MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
WatchesMay 23, 2022
Steven Kaiser, Watch Industry Veteran and Beloved Mentor, Dies at 68
Kaiser, whose illustrious career spanned decades, died suddenly on Friday.
Steven Kaiser, who spent decades working in the watch industry, most recently taking over U.S. operations for Australian company Kennedy Luxury Group, died unexpectedly on Friday, May 20.
New York—Steven Kaiser, a watch industry veteran who mentored countless individuals along the way, died suddenly on Friday.
He was 68.
Kaiser’s career spanned decades, and his commitment to the industry was seemingly inexhaustible.
He worked with Baume & Mercier for more than 16 years, serving as both president and CEO during the course of his tenure.
In 2000, he sold his interest in Benedom Inc., a subsidiary of LVMH, to the luxury conglomerate and launched his own company, Kaiser Time Inc.
Kaiser Time did consulting, business development, executive recruiting, and mergers and acquisitions, all drawing upon its namesake’s experience in the Swiss watch market.
Kaiser Time partnered with dozens of companies over the years, becoming the go-to organization for any business that wanted to ingratiate itself into the luxury watch market.
In 2005, with the aid of his longtime associate and “veritable right hand” Diane James, Kaiser launch a new trade show, Swiss Watch by JCK, creating a platform for Swiss timepiece brands to enter the U.S. market.
After a decade, the two joined the Couture show as consultants, helping it grow its luxury watch exhibitor list.
In 2020, Kaiser and James made another career move, joining Kennedy Luxury Group, an Australian jewelry and watch retailer with 14 stores. Kaiser became the company’s U.S. president and CEO.
He also gave his time to numerous organizations, serving on the boards of Jewelers for Children, Jewelry Information Center (now part of Jewelers of America), Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and Jewelers’ Security Alliance, where he had been serving as chair since 2019.
In 2007, he received the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Ben Kaiser Award—an accolade named after his father—and just this past March, the JVC awarded him its Stanley Schechter Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to being a knowledgeable professional as well as friend and mentor to many in the industry, Kaiser was a devoted husband and father.
He was married to his wife, Vivian, for 39 years, and together they had two children, Jeff and Emily. He was also the proud father of a pet tortoise, Mikey.
Kaiser was an avid New York Giants fan. When he couldn’t attend games in person, he watched them at Blondie’s on the Upper West Side. A regular at the popular sports bar, Kaiser had his own stool.
Services are scheduled to take place this Wednesday, May 25, at 11 a.m. at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 W. 76th St. in New York City. Burial will take place at Sharon Gardens in Valhalla, New York at 1:30 p.m.
Shiva will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3-7 p.m. at 545 West End Avenue, Apartment 12A, New York.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Kaiser’s name to an organization near and dear to his heart—Jewelers for Children.
He was 68.
Kaiser’s career spanned decades, and his commitment to the industry was seemingly inexhaustible.
He worked with Baume & Mercier for more than 16 years, serving as both president and CEO during the course of his tenure.
In 2000, he sold his interest in Benedom Inc., a subsidiary of LVMH, to the luxury conglomerate and launched his own company, Kaiser Time Inc.
Kaiser Time did consulting, business development, executive recruiting, and mergers and acquisitions, all drawing upon its namesake’s experience in the Swiss watch market.
Kaiser Time partnered with dozens of companies over the years, becoming the go-to organization for any business that wanted to ingratiate itself into the luxury watch market.
In 2005, with the aid of his longtime associate and “veritable right hand” Diane James, Kaiser launch a new trade show, Swiss Watch by JCK, creating a platform for Swiss timepiece brands to enter the U.S. market.
After a decade, the two joined the Couture show as consultants, helping it grow its luxury watch exhibitor list.
In 2020, Kaiser and James made another career move, joining Kennedy Luxury Group, an Australian jewelry and watch retailer with 14 stores. Kaiser became the company’s U.S. president and CEO.
He also gave his time to numerous organizations, serving on the boards of Jewelers for Children, Jewelry Information Center (now part of Jewelers of America), Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and Jewelers’ Security Alliance, where he had been serving as chair since 2019.
In 2007, he received the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Ben Kaiser Award—an accolade named after his father—and just this past March, the JVC awarded him its Stanley Schechter Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to being a knowledgeable professional as well as friend and mentor to many in the industry, Kaiser was a devoted husband and father.
He was married to his wife, Vivian, for 39 years, and together they had two children, Jeff and Emily. He was also the proud father of a pet tortoise, Mikey.
Kaiser was an avid New York Giants fan. When he couldn’t attend games in person, he watched them at Blondie’s on the Upper West Side. A regular at the popular sports bar, Kaiser had his own stool.
Services are scheduled to take place this Wednesday, May 25, at 11 a.m. at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 W. 76th St. in New York City. Burial will take place at Sharon Gardens in Valhalla, New York at 1:30 p.m.
Shiva will be held Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3-7 p.m. at 545 West End Avenue, Apartment 12A, New York.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in Kaiser’s name to an organization near and dear to his heart—Jewelers for Children.
More on Watches
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
