The Business of Watches [003] Georges Kern: The Breitling CEO Talks Growth Despite Challenges Facing The Watch Industry

Georges Kern is emphatic. The Breitling Chief Executive Officer isn't slowing down on plans to expand his company's reach. Even as U.S. tariffs and economic headwinds challenge the industry, Kern is pushing ahead with planned launches of the Universal Geneve and Gallet brands in 2026.

He's already orchestrated rapid growth and value creation at the historic Breitling marque since taking on the top job in 2017. Breitling was sold to private equity partners for less than a billion dollars that year. In late 2022, a change in majority shareholder valued the company at more than $4 billion, sources said at the time.

But now with the industry facing a host of economic and political pressures, Kern's expansion efforts are being tested. In a candid interview, he says the luxury watch industry is poised for an eventual rebound. People won't delay purchases forever, he says, and when they're ready, he expects his growing stable of brands to have the right products to match the wants and needs of new clients.

This episode of The Business of Watches is brought to you by Panerai. Click here to learn more about the Luminor Collection.

Show Notes:

Show Notes:

5:00 Breitling's deal with the NFL

5:50 Breitling watches

6:00 Morgan Stanley LuxeConsult Watch Market Report 7:10 Breitling Emergency 8:00 Breitling Top Time

10:21 Breitling Navitimer

15:30 Panerai

18:15 Breitling to Relaunch Gallet

22:30 Universal Geneve

26:10 Hermés Bags

27:00 Price of gold

29:40 How the Swiss watch industry is dealing with tariffs

32:20 What's up with watch prices?

34:30 Swiss Watch Exports

35:40 China Watch Market

38:10 Carpe Diem