Phillips auction house has named Benoît Repellin as its new Worldwide Head of Jewellery, effective immediately. He will be headquartered in Geneva.
Benoît Repellin, Phillips Worldwide Head of Jewelry
Phillips
The auction house in a statement says, “the appointment affirms the company’s international investment in the category across the Americas, Europe and Asia.”
Repellin joined Phillips a year ago as Head of Jewellery, Europe, before stepping in as the interim worldwide head in the second half of 2022. During this time, Phillips says “he greatly contributed to the success of the fall season that included the sale of a 4.05-carat fancy intense pink oval diamond, which sold for $1.9 million, and a brilliant cut D Flawless diamond of 26.12 carats, which achieved $2.5 million.”
Stephen Brooks, Phillips CEO, said, “As a seasoned specialist and dynamic auctioneer, Benoît has brought to Phillips a depth of knowledge and expertise that has championed our jewels department, achieving successful sales in both Hong Kong and New York over the past two seasons. The global team welcomes Benoît as he assumes his new position and we look forward to the continued growth and expansion of the jewels department.”
Prior to joining Phillips in February 2022, he spent nearly 10 years at Sotheby’s where he rose through the ranks from the catalogue department, to jewellery specialist, to deputy director and finally to director and head of Magnificent Jewels sales. During this time, he worked extensively in Europe based in Geneva. As a seasoned auctioneer, he conducted many jewellery auctions in Europe.
His new position will require him to travel frequently to Phillips locations in New York, London and Hong Kong collaborating with his staff as well as networks of collectors and jewellery dealers throughout the world.
He is a graduate of Lumière Lyon 2 University where he received his master’s degree in art, art history and archeology. He received his graduate gemologist degree at the London campus of the Gemological Institute of America.
He grew up in the art world. His father is an art appraiser, and he said he first became interested in jewellery through the auction catalogues his father would take home with him.
This story was first published on forbes.com.
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