WatchesJul 05, 2023
Breitling Partners With Surfrider FoundationWatchesJul 14, 2023
Cristiano Ronaldo Is Now an Investor in This Watch Seller
The company is valued at more than $1 billion.
Chrono24 announced that soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is now an investor in the company. Here, Ronaldo, right, is pictured with Chrono24 co-CEO Tim Stracke. (Image courtesy of Chrono 24)
Karlsruhe, Germany—Chrono24 has inked a deal with one of the world’s most famous athletes, but not as a brand ambassador.
The online luxury watch seller announced this week that Cristiano Ronaldo is now an investor in the company.
According to the Forbes “Highest Paid Athletes of 2023” report, Ronaldo ranks No. 1, earning $136 million last year from his contracts with the United Kingdom’s Manchester United, Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, and endorsements.
It’s the most a soccer player has earned, Chrono24 noted.
Ronaldo has a personal interest in wristwatches and invested in Chrono24 via his company, CR7 SA.
“As a long-term watch collector and regular user of Chrono24, it’s a pleasure for me to become a shareholder in the company now,” Ronaldo said in a statement.
“Chrono24 unites millions of watch lovers from all around the world to share in their passion, together—that global unification is something I know well and am thrilled to be a part of.”
“No one brings passion for luxury watches to the world stage quite like Cristiano,” said Chrono24 founder and co-CEO Tim Stracke.
“He has already solidified his place as one of the greatest athletes in history, and as an investor shows astute knowledge of world-class luxury and technology. That, coupled with his authentic, proven passion for watch collecting, makes him the perfect teammate as our company moves further into global expansion and our next chapter.”
Founded in 2003, today Chrono24’s valuation is more than $1 billion, the company said.
Previous investors include LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault’s family investment company, Aglae Ventures; General Atlantic; Insight Partners; and Springs Capital.
These companies were the top investors in Chrono24’s C round of financing in August 2021, for a total $118 million.
Sprints Capital, former Richemont director Gianni Serazzi, and Yoox-Net-a-Porter founder Alberto Grignolo were some of the leaders of Chrono24’s Series B financing in 2019, which raised €43 million.
More on Watches
The Latest
CrimeDec 03, 2024
Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder of Florida JewelerJohn Willard Craiger, 83, fatally shot jeweler Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta following an argument in the store.
ColumnistsDec 03, 2024
Peter Smith: How a Leadership Hire Can Make or Break a CompanyIn his latest column, Smith provides a list of questions every business needs to be asking their next potential leader.
SourcingDec 03, 2024
Gemstone Cutter Glenn Lehrer Dies at 71An innovative artist inspired by the natural world, Lehrer is remembered for being a visionary and a shining light.
Brought to you by
Protecting Your Sparkle: Why Screening Has Become Essential While no reputable jeweler would knowingly sell lab-grown stones as natural, it's a growing possibility.
MajorsDec 03, 2024
Neiman Marcus’ ‘Fantasy Gifts’ Sparkle In Pavé This Holiday SeasonThe extravagant gifts in this year’s “A Neiman’s Fantasy” Holiday Book range from a Messika diamond necklace to pavé diamond cowboy boots.
Weekly QuizNov 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsDec 02, 2024
Windsor Jewelry Closing After 105 YearsOwners Greg and Lynn Bires are heading into retirement.
GradingDec 02, 2024
Jewelry Appraiser Craig Lynch Dies at 70The industry veteran is remembered for his faith, his dedication to his family, his wealth of knowledge and his generosity in sharing it.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
SurveysDec 02, 2024
10-Year Rewind: Comparing 2024 Holiday Shoppers With the Consumers of 2015PricewaterhouseCoopers’ 2024 holiday trends survey took a 10-year look back to see what mattered to consumers then versus now.
Lab-GrownDec 02, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry Set Sells for $55K at Charity AuctionMonique Lhuillier and Kay Jewelers collaborated to create the pieces, which were offered at the recent Baby2Baby gala.
Policies & IssuesNov 27, 2024
G7 Announces Botswana as Second Verification ‘Node’ for Rough DiamondsBotswana joins Antwerp as a certification center for rough under the G7 ban on Russian diamonds.
SourcingNov 27, 2024
Gemfields Reports 'Disappointing' High-Quality Emerald Auction ResultsThe miner said its November sale, which earned $16.1 million, felt the effect of competitive pricing by a rival Zambian producer.
CollectionsNov 27, 2024
Piece of the Week: Mignon Faget’s ‘Crescent Starry Night’ Tassel EarringsMignon Faget honors its hometown of New Orleans with a piece inspired by “The Crescent City.”
TechnologyNov 27, 2024
Nivoda Secures Additional Funding The London-based business-to-business diamond and gemstone marketplace just closed on a $51 million round of Series C funding.
SourcingNov 26, 2024
De Beers Stays With ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ for 2024 Holiday Campaign“Forever Present” highlights gifting opportunities for natural diamonds, celebrating familial, friendship, and romantic relationships.
AuctionsNov 26, 2024
Christie’s To Auction Collection of Suzanne Belperron JewelsIt’s one of the most impressive assemblages of the French designer’s pieces ever to come to auction, Christie’s said.
ColumnistsNov 26, 2024
The Smart Lab: 7 Strategies for Refining Your Holiday Email Marketing CampaignsSuccessful email marketing campaigns are all about timing, personalization, and compelling CTAs, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsNov 26, 2024
GIA’s Board of Governors Adds 2 New MembersRetail leader Lisa Bridge and geology professor Dr. Wendy Bohrson joined the organization’s board.
MajorsNov 26, 2024
Ben Bridge Jeweler Unveils This Year’s ‘Benny Bear’ Look out for a black bear wearing a purple Santa hat and its zippered tummy pouch made for holding a holiday gift from Ben Bridge Jeweler.
SourcingNov 25, 2024
William Goldberg Celebrates 2 Major Milestones With New Book“The William Goldberg Way” was released in honor of the company’s 75th anniversary and 25 years of its proprietary Ashoka diamond.
Lab-GrownNov 25, 2024
Lab-Grown Co. Lusix Sold to 2 Companies for $4M Fenix and Dholakia Lab-Grown Diamonds have jointly acquired the Israel-based company, which grows diamonds using solar power.
IndependentsNov 25, 2024
Sophie Bille Brahe Opens First US StoreThe Danish brand has opened an appointment-only location on Madison Avenue in New York City.
Events & AwardsNov 25, 2024
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show Panel to Feature Fred SavageThe actor and watch enthusiast will be part of the show’s education lineup.
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock MansionStep inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl StudsThese punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise DiamondsThe company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry CatalogSponsored by Tasha R
