Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
MajorsFeb 02, 2018
Tourneau Acquired by European Watch Retailer
Bucherer, a Swiss company, bought Tourneau from the investor group that’s owned it since 2006.
Tourneau has a new owner, Swiss watch and jewelry retailer Bucherer. Pictured here is the Tourneau flagship store in New York City, Tourneau TimeMachine, which is located at 57th and Madison.
New York--Swiss watch and jewelry retailer Bucherer has purchased Tourneau for an undisclosed sum, the companies announced this week.
Bucherer is buying Tourneau from Green Equity Investors IV LP, an investor group that is an affiliate of private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners and includes members of the Wexler family. Bucherer confirmed to National Jeweler via email that the purchase marks the exit of the Wexler family from the business.
Based in Lucerne, Switzerland, Bucherer is a retailer—the company has 33 watch and jewelry stores across Europe—and is the manufacturer of Carl F. Bucherer watches.
The purchase of 28-store chain Tourneau will effectively double its retail footprint, and also give it a presence in the United States.
In a news release issued Wednesday announcing the transaction, Bucherer CEO Guido Zumbühl said buying Tourneau gives the company an “exciting opportunity” to enter the U.S. market, “firmly establish” the Carl F. Bucherer brand here and introduce its jewelry line, Bucherer Fine Jewellery, to the market as well.
Tourneau already sells some Carl F. Bucherer watches but will expand its selection with the acquisition.
Bucherer said that Tourneau’s management team will remain in place and that it “looks forward to welcoming Tourneau’s employees into the Bucherer family in the coming months.” The company has a total of 600 workers.
As for changing the name of the Tourneau stores to Bucherer, which a Bucherer executive said was a “possibility” in an interview with JCKOnline.com, Bucherer said Thursday: “We will review the best way forward together with Tourneau’s management in the coming months.”
Tourneau has a total of 28 stores in 10 states, landing it at No. 28 on National Jeweler’s Top 50 Specialty Jewelers in North Americalist in the 2017 State of the Majors report.
Though the company will not comment publicly on sales figures, researcher Edahn Golan had Tourneau’s 2016 sales at $442 million in the $100 Million Supersellers list.
Tourneau traces its history back to 1900 when the Wexler family opened their first jewelry store in Eastern Europe.
Between 1924 and 1925, M. Wexler Watchmakers & Jewelers opened in Manhattan, and the Tourneau family emigrated from Paris to New York and opened a watch counter in the Berkshire Palace Hotel.
Tourneau
started to grow and the Wexler family acquired the name in 1975, selling to Green Equity Partners in 2006 but remaining part of the business.
Bucherer dates back to 1888, when Carl-Friedrich Bucherer and wife Luise opened a jewelry store on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Today, the company is helmed by third-generation owner Jörg G. Bucherer, who is also president, and Zumbühl.
Bucherer is the second European company to make a purchase in the U.S. market in recent months.
U.K.-based Aurum Holdings Ltd. acquired Mayors jewelry stores from Birks Group in October.
Bucherer dates back to 1888, when Carl-Friedrich Bucherer and wife Luise opened a jewelry store on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. Today, the company is helmed by third-generation owner Jörg G. Bucherer, who is also president, and Zumbühl.
Bucherer is the second European company to make a purchase in the U.S. market in recent months.
U.K.-based Aurum Holdings Ltd. acquired Mayors jewelry stores from Birks Group in October.
More on Majors
The Latest
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-NegativeThis past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From YepremThe brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast FlagshipLocated on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan FlagshipThe new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New CampaignThe online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive DirectorShe will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry NetworkWorking with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for RelaunchThe jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship ProgramThe company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report SaysThe jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot RubiesWelcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
