Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.

The retailer’s purchase of Roberto Coin Inc. gives it exclusive distribution rights for Roberto Coin jewelry in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central America, adding a strong brand to the Watches of Switzerland portfolio in a time when jewelry brands are becoming increasingly important.
According to internal research cited in the release announcing the acquisition, Roberto Coin Inc. is the sixth-largest jewelry brand in the U.S. by sales. Its annual revenue totaled $146.2 million with profit before taxes of $30.1 million for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2022.
“We have partnered with Roberto Coin for over a decade in the U.S., retailing its elegant jewelry in a number of our Mayors’ showrooms,” said Watches of Switzerland Group CEO Brian Duffy. “It is a hugely popular, growing brand, occupying a strong position in the market, underpinned by product quality, design creativity, and imagination.”
In addition to Mayors, Watches of Switzerland owns three Betteridge stores as well as online watch retailer Analog:Shift.
Currently, Watches of Switzerland carries Roberto Coin in 16 of its U.S. stores.
The acquisition will allow it to increase that number, but the company also said it intends to expand the wholesale network, develop joint business plans with wholesale partners, and grow the brand’s export market outside the U.S.
Roberto Coin Inc. has more than 400 points of sale, including independent jewelers, department stores, and jewelry store chains.
Peter Webster, who has run Roberto Coin’s U.S. business for decades, will stay on as president of Roberto Coin Inc., supported by his same team. He will report to David Hurley, Watches of Switzerland’s president for North America and deputy CEO.
In addition, the Coin family will retain a seat on the Roberto Coin Inc. board of directors.
Watches of Switzerland bought Roberto Coin Inc. from the brand’s namesake, jewelry designer Roberto Coin; his wife, Pilar Coin; and Webster, Roberto Coin Inc.’s president and co-founder.
The ownership of Roberto Coin S.p.A. remains unchanged, and the Vicenza, Italy-based company will continue to see the design and manufacturing of Roberto Coin jewelry.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant step change in the development of Roberto Coin Inc.,” Roberto is quoted as saying in the release.
“Roberto Coin is synonymous with design creativity, diversity, innovation, and imagination. We are delighted to have partnered with the Watches of Switzerland Group, which has a real understanding and appreciation of our unique, world-class brand and products, and can accelerate our retail strategy in North and Central America.”
The acquisition, which is complete, was all cash, with $10 million of the $130 million deferred for one year and contingent on the future probability of Roberto Coin Inc., subject to working capital adjustments.
It was financed via a new $115 million term loan facility.
Watches of Switzerland said Roberto Coin Inc. will operate as an independent, standalone company within the Watches of Switzerland Group.
The Latest

Nelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.

Cat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.

The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.


Engagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).

The labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.

“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

The “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.

This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.

The former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.

The employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.

The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.

General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.

The package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.

The new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.

The fashion watch category was once threatened by the Apple Watch, but consumers are now opting for new wearables, said Movado’s CEO.

The report delves into trending styles, the most popular jewelry brands by city, and why Belle Époque jewelry could be the next big thing.

The association added the requirement to its revised "Code of Ethics" and released the 17th edition of its “Gemstone Information Manual.”

Respondents were concerned about the future of the labor market and their income as well as the rising prices of gas and groceries.

The campaign highlights the asymmetrical high jewelry necklace style that the jeweler first created in 1879.

It will explore the life of “The King of Diamonds” and showcase more than 165 creations from the brand.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the complex phone scam.

In her first column for National Jeweler, Jennifer Shaheen asks jewelers if they know how to connect with the next generation of consumers.

























