SourcingJan 27, 2025
Dev Shetty To Head New Auction House for Rare Colored GemsMajorsJan 29, 2025
Chanel Names New General Manager of Watches, Fine Jewelry for US
Olivier Kessler-Gay will take over the role on March 3.
Olivier Kessler-Gay, Chanel’s new general manager of watches and fine jewelry for the United States, previously held roles at Pandora and Cartier.
New York—Chanel, Inc. has appointed Olivier Kessler-Gay as its general manager of watches and fine jewelry for the United States.
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.
Related stories will be right here …
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."
More on Majors
The Latest
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
Weekly QuizOct 15, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
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.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
