Steven Cohen, formerly president of the Movado Group’s Canadian division, was named president of Ebel Americas in March. He replaces Randi Shinske, who resigned earlier this year as president of the luxury-watch brand’s U.S. operations. He will oversee Ebel sales in North America and the Caribbean and report directly to Thomas van der Kallen, president of Ebel worldwide. Ebel was purchased in 2004 by the Movado Group, which also designs, manufactures, and distributes Movado, Concord, ESQ, Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, and Hugo Boss watches. Cohen, 50, joined the Movado Group in 1991; he had been president of its Canadian division since 2000.

Swatch Group chairman Nicolas G. Hayek was made an honorary citizen of Biel, Switzerland, the company’s headquarters, in February. Hayek was cited for his role in helping rescue the Swiss watch industry in the 1980s (after the quartz-module revolution decimated the mechanical-watch business); for the Swatch Group’s contribution to Biel’s economy; and for making Biel, according to its mayor, the “world capital of the watch industry.” It marks the first time since 1947 that Biel has bestowed the honor.