MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
WatchesJun 08, 2021
Mansour Ojjeh, the TAG in TAG Heuer, Dies at 68
Ojjeh was a legend in the world of Formula 1 racing and owned TAG Heuer from 1985 to 1999.
Two shots of the late Mansour Ojjeh provided by McLaren. The Ojjeh family owns Techniques d’Avant Garde, which is the “TAG” in TAG Heuer. Ojjeh owned the watch company from 1985 to 1999 when he sold it to LVMH.
Geneva—Mansour Ojjeh, a legend in the world of Formula 1 racing and the man behind the “TAG” in TAG Heuer, died Sunday in Geneva surrounded by his family.
He was 68.
McLaren shared news of Ojjeh’s death on its website Sunday morning.
According to a full obituary posted on the site later that day, Ojjeh was born on Sept. 25, 1952.
His father, Akram Ojjeh, was a businessman and industrialist who started Techniques d’Avant Garde—better known by the acronym TAG—in 1975 as a holding company for his myriad investments.
The younger Ojjeh studied at the American School in Paris, earned a bachelor’s in business at Menlo College in Atherton, California and his master’s degree at the University of Santa Clara.
Through TAG, the Ojjeh family was involved in a number of industries, including motor racing (Mansour Ojjeh had been a main shareholder in McLaren since the early ‘80s), aviation and the watch industry.
In 1985, Ojjeh bought the watch company that was the timing partner for McLaren, Heuer, a Swiss watchmaker that traces its roots to 1860.
A new watch brand was born—TAG Heuer.
He was 68.
McLaren shared news of Ojjeh’s death on its website Sunday morning.
According to a full obituary posted on the site later that day, Ojjeh was born on Sept. 25, 1952.
His father, Akram Ojjeh, was a businessman and industrialist who started Techniques d’Avant Garde—better known by the acronym TAG—in 1975 as a holding company for his myriad investments.
The younger Ojjeh studied at the American School in Paris, earned a bachelor’s in business at Menlo College in Atherton, California and his master’s degree at the University of Santa Clara.
Through TAG, the Ojjeh family was involved in a number of industries, including motor racing (Mansour Ojjeh had been a main shareholder in McLaren since the early ‘80s), aviation and the watch industry.
In 1985, Ojjeh bought the watch company that was the timing partner for McLaren, Heuer, a Swiss watchmaker that traces its roots to 1860.
A new watch brand was born—TAG Heuer.
TAG Heuer is saddened by the passing of Mansour Ojjeh, a great friend of the company whose support was key in building us into the brand we are today. pic.twitter.com/rCKwG1XBTC
— TAG Heuer (@TAGHeuer) June 6, 2021
Ojjeh’s company, TAG Gruppe, was the largest single shareholder of TAG Heuer. LVMH Moёt Hennessy Louis Vuitton bought the brand in 1999 for $740 million.
On Sunday, TAG Heuer said via social media that it was saddened to learn of Ojjeh’s death, calling him “a great friend of the company whose support was key in building us into the brand we are today.”
Ojjeh suffered from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, progressive lung disease, and underwent a double lung transplant in 2013.
He recovered and returned to work, taking on an executive role with McLaren in 2017.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and their four children, Lana, Lia, Sara and Sultan.
On Sunday, TAG Heuer said via social media that it was saddened to learn of Ojjeh’s death, calling him “a great friend of the company whose support was key in building us into the brand we are today.”
Ojjeh suffered from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, progressive lung disease, and underwent a double lung transplant in 2013.
He recovered and returned to work, taking on an executive role with McLaren in 2017.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and their four children, Lana, Lia, Sara and Sultan.
More on Watches
The Latest
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
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.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
SurveysJul 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Ticks Up in JulyRespondents shared concerns about tariffs and commentary on the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
SourcingJul 30, 2025
Rob Bates to Release Latest Book in His ‘Diamond District Mystery’ Series“Making a Killing in Diamonds” tells the story of Mimi Rosen, the disappearance of a scientist, and the murder of lab-grown diamond CEO.
EditorsJul 29, 2025
Out & About: Visiting Tacori’s Design Studio in LASenior Editor Lenore Fedow learned a lot when she took a behind-the-scenes factory tour with the jewelry brand earlier this year.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2025
Melee The Show Welcomes 15 New DesignersThe first-time exhibitors, set to debut at the New York City show, share a devotion to craftsmanship, storytelling, and material integrity.
SourcingJul 29, 2025
Auctim to Offer 7.3M+ Carats of Rough EmeraldsThe online auction house’s September sale will feature rough Brazilian emeralds of various qualities.
MajorsJul 29, 2025
Alexis Padis Re-Elected AGS Board President She’ll lead an executive committee consisting of President-Elect Bryan Moeller, Mitchell Clark, Bill Farmer, and Larry Rickert.
Policies & IssuesJul 28, 2025
U.S.-EU Come to Agreement on Tariffs Announced Sunday, the deal will set the tax on goods imported into the United States from the European Union at 15 percent.
CollectionsJul 28, 2025
Nanis Brings a New Palette to ‘Ipanema’A new edition of the Italian brand’s “Ipanema” collection has debuted with gemstones that evoke Brazil’s breathtaking views.
MajorsJul 28, 2025
The 1916 Company Partners with ‘Shark Tank’ Star’s Watch Insurance PlatformThe retailer will refer its customers to WonderCare, founded by venture capitalist and watch collector Kevin O’Leary.
IndependentsJul 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin to Open Flagship in Arkansas The jeweler’s largest store yet is set to open in Little Rock next fall.
CollectionsJul