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
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
