Chrono24 Names McKinsey Exec as New CEO
Carsten Keller, who most recently worked for German e-tailer Zalando, will take the reins next year.

Co-CEOs Tim Stracke, who is also the company’s founder, and Holger Felgner have named Carsten Keller as their successor, effective Jan. 1.
Most recently, Keller worked for German fashion e-tailer Zalando for eight years, founding its “Connected Retail” venture, allowing more than 7,500 offline retailers to sell their goods online.
Prior to that, he spent more than a decade with McKinsey & Company, serving in several leadership positions and advising in the fashion and luxury sectors.
In a press release, Stracke said the decision wasn’t easy to make, but he and Felgner knew they would need to find a successor to lead Chrono24 into the next phase of growth.
“Carsten’s expertise in the luxury industry and with fast-paced online marketplaces, as well as his experience in the leadership team of a publicly traded company, make him a one-in-a-million candidate to unlock the next chapter for Chrono24.”
Chrono24 celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, highlighting its community of more than 35,000 professional and private sellers who are offering more than 530,000 luxury timepieces to its more than 9 million monthly active customers.
The watch seller achieved so-called unicorn status, meaning it was a privately held company with a valuation over $1 billion, after its 2021 funding round.
It has continued to charm investors, recently welcoming football icon Cristiano Ronaldo as an investor. LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault’s Aglaé Ventures also has sunk money into the company.
Stracke and Felgner will remain key shareholders and active members of the board, which Stracke will lead as chairman.
Keller shared his excitement about taking the reins.
“Chrono24 has revolutionized the luxury watch sector over the past 20 years. I am incredibly honored to lead this true global champion. Tim and Holger have done an incredible job building the company. The opportunity ahead of us is huge. Now, a good part of my job will be to strengthen our ability to focus, innovate and accelerate, making Chrono24 the home for every watch enthusiast,” he said.
The Latest

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.


The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Cartier: Design, Craft, and Legacy” opened earlier this month at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.
The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

The online sessions are designed to teach jewelers to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to grow their business.

The opening marks the jewelry retailer’s first location in the Midwest.

The “United in Love” collection offers tangible mementos of hearts entwined with traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.

Robert Goodman Jewelers will hold a “Black Jewelry Designers and Makers” event on April 27.