Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for US
Olivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.

He will take over the role on March 3.
Kessler-Gay will lead the long-term strategic vision for the division as the company aspires to scale its watches and fine jewelry business in the U.S. He will report to Stéphane Blanchard, president of the U.S. region and Chanel Inc.
Chanel said Kessler-Gay is a leader who has “consistently fostered strong engagement with his teams and created a collaborative culture, inspiring and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.”
He brings to the role more than 25 years of experience in watches and fine jewelry and apparel retail.
Most recently, he served as Pandora’s general manager for Western Europe, which includes Spain, Portugal, and France. In the position, he doubled the size of the business, reshaped company culture, and elevated brand awareness, Chanel said.
Prior to working at Pandora, he spent four years at American Apparel and footwear company VF Corporation, which is known for its popular outdoor and lifestyle brands such as North Face and Timberland.
There, as vice president and general manager of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, he built and scaled the corporation’s global brands through innovative vision and strategic regional positioning, Chanel said.
Kessler-Gay began his career at Cartier, where he held various roles across sales, marketing, and merchandising over nearly 20 years.
He spearheaded the jeweler’s market expansions across the Middle East, Africa, Russia, and Eastern Europe, and he later became managing director for Spain and Portugal, which Chanel said became Cartier's top-performing European region.
"I am confident that Olivier's extensive experience equips him to navigate our complex landscape and drive the U.S. watches and fine jewelry division forward, in partnership with the U.S. leadership team," said Blanchard.
Gay-Kessler added, "I'm very honored and grateful to be joining such an iconic and legendary brand, with a strong ambition, in one of the world's leading markets."
The Latest

The heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.

The 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.

The Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.


To mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.

The gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Founder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.

If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.

The top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.

Following visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.

The “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.

The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.

The New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.

Take a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.

The one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.

The California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.

Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.

The foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.

Assimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.

The De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”

The Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.

Industry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.

The winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.

“Ombré Desert Diamonds” will emphasize cream-, champagne-, and brown-colored diamonds, shades that set natural stones apart from lab grown.