The third generation of the Hayek family has entered the top management level of the Swatch Group, the world’s largest watchmaker. Marc Hayek joined its executive group management board, effective Jan. 1. He is the grandson of Nicholas Hayek, chairman of the board; nephew of Nick Hayek Jr., the Group’s chief executive officer; and son of Nayla Hayek, a member of the Swatch Group’s board of directors. The Swatch Group restored its executive group management board to eight members (filling three vacancies from 2004). Its extended management board was expanded to 14 members, an addition of six.

Fossil launched three more “smart watches” at the 2004 Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas in January—the Wrist PDA, a world first that uses the Palm OS operating system and has 8 MB of memory ($249), plus two new cutting-edge styles for its ABACUS Wrist Net watches. Other watchmakers working with mobile-operating-system vendors to offer “smart” watches (i.e., provide updates of news, sports, stocks, and weather; send and receive messages; and run hand-held software) include Swatch and Suunto.

Swiss watchmaker Omega will open its first boutique in the United States on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif., which has the best “cachet” of any prestigious address in America, says president Robert Emmons. The new 2,800-sq.-ft. split-level store of the 150-year-old brand will offer selections of its museum pieces, current collections, and the new Bijoux jewelry collection.