WatchesDec 04, 2023
Chrono24 Debuts the ‘Dow Jones’ for Luxury WatchesWatchesDec 14, 2023
Chrono24 Names McKinsey Exec as New CEO
Carsten Keller, who most recently worked for German e-tailer Zalando, will take the reins next year.
Chrono24 co-CEOs Holger Felgner (left) and Tim Stracke (right) have chosen former McKinsey & Company executive Carsten Keller (center) as the company’s new CEO.
Karlsruhe, Germany—Watch marketplace Chrono24 announced Thursday that it has named a new CEO as it heads into its “next phase of growth.”
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.”
Related stories will be right here …
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Watches
The Latest
PodcastsAug 19, 2026
Episode 8: Diamond Industry Update With David Bonaparte & Ronnie VanderLindenThe industry veterans join the podcast to discuss diamond marketing, the FTC Jewelry Guides, and lobbying for lower tariffs.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Mike Alexander To Succeed Scott Murphy as Jewelers Mutual CEO Murphy will retire at the end of the year and Alexander, currently the company’s president, will take over at the start of 2027.
Policies & IssuesAug 19, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Embraces Dupes With Trade-In ProgramThe jeweler is encouraging customers who own lookalike rings to come into the store and trade them for credit towards an authentic piece.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
MajorsAug 19, 2026
Zales Wants You to Wear Fine Jewelry Every DayThe new campaign, “You Are The Occasion,” discourages shoppers from saving their fine jewelry for special occasions only.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingAug 19, 2026
Vasant Mehta, a Dedicated Diamond Industry Leader, Dies at 81Mehta led India’s GJEPC through the 2008 financial crisis and was respected worldwide for his wisdom, integrity, and knowledge.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
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.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner’s Tequila Brand Collab on GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with 818 Tequila to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
