Ben Wright Vintage Watches
I first cut my teeth with wrist and pocket watches in 1986 as a junior cataloguer at Christie’s. I was based at their London headquarters but as I became more experienced, I travelled to Geneva, Hong Kong and New York helping to catalogue watches and finding more stock for sale. Eventually I became head of the Clocks and Watches department and by then I was also an auctioneer, travelling all over the world, taking sales and meeting new clients.
I left Christie’s right at the peak in 2006 to start up my own business and haven’t really looked back. I’m lucky in that whilst I have based myself in the heart of the very beautiful Cotswolds, I can get to London very quickly where I transact a lot of my business and I’m also close to all the main airports.
The world of wristwatches is both satisfying and hard work, I only ever want to do things properly, so that means continual travel in planes, trains and by car, all of which I enjoy and it means I get to go to interesting places and meet lots of interesting people.
I hope if you’re reading this you feel you can get in touch with me, whether it’s about a £100,000 Rolex or a £100 gold-plated pocket watch – either way I am very happy and I very much look forward to meeting you.
Market Place, Tetbury
I am always delighted to show off my stock of beautiful Watches and Clocks, but to avoid missing me please call in advance to arrange an appointment as I am often away sourcing clocks & watches for clients. I am equally happy to visit clients if that is more convenient. I always enjoy talking to anyone with an interest in horology, so please email or ring if you would like a chat.
Christie's
My first contact with the art world was when I joined Christie's Auction House in 1986. I started off as a porter but it wasn't long before watches and clocks caught my imagination and that soon turned into a life long passion. Within a year I was offered a position as a Junior Cataloguer in the clock and watch department and then I later became the Head of the Department. For the ensuing 15 years I had a wonderful time travelling the world, with unrivalled access to all of the greatest private collections.
I also became an Auctioneer, taking clock and watch sales in London, New York, Geneva, Amsterdam and Hong Kong.
I was a great ride, but at the end of the day, I felt the need to put my money where my mouth was, and here I am now.