CEO of one of world’s most established watch manufacturers discusses the future trends of the industry and the new direction for the company.
Georges Kern, newly appointed CEO of Breitling recently came to Dubai to introduce the brand’s next chapter as he outlined his vision for the world’s leading luxury watch brand. During his Roadshow, Georges discussed the changing face of the industry, as well as the brand’s rich heritage and its direction as he mapped out his vision as the new global CEO.
In his new position, Georges Kern’s mission is to foster the global development of one of the world’s most established watch manufacturers, and to focus on further developing Breitling’s digital and retail footprint, in particular with a view to accelerating growth in the important Asian markets.
With a heritage dating back to 1938, the Breitling event also showcased Breitling’s precision watchmaking techniques, innovations and pioneering achievements, with the Navitimer 8 also being presented for the first time in the region during the Roadshow.
The event was the Middle Eastern stop on Breitling’s international tour, which debuted in Shanghai in late January and which recently included New York.
Georges Kern studied Political Science in Strasbourg, France, and graduated in Business Administration from the University of St.Gallen in Switzerland. He acquired experience in the fast-moving consumer-goods sector at Kraft Foods Switzerland before moving into the watch industry at TAG Heuer.
In 2000, he joined Richemont, the Swiss luxury goods group, and was active in the integration of the brands A. Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre and IWC Schaffhausen following their acquisition. In 2002, at the age of 36, he became the youngest CEO within Richemont when he was chosen to run IWC Schaffhausen. In 2017, he was promoted to Head of Watchmaking, Marketing and Digital at Richemont and focused on supervising the Specialist Watchmaking Maisons.
In 2017, Georges Kern was appointed the new CEO of the independent watch company Breitling SA, where he is also a shareholder. In his new position, Georges Kern’s mission is to foster the global development of one of the world’s most established watch manufacturers, and to focus on further developing Breitling’s digital and retail footprint, in particular with a view to accelerating growth in the important Asian markets.
Georges Kern served as a member of the Young Global Leaders at the World Economic Forum from 2005 to 2010, and became Founding Curator of the Global Shapers Community in Zurich in 2011.
