AuctionsAug 12, 2022
2 Rolexes Paul Newman Gave to Stuntman Stan Barrett Head to Auction WatchesNov 16, 2022
Rolex Names New Group President
A filing made in Switzerland shows Nicolas Brünschwig now holds the top position at one of the most popular brands in the world.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40 with rotating bezel set with trapeze-cut diamonds and multicolored sapphires was one of the new watches Rolex introduced at Geneva earlier this year. The company that controls the popular watch brand has a new president of the board, Nicolas Brünschwig.
Geneva—The Geneva-based company that controls Rolex has named a new board president, a translated version of a filing made in Switzerland shows.
The change was announced quietly via an Aug. 29 filing with the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce, the official publication of the Swiss Confederation.
Nicolas Brünschwig is the new president of the board of both Rolex SA and Rolex Holding SA, as well as the company’s manufacturing arm, Manufacture des Montres Rolex SA in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
He succeeds Bertrand Gros.
An attorney by trade, the 72-year-old Gros resigned in July, WorldTempus reported. (The online news source also noted Brünschwig’s appointment at that time.)
Brünschwig has been a Rolex board member since 2016.
He is a member of the family that has owned and operated upscale Swiss department store chain Bongénie-Grieder for more than 130 years. (The first Bon Génie store opened in Geneva in 1891.)
Jean-Frédéric Dufour, who was hired in 2015 under Gros’ tenure, remains the global CEO of Rolex, while Luca Bernasconi is CEO and president of Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Bernasconi took over for the retiring Stewart Wicht at the beginning of 2019.
The company did respond to request for comment on Brünschwig’s appointment.
Related stories will be right here …
The change was announced quietly via an Aug. 29 filing with the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce, the official publication of the Swiss Confederation.
Nicolas Brünschwig is the new president of the board of both Rolex SA and Rolex Holding SA, as well as the company’s manufacturing arm, Manufacture des Montres Rolex SA in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland.
He succeeds Bertrand Gros.
An attorney by trade, the 72-year-old Gros resigned in July, WorldTempus reported. (The online news source also noted Brünschwig’s appointment at that time.)
Brünschwig has been a Rolex board member since 2016.
He is a member of the family that has owned and operated upscale Swiss department store chain Bongénie-Grieder for more than 130 years. (The first Bon Génie store opened in Geneva in 1891.)
Jean-Frédéric Dufour, who was hired in 2015 under Gros’ tenure, remains the global CEO of Rolex, while Luca Bernasconi is CEO and president of Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Bernasconi took over for the retiring Stewart Wicht at the beginning of 2019.
The company did respond to request for comment on Brünschwig’s appointment.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
WatchesJul 11, 2022
Tudor Is Reintroducing the ‘Ranger’ 
WatchesMar 31, 2022
Rolex Introduces 6 New Watches in GenevaMore on Watches
The Latest
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
CollectionsAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
TrendsAug 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Spinel vs. Peridot While some August babies are team peridot, the month's time-honored birthstone, others are team spinel, the newer alternative.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
