A lifelong fascination with watches

In 2011, Adrian swapped retail for auctions, working at Fellows in Birmingham building their watch auctions into a successful operation, subsequently moving to the Woolley & Wallis saleroom in Salisbury. In 2017 he set up as independent specialist providing watch expertise across the auction, insurance and asset-lending industries, whilst also consulting privately for clients wishing to buy or sell watches.

Adrian also writes on watches for a number of online and print publications and is the writer and co-presenter of the ‘Fake Franken & Custom Watch’ course, at the Birmingham Assay Office. Adrian has had a lifelong fascination with watches, seeing them as artefacts of social history intrigued by context as much as mechanisms and enjoying the heroic failures along with the enduring successes.

Dreweatts will develop its presence in the market

Dreweatts has long recognised the strength of the watch auction market and has been keen to develop its standing in this arena. Watches, along with other branded luxury assets, as developing collectors’ markets which, whilst still in relative infancy, will continue to grow as awareness spreads and younger buyers discover this auction category. Adrian's very prominent profile, knowledge and experience within the watch auction industry is a perfect fit with the Dreweatts’ business in order to deliver growth in the watch sales.

Commenting on the appointment, James Nicholson, Deputy Chairman, Jewellery, Silver and Watch Department, said, ‘I am delighted to welcome Adrian to Dreweatts and to have the opportunity to work alongside one of the UK’s most revered watch professionals. His knowledge and experience will be of immense benefit to both our vendors and buyers. It has long been an ambition of mine to create a well-respected and comprehensive watch offering at Dreweatts and Adrian's appointment will enable us to achieve this goal’.

Independent expertise

Commenting on his new role at Dreweatts, Adrian Hailwood said, ‘The world of watches is multi-faceted and interconnected and there is demand for independent expertise throughout. Writing informed articles for both specialist and lifestyle magazines serves to build an enthusiasm for watches, that, in turn drives and grows participation in watch auctions. My work in delivering watch training highlights the issues of fake and modified watches that blight our industry and should give confidence to buyers and vendors at Dreweatts that we are knowledgeable in this regard. Valuation work often leads collectors to think of either trimming or adding to their collections, both areas in which Dreweatts can be of assistance’.