WatchBox Sinks Money Into Swiss Watchmaker De Bethune
The pre-owned luxury watches platform said it wants to promote independent and contemporary watchmakers.

The Swiss watch brand was founded in 2002 by master watchmaker and Chief Operations Officer Denis Flageollet and CEO Pierre Jacques.
Headquartered high in the Swiss Jura mountains, De Bethune employs a team of 40 watchmakers, engineers, designers, micro-mechanics, polishers, and decorators who craft the watches using a mix of contemporary technology and old-world philosophy.
The brand develops and manufactures all of its timepieces in-house.
Its watches have won several high distinctions, including “Watch of the Year” at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
De Bethune has a showroom in Geneva and is available at 25 points of sale worldwide.
WatchBox operates a platform for the buying, selling, and trading of pre-owned, collectible luxury watches with showrooms in the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, and Dubai.
“Since its 2017 founding, WatchBox has championed the work of contemporary watchmakers and independent brands, and through this investment, heightens its commitment to the independent watchmaking segment,” the company said in a press release about the investment.
WatchBox’s investment will allow De Bethune to allocate more resources toward future growth.
“WatchBox has been a trusted partner of ours and a dynamic supporter of De Bethune for years,” Flageollet and Jacques remarked.
“We have long admired their desire and commitment to educate the global watch community on the art of watchmaking and are delighted to now join together. WatchBox’s investment will enable De Bethune to fulfill our long-term vision of advancing and reinterpreting watchmaking.”
Jacques and Flageollet will retain their roles and also serve on De Bethune’s board of directors while continuing to lead the teams in Geneva and L’Auberson.
The Latest

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

As gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.


The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.

With gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.

Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.

In a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.

The “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.

The jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.

This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.

The Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.

The discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.

The jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.

A matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.

Sponsored by A Diamond Is Forever


























