Carbon Aquaracer in 41 mm black PVD-covered titanium case with carbon bezel; $4,000; TAG Heuer; 973-467-1890; tagheuer.com
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Jean-Claude Biver has stepped down from his role as CEO of LVMH’s watch division, though he will serve as the group’s nonexecutive chairman, a nonoperational position. Stéphane Bianchi, former CEO of beauty and cosmetics company Yves Rocher, will take over the watch division and directly lead TAG Heuer. In addition, Frédéric Arnault, son of LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, has been appointed TAG Heuer’s strategy and digital director.
Michael Hill International has appointed Daniel Bracken as its new CEO. Predecessor Phil Taylor is stepping down because of a health issue. Bracken is currently CEO of Specialty Fashion Group, an Australian retailer that sells women’s clothing.
Christian Bartosch has been appointed chief operating officer of high-end Swiss watch brand Speake-Marin. He previously held executive positions at Baume & Mercier and Piaget.
Company veteran Helen King has been appointed the new president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels Americas. She replaces Alain Bernard, who has been promoted to president and CEO of the North American division of Richemont, the brand’s parent company.
Jewelers of America has hired JCK publisher Mark Smelzer as a consultant for its new consumer marketing push and Elizabeth Brewer as a consultant to its membership department. Brewer previously worked at Brown + Partners, de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry, the American Gem Trade Association, and Diamond Council of America.
Tracr, the industry blockchain platform being developed by De Beers Group, has appointed tech exec Jim Duffy to be its general manager.
Anders Colding Friis, CEO of Pandora since 2015, has resigned. Until a successor is appointed, former Body Shop CEO Jeremy Schwartz will join the company as chief operating officer and will run the company along with chief financial officer Anders Boyer. In addition, the company has hired Sid Keswani, CEO of Texas grocery chain Fiesta Mart, as president of its Americas division and Nike veteran Geena Tok as its managing director for China.
In December, Stewart Wicht will retire from his role as president and CEO of Rolex Watch U.S.A. after nearly eight years heading the division. No replacement has been announced.
Phyllis Bergman has stepped down after 32 years as CEO of Mercury Ring to start a company that will consult with industry leaders on challenges they face. She reportedly will be replaced by Michael Harris.
The AGTA has elected Ruben Bindra of B & B Fine Gems in Los Angeles its new board president. He takes over from Jeffrey Bilgore, who has served in the role since 2016.
Jérôme Lambert, who has served as Richemont’s chief operating officer since last November, has been appointed the luxury conglomerate’s CEO. He previously headed Richemont brands Montblanc, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and A. Lange & Söhne.
The Israel Diamond Exchange has appointed Eran Zini, a veteran of the Israeli political and business worlds, as its new managing director. He replaces Eli Avidar.
Andrey Zharkov, former president of Russian diamond miner Alrosa, has started a lab-grown diamond company called Ultra C.
Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard has been named interim CEO of MCH Group, parent company of the Baselworld watch and jewelry show. He replaces René Kamm.
Patrick Pruniaux, who currently serves as CEO of Ulysse Nardin, will take over a second Swiss watch brand, Girard-Perregaux, along with its sister brand JeanRichard. All three companies are owned by Kering.
Hearts On Fire has promoted a trio of company veterans to new roles. Krista Beermann has been promoted to vice president of product, Joshua Gilbert to vice president of sales, and Albee Schimanski to vice president of trade strategy.
OPENING
Signet will open a James Allen concept store in Washington, D.C., this fall that will feature what it calls a “millennial-inspired” shopping experience. Signet bought the e-tailer last year.
COMPANIES
Bonhams, the 225-year-old auction house specializing in jewelry, art, and antiques, has been acquired by British private equity firm Epiris Fund II.
Bucherer, the European watch retailer that bought Tourneau in January, has acquired Baron & Leeds. Hawaii-based Baron & Leeds operates four retail stores, two of which are Rolex boutiques.
Watch rental site Eleven James has gone offline and apparently shut down, according to reports.
Fosun Group has paid $108.8 million to purchase 80 percent of grading lab International Gemological Institute. CEO Roland Lorie, who owns the other 20 percent, will continue to head the lab.
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group has purchased the assets of TransGuardian, a cloud-based shipping logistics company that specializes in high-value items. TransGuardian execs Jim Moseley, Madlene Moseley, and Randy Miller will all join Jewelers Mutual.
HONORED
Mogul, a social platform designed to support women in business around the world, has listed three jewelry execs on its 2018 Top 100 Innovators in Marketing list: Tacori’s Michelle Adorjan Chila (SVP, marketing and publicity) and Sherry Park (media and communications manager), as well as Clair Mah, VP of global category marketing for Tiffany & Co.’s jewelry collections.
For the fourth straight year, Waterville, Maine–based Day’s Jewelers has been named one of the best places to work in Maine by the Society for Human Resource Management, part of the Maine State Council.
(Chila and Park: courtesy of Tacori; Bonhams: Grant Smith photography)
