Results for Roger W. Smith

Business News: Breitling’s House Of Brands Unveils New Executive Leadership With Georges Kern As Group CEO

'House of Brands,' the group of watchmakers including Breitling, Universal Genéve, and the soon-to-be-revived Gallet, announced executive changes that will see the flagship brand led by new leadership, with Georges Kern becoming the group's Chief Executive Officer. Jean-Marc Pontroué, a long-time Richemont executive and the former CEO of Panerai and Roger Dubuis, is the new Chief Executive Officer of Breitling, the group says in a statement. The changes take effect in May.  Georges Kern Georges Kern, who has led Breitling under new ownership since 2017, overseeing a more than doubling of annual sales to above CHF 800 million, according to analyst estimates, and one of the most dramatic turnarounds in modern watchmaking, becomes the new CEO of the House of Brands, overseeing the three marques and their leadership in a newly created role.At Universal Genève, which relaunched this month in the high-end segment in what's likely the most ambitious watch brand return and repositioning in decades, Grégory Bruttin remains Managing Director. Meanwhile, at Gallet, the approachable-priced brand known for its Flying Officer and Multichron models, to be revived in August this year, Erwan Rossignol, who is already leading the team preparing the relaunch, becomes Managing Director. The changes confirm the multi-brand ambitions of the private-equity-backed Grenchen, Switzerland-based company, and provide a structure similar to that of other groups with portfolios of several watch bra...

One of Mr Angelo Bonati’s Last Interviews as Panerai CEO

After 21 years steering Officine Panerai to worldwide success, Angelo Bonati is handing the helm over to Jean-Marc Pontrue (previously of Roger Dubuis).

Business News: Jean-Marc Pontroué Departs Panerai, Emmanuel Perrin Takes Over

Panerai chief executive Jean-Marc Pontroué has just revealed he’s stepping down in a post on his personal Instagram account. He took up the job almost exactly seven years ago, after six years as chief executive of Roger Dubuis and over a decade at Montblanc, where most notably he led the brand’s high-end watchmaking efforts (that were dialled back under subsequent managers). Mr Pontroué’s successor, effective April 1, will be Emmanuel Perrin, currently head of Specialist Watchmakers (SWM), essentially the watch division of Richemont, the Swiss luxury group that also owns Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. According to insiders, SWM will continue to exist, but at a regional level, rather than the group-level entity it is now. Emmanuel Perrin Mr Pontroué landed at Panerai with big shoes to fill: his predecessor, Angelo Bonati, led the brand for over two decades, taking it from essentially nothing to one of the hottest brands in the 2000s. Panerai’s impressive momentum had begun to slow towards the end of Mr Bonati’s tenure, and despite his best efforts Mr Pontroué never managed to recapture the magic. Amongst the initiatives launched by Mr Pontroué at Panerai was sustainability in watchmaking materials and packaging, as well as a renewed engagement with Paneristi, the community of dedicated Panerai fans – underlined by historically inspired new launches coming in 2024. The brand’s direction will now be determined by Mr Perrin. During his spell leading SWM, Mr...

Universal Genève Returns with Gregory Bruttin at the Helm

Having been acquired last year by Breitling’s private equity owners, Universal Genève is now officially back in business with both a new chief as well as website – though the new watches will only arrive in autumn 2026. Breitling chief executive Georges Kern takes the same role at Universal, but the managing director will be Gregory Bruttin, a two-decade veteran of Roger Dubuis who was its longtime head of product. An engineer and constructor by training, Mr Bruttin will oversee the development of Universal’s new collection of watches. A once-storied brand founded in 1894, Universal has been dormant for a decade or more. While its historical timepieces like the Tri-Compax and A. Cairelli split-seconds are desirable, the brand has not launched a hit product in a long time. The Tri-Compax Mr Bruttin has no doubt been tasked to fix that. His technical credentials are impeccable – he led the creation of an impressive stable of in-house movements at Roger Dubuis, though his past work was far from the heritage-focused brand that Universal will be. While challenging, Mr Bruttin’s job will be made easier by the fact that Breitling has its own manufacture and corresponding in-house chronograph calibres. The 1950s split-seconds chronograph made for the Italian air force While the launch of the rebooted brand’s first collection is still two years away, Universal is embarking on an immediate plan of brand building. In November the brand will mark the 70th anniversary of t...

