the 1950’s-70’s.
-
Etienne Lemenager
Director & Watch Expert
Etienne Leménager is an enthusiastic expert on pocket watches, wristwatches and clocks. Born in 1973 in Normandy, France, he studied at the "Ecole d'horlogerie de Paris" and, after having passed his "baccalauréat technique d'horlogerie", completed several training courses to further his knowledge. Etienne Leménager joined Antiquorum’s horology workshop as trainee in 1996 upon the recommendation of its former consultant and expert on antique watches, Jean-Claude Sabrier. Subsequently, Etienne was promoted to Director of the workshop and, only three years later, Watch Expert. An accomplished watchmaker, Etienne Leménager is today Director of Antiquorum’s Geneva showroom. He is responsible for watch valuations and private treaty sales to local and worldwide clients. Etienne is, together with the other experts, looking after watch valuations and is a key person in the preparation of Antiquorum's auctions in Geneva, New York and Hong Kong.
-
Richard Chadwick
Director Antiquorum London & Horological Consultant
With his experience of more than fifteen years of auctions, Richard Chadwick is one of the best known figures in the British clock and watch world. Richard started his career with a global auction house in 1988 and established in 1990 the clocks and watches sales department in Chester before returning to their Bond Street headquarters for a further two years. Then, he joined another auction house as head of their watch department where he was responsible from 1994 to 2002 for organizing the most successful and memorable watch sales to be held in London by this auction house in the past decade. Richard’s particular interest in antique pocket watches and enamels as well as his very broad knowledge of the world of horology has allowed him to make several important discoveries. His expertise is also widely recognized by the community of British collectors and research institutions including the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Wallace Collection and the Royal Collection. He is a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and a Freeman of The City of London. Richard promotes Antiquorom’s expertise and services to our British clients, with whom he maintains long established relationships, and sources watches during this frequent travels in the United Kingdom. Along with our team of experts and consultants, he contributes as Watch Expert and writer to the production of Antiquorum’s catalogues worldwide.
New York
-
Erich Lorenz
Consultant & Rolex Expert
Erich Lorenz was born and raised in Baden-Baden, Germany. In 1951, he started a four year apprenticeship in horology with Link Jewellers in Baden, Baden. His training included technical theory: the making of watch parts, and the required tools, technical drawing and service techniques. In 1955, he graduated from the Handwerkskammer in Karlsruhe, Germany. After completing his studies, he started working for Kueffer Jewellers in Waaedenswill, Switzerland as a service technician. The three years he spent there provided him with an excellent knowledge of horology as well as served as a springboard for a lifetime career in the field. His love of watches took him to the United States in 1960 where he began to work for Longines-Wittnauer in New York. The following year he was offered a job at Rolex Watch USA Inc in New York as a service technician. His responsibilities steadily evolved: from Foreman of the service facility, to Consumer Service Representative, to Technical Manager, to Public Relations spokesperson (while simultaneously conducting counterfeit watch identification) to finally ending his illustrious career at Rolex as an Assistant Vice President. After retiring from Rolex, Eric began to purchase Rolex wristwatches at all the major auction houses. Through these channels, he was introduced to Antiquorum and subsequently became an Horological Consultant and Rolex expert for Antiquorum in October 2001.
Italy
-
Giovanni Varesi
Watch Expert and Manager
Giovanni Varesi joined Antiquorum as a Watch Expert and Manager of the Milan office in September, 2012. A Rolex chronograph collector since 1990, Giovanni has a particular affinity for and expertise in Rolex and Patek Philippe vintage timepieces. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and worked as an electronic and mechanical project manager before beginning his horological career in 2007 at a vintage watch shop, where he sourced watches and accessories for Italian dealers and private clients around the world. He also worked researching fine timepieces for Precious Time, a Horology Investment Fund. A popular and respected figure in the Italian watch market, Giovanni has extensive relationships with dealers, customers and media. His love of horology extended to creative pursuits, as he became a recognized photographer of watches for dealers, collectors and the media. Giovanni’s interest in auctions and collectibles began when he was teenager and participated in many collectibles auctions in Italy. He delights in the rare and unexpected, and is on a constant quest to find a “never seen” piece.
Hong Kong
-
Genki Sakamoto
Watch Expert
Genki Sakamoto’s fascination with mechanical things began at an early age, and therefore, his interest and subsequent career in horology was a natural progression. At one time, he considered becoming an automotive mechanic, but as his father was an avid watch collector, he instead decided to attend Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College, a watch making school in Tokyo, where he would further develop his knowledge and skill in becoming a watchmaker. As he learned more about watches, it became clear that this was the profession he wanted to pursue. In 2005, Mr. Sakamoto began working for Antiquorum’s agent in Japan at the time and in 2006, he joined Antiquorum Japan as an expert and watchmaker. Genki believes that joining Antiquorum was the perfect choice – to be surrounded by the world’s finest and rarest watches on a daily basis. A native of Japan, Mr. Sakamoto is extremely well respected and trusted by the Japanese collector community for his vast knowledge of watch making and the horological market. He has a particular fondness for timepieces from the 1930-1960’s as well as vintage Longines.
Japan
-
Genki Sakamoto
Watch Expert
Genki Sakamoto’s fascination with mechanical things began at an early age, and therefore, his interest and subsequent career in horology was a natural progression. At one time, he considered becoming an automotive mechanic, but as his father was an avid watch collector, he instead decided to attend Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College, a watch making school in Tokyo, where he would further develop his knowledge and skill in becoming a watchmaker. As he learned more about watches, it became clear that this was the profession he wanted to pursue. In 2005, Mr. Sakamoto began working for Antiquorum’s agent in Japan at the time and in 2006, he joined Antiquorum Japan as an expert and watchmaker. Genki believes that joining Antiquorum was the perfect choice – to be surrounded by the world’s finest and rarest watches on a daily basis. A native of Japan, Mr. Sakamoto is extremely well respected and trusted by the Japanese collector community for his vast knowledge of watch making and the horological market. He has a particular fondness for timepieces from the 1930-1960’s as well as vintage Longines.