Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
Weekly QuizOct 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
TrendsOct 29, 2026
Amanda's Style File: All Treats, No Tricks Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Gesswein Hires Longtime Bench Jeweler, Educator Ann CahoonCahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.
MajorsOct 29, 2026
Amanda Seyfried Stars In Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday CampaignTiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.
EditorsOct 28, 2026
These Wicked Jewels Will Cast a Spell on YouFor her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.