Behind The Lens: Roger Smith Series 2

Roger Smith holds a special place in the pantheon of independent watchmaking, both on his own merits and as the man who worked most closely with the legendary George Daniels. While any Smith watch is rare, this particular Series 2 is unique: it's the only watch in stainless steel that Smith has yet produced.

The Best Sport Watch of 2023 You Might Have Missed

Allow us to shed some light on one of Wei’s favorite watches that may have caught your attention in 2023 – the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monobalancier Titanium. The Excalibur line by Roger Dubuis draws inspiration from the Arthurian legend and has been a flagship collection for the Geneva-based brand since 2005. One of the distinctive […]

Roger Smith reminds us to have fun with a MoonSwatch wristshot

On a personal level, I am well documented on the record in that I have no desire to purchase a Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch. I just cannot see a reason to bring it into my collection, recognising from my own wear patterns it would probably get very little wrist time. Maybe it is a bit … ContinuedThe post Roger Smith reminds us to have fun with a MoonSwatch wristshot appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Phillips to auction Roger Smith’s handmade pocket watch, Hublot drops two new special editions

Earlier in the week it was revealed an incredibly significant pocket watch is about to hit the auction block, and, closing out the week, Hublot, even after a ton of novelty drops at Watches & Wonders, announced two new special editions. A fair bit to discuss, let’s jump right into it. Phillips to auction historically … ContinuedThe post FRIDAY WIND DOWN: Phillips to auction Roger Smith’s handmade pocket watch, Hublot drops two new special editions appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

VIDEO: Nicola Andreatta presents the Monovortex Split Seconds Chronograph and other amazing novelties

Roger Dubuis CEO Nicola Andreatta shows Revolution Founder Wei Koh the Roger Dubuis Monovortex Split Seconds Chronograph, an absorbing work of architecture and feat of engineering that beats gravity. Firstly, its high-efficiency Turborotor Cylindrical Oscillating Weight harnesses gravity to power the watch and necessitated eight months of research and development. Next, its Conical Monovortex Tourbillon […]

Invitation: Roger Smith opens his workshop in exclusive virtual event

Your invite to the Open Dial Event: Roger Smith takes you behind the scenes into his workshops and answers your questions.

INTERVIEW: “We squandered world domination.” Roger Smith says British watchmaking deserves a new dawn

Let me start by saying the headline is paraphrasing master watchmaker, and OBE, Roger Smith, and a contraction of two statements. The first is that Britain “had a great history [in watchmaking], and we squandered it.” The second is his statement that “for a couple of hundred years, we had world dominance.” Assuming that you … ContinuedThe post INTERVIEW: “We squandered world domination.” Roger Smith says British watchmaking deserves a new dawn appeared first on Time+Tide Watches.

‘Keeper Of Time’: Teaser Trailer For Full-Length Documentary Featuring Independent Watchmakers Maximilian Büsser, François-Paul Journe, Philippe Dufour, And Roger Smith

A two-and-a-half-minute trailer was recently released for the forthcoming documentary 'Keeper of Time.' The film primarily follows four independent watchmakers: Maximilian Büsser (MB&F;), François-Paul Journe (F.P. Journe), Philippe Dufour, and Roger Smith. It also features interviews by scholars in physics, physiology, and philosophy as well as primarily New York City-based watch industry observers, weaving related topics about time into its fabric.

