Executive search for jewellery and watch businesses.
Few categories carry heritage as visibly as jewellery and watches, where craft and client relationships span generations. Our retained search for jewellery and watch maisons covers chief executive, commercial, retail and creative leadership across fine jewellery, high horology and watchmaking.
The leadership brief
Jewellery and watch leadership across markets.
Senior jewellery executive search requires an understanding of brand, client relationships, distribution and the operating model. Whether the brief concerns a European watch house or a US jewelry business, we agree the role and market before approaching candidates. Relevant appointments include enterprise, finance, commercial, marketing and digital leadership.
Relevant appointment
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
International jewellery group · Middle East
Combined finance and operating leadership in jewellery and watches.
Selected experience includes work undertaken in this practice and in previous search roles. Identities remain confidential.Leadership in jewellery & high horology
A jewellery or watch business may combine product development, manufacturing, wholesale, boutiques and private-client relationships. The leadership brief should establish which parts of that operating model the role owns and how it works with the wider group or independent owner.
Assessment should examine the candidate’s experience of relevant products, distribution and clients, alongside their authority over people and commercial decisions. A category label alone does not establish fit with a particular maison.
The roles we search
Our jewellery and watch mandates span the leadership a maison depends on:
- CEO and Managing Director of jewellery and watch maisons
- Commercial, retail and client-experience leadership
- Creative and product / collection leadership
- Brand, marketing and high-jewellery client leadership
- Operations, supply-chain and savoir-faire leadership
- Finance and functional C-suite roles
A small, specialised leadership market
Research should reflect the category and geography of the brief. We identify relevant organisations and leadership roles, then explore suitability through the agreed engagement and assessment process.
Defining this mandate
Differentiate fine jewellery, high jewellery, watches and private-client development. Define responsibility for brand, distribution, client relationships and operations; assess the candidate’s contribution within the relevant category and market.
How retained search worksFrequently asked
Does high jewellery require a different commercial profile?
It can. Consider the client relationships, sales cycle, discretion and event or private-sale responsibilities involved. A broad retail background is not sufficient evidence on its own.
How do watchmaking and jewellery briefs differ?
Product, distribution, after-sales and manufacturing relationships can differ materially. The research scope should reflect the category and operating model rather than grouping all maisons into one talent pool.
Can the search span Europe, Asia and the US?
Yes, where relevant to the brief. We agree the geographic remit and assess language, channel and market experience for the actual appointment.
Appointing leadership for a jewellery or watch maison?
Speak with us in confidence about a leadership mandate in jewellery or horology.