Georges Kern is joining Breitling as CEO and shareholder, after 16 brilliant years spent with Richemont, where his appointment as CEO of IWC at the age of 36 had made him the group’s youngest ever chief executive. He had subsequently served as Head of Watchmaking, Marketing and Digital and held a seat on the Board of Directors.
Patrick Pruniaux has taken the helm of Ulysse Nardin as CEO, upon his return from the United States where he notably took part in the recent launch of Apple Watch, having previously worked for Diageo and LVMH. Between 2005 and 2014, this sports-loving and charismatic executive climbed the ranks at TAG Heuer and was serving as Vice President Global Sales & Retail and member of the Board of Executives at the time of his departure.
Fabrice Deschanel has been appointed CEO of Greubel Forsey (and of CompliTime SA). He has known the founders Robert and Stephen for than 25 years, having notably met them at Renaud & Papi within which this microtechnical engineer has stepped down from his managerial role.
Jérôme Biard is doing double duty by taking the reins of both Corum and Eterna (as Director of the Watch division on the European board of directors of the brands’ main shareholder Citychamp Watch & Jewellery). This is the most recent step in a rich career that began at Richemont and Girard-Perregaux and has also featured several years in the retail sector with LPI.