1996 36mm Steel Franck Muller Chrono Seen on A Collected Man

Revolution speaks with the team at A Collected Man on their recently listed 1996 steel Franck Muller Chronograph and why it looks so much like the Roger Dubuis Hommage Chronograph.

1989: Harry Winston Bi-Retrograde Perpetual Calendar, the World’s First QP with Bi-Retrograde Indication

The story of how two friends and master watchmakers, Jean-Marc Wiederrecht and Roger Dubuis, gave the world its first bi-retrograde perpetual calendar.

Introducing the Excalibur Spider Unique Series Minute Repeater

Roger Dubuis introduces the Excalibur Spider Unique Series minute repeater, a seemingly counterintuitive piece unique creation.

Review: Roger Smith Series 2

Full hands on review of the Roger Smith Series 2, with original photographs and hands on assessment of the watch and its movement.

Budget Recommendations from Watchmaking Grandmasters -Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilenen, Laurent Ferrier and Roger Smith

Watchmaking Grandmasters Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilenen, Laurent Ferrier and Roger Smith were in Singapore last year for a plenary session arranged by THE HOUR GLASS at the Paragon. For the avid collectors and enthusiasts who attended the event, it was a chance to meet their idols in person - people, who have, through sheer grit, […]

Grandmasters of watchmaking: Roger Smith

Then comes the modest Englishman. A devout follower of the late great George Daniels, Roger Smith is committed to make the entire watch, by hand, just as they did a hundred or more years ago. Rather elusive, as he is domicile in Isle of Man, but an effable gentleman. As he knew I had aRead More

Roger Smith Series 2

Roger Smith is the only disciple of the famous late George Daniels. Roger is a fine watchmaker, and works out of Daniel’s workshops in the Isle of Man. Designed as a watch by an English artisan craftsman, the approach is to make everything in the house…the dial, hands, case, and components of the movement areRead More

Hands-On: Roger Smith Series 6 Blends British Craftsmanship And Practicality In A Beautiful Way

A rare hands-on look at Smith's newest release.

Introducing: The Roger Smith Series 6 Wristwatch, Plus A Detailed Review of Smith's History With Calendars

In some ways, a simplified version of Smith's Series 4 instantaneous calendar with moonphase, the new watch is no less an impressive example of some of the finest British watchmaking this century.

Auctions: Sotheby's Watches Announces Its 'Most Historically Important Pairing Ever' With George Daniels And Roger Smith Watches This Fall

It's the last of Daniels' Millennium series – double signed – and the very first in the Co-Axial Anniversary series by Smith for Daniels, representing the best of British watchmaking.

Auctions: Roger Smith's 'Most Important Watch' To Be Sold At Phillips New York

With every component hand-crafted by Smith, the English watchmaker says Pocket Watch Number Two is "without a doubt, the most important watch I've ever made."

Recommended Reading: Roger Smith Talks About His First Production Watch

Smith's original Series 1 will be exhibited alongside the upcoming Phillips Geneva Watch Auction: Nine – and will later be made available for purchase.

The Revolutionary List: 25 Watchmakers and Construction – Roger Smith

Bring a Loupe: A Cartier London Tank L.C., A Roger Smith Series 2 Open Dial, And A Eddie Bauer-Signed Favre-Leuba

All that and more in this week's edition of Hodinkee's What's Selling Where column.

Roger Smith Is Auctioning Off A Special Edition Series 1 To Commemorate The Inaugural 'British Watchmakers' Day'

The closed-bidding auction is live now through March 9th, with a portion of the sale being donated to the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers.

Auctions: A Record-Setting Roger Smith, And How We Talk About Auctions Now

If watches are a reflection of the culture that made them, it's time to take a look in the mirror.

Announcements: Roger Smith And Romain Gauthier Appointed Trustees Of The Horological Society Of New York

HSNY's Board of Trustees Goes International.

Watch Spotting: What's On Roger Smith's Wrist?

No, it's not one of his own. But it's a fitting choice for one of horology's modern masters.