FinancialsOct 23, 2025
Jewelry Sales Resilient Despite Struggles at LVMH, KeringThe luxury conglomerates faced a challenging Q3 amid geopolitical and economic tensions.
WatchesApr 19, 2021
Watchfinder & Co. Names New CEO
Former Rakuten executive Arjen van de Vall will take the reins at the pre-owned watch retailer.
Arjen van de Vall will step in as CEO of Watchfinder, succeeding co-founder Matt Bowling.
New York—Watchfinder & Co. has named Arjen van de Vall as its new CEO.
He previously spent seven years at Rakuten, a Japan-based e-commerce company.
Van de Vall succeeds Co-Founder Matt Bowling, who served as interim CEO for the past year.
Bowling will remain with the pre-owned watch company, tasked with overseeing business operations and overall growth.
“I am truly honored to be joining Watchfinder & Co.,” Van de Vall said in a press release announcing his appointment. “Watchfinder is a clear industry leader that has led by example over the last 19 years. It’s a really exciting time to be joining the business; Watchfinder is embarking on significant international growth in what has proven to be a rapidly growing and evolving industry.”
The company recently announced it is now classifying watches by size instead of gender and encouraged other retailers to do the same.
Founded in 2002, the retailer buys and sells pre-owned luxury watches from more than 70 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
In addition to its website, the company has showrooms in London, Paris, Geneva, Munich, Hong Kong, and New York.
Luxury titan Richemont acquired the company in May 2018.
“We are delighted to have Arjen come on board. He brings a wealth of digital expertise into the group and, more specifically, Watchfinder. Arjen’s international experience will be instrumental in guiding the continued evolution and expansion of Watchfinder and further untapping its tremendous potential,” Richemont CEO Jérôme Lambert said.
He previously spent seven years at Rakuten, a Japan-based e-commerce company.
Van de Vall succeeds Co-Founder Matt Bowling, who served as interim CEO for the past year.
Bowling will remain with the pre-owned watch company, tasked with overseeing business operations and overall growth.
“I am truly honored to be joining Watchfinder & Co.,” Van de Vall said in a press release announcing his appointment. “Watchfinder is a clear industry leader that has led by example over the last 19 years. It’s a really exciting time to be joining the business; Watchfinder is embarking on significant international growth in what has proven to be a rapidly growing and evolving industry.”
The company recently announced it is now classifying watches by size instead of gender and encouraged other retailers to do the same.
Founded in 2002, the retailer buys and sells pre-owned luxury watches from more than 70 brands, including Rolex and Patek Philippe.
In addition to its website, the company has showrooms in London, Paris, Geneva, Munich, Hong Kong, and New York.
Luxury titan Richemont acquired the company in May 2018.
“We are delighted to have Arjen come on board. He brings a wealth of digital expertise into the group and, more specifically, Watchfinder. Arjen’s international experience will be instrumental in guiding the continued evolution and expansion of Watchfinder and further untapping its tremendous potential,” Richemont CEO Jérôme Lambert said.
More on Watches
The Latest
SourcingOct 23, 2025
Petra Diamonds Turns to Shareholders to Raise Capital The struggling diamond mining company, which owns the historic Cullinan mine, has launched a rights issue to raise about $25 million.
AuctionsOct 23, 2025
Freeman’s | Hindman Names New VP, Senior Specialist for Jewelry & WatchesAlexis Vourvoulis, who most recently worked at Tiffany & Co., brings more than two decades of jewelry experience to her new role.
Brought to you by
Are Earrings an Overlooked Category? What Retailers Need to Know NowAs the holiday season quickly approaches, consider stocking one category that sometimes gets overlooked: earrings.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
The Taylor Swift Effect: Antique Diamonds EditionThe superstar’s August engagement put the stamp of approval on an already hot engagement ring trend.
Weekly QuizOct 16, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsOct 22, 2025
Don’t Forget These Diamond Jewelry Trends When Stocking for the HolidaysRetailers should offer classic styles with a twist that are a perfect fit for layered looks, experts say.
AuctionsOct 22, 2025
Pink Diamond, Vanderbilt Jewels to Headline Phillips’ Geneva AuctionThe nearly 7-carat fancy vivid purplish pink diamond could sell for around $9 million.
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.
SourcingOct 22, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.
CollectionsOct 22, 2025
Tiffany & Co.’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ Finds New PerchChief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille has reimagined the iconic design in both figurative and abstract creations.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
JFC Kicks Off Halloween Costume ChallengeFive dollars buys one vote toward an industry professional you want to see dressed up as a hero, or a villain, this Halloween.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2025
Hillsborough Antique Show Gets New OwnerRecently acquired by KIL Promotions, the November edition of the public show in San Mateo, California, will be held Nov. 7-9.
GradingOct 21, 2025
GIA Examines Rare Bicolor Pink DiamondThe stone’s two zones, one pink and one colorless, may have formed at two different times, the lab said.
MajorsOct 21, 2025
Pomellato Brings ‘Global Attitude’ to Rodeo Drive FlagshipHollywood glamour meets Milanese sophistication in the design of Pomellato’s new store in Beverly Hills, California.
Lab-GrownOct 21, 2025
Grown Brilliance Opens First FlagshipThe New York City store showcases a chandelier with 1,500 carats of lab-grown diamonds designed by an FIT student.
Events & AwardsOct 21, 2025
‘Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture’ Opens at MADThe Museum of Arts and Design's new exhibition features 75 pieces by the designer, best known for her work in the “Black Panther” films.
AuctionsOct 20, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 10-Carat Vivid Pink DiamondMaking its auction debut, "The Glowing Rose" is expected to fetch $20 million at the November jewelry sale in Geneva.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
2 Mozambique Police Officers Killed at Gemfields’ Ruby MineThey were attacked on Oct. 15, as approximately 40 miners without licenses marched on the mine’s gate.
CrimeOct 20, 2025
See the ‘Priceless’ Jewels Stolen During Daytime Heist at the Louvre It took the masked thieves less than 10 minutes to steal eight irreplaceable jewels from two display cases in the museum’s Apollo Gallery.
SourcingOct 20, 2025
Pristine Gems Names New Director of European SalesGemologist Lauren Gayda has previously worked at The Clear Cut, Taylor & Hart, and Effy Jewelry.
IndependentsOct 17, 2025
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer will celebrate a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Events & AwardsOct 17, 2025
An Edit of Italian Jewels Is Coming to NYCThe new showcase dedicated to Italian jewelry design is set for Oct. 29-30.
TrendsOct 17, 2025
Piece of the Week: Judi Powers Jewelry’s ‘Stella’ EarringsTake a gaze at the sky with this pair of platinum diamond-set star earrings with blue lace agate drops.
IndependentsOct 16, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Jeffrey Zimmer Jeffrey Zimmer's decades of leadership at Reeds Jewelers are defined by integrity, a love of sourcing gemstones, and a heart for community.
AuctionsOct 16, 2025
Sotheby’s Introduces Custom Jewelry ServiceThe new high jewelry design and production process takes 30 days or less from concept to completion, the auction house said.
MajorsOct 16, 2025
Oscar Heyman’s Holiday Catalog Is Out, and It’s SpectacularThe holiday catalog for 2025 features never-before-seen images of more than 100 one-of-a-kind masterpieces.
CollectionsOct 16, 2025
Foundrae Adds To ‘United in Love’ CollectionThe brand has released a second installment of its collection of traditional and non-traditional commitment heirlooms.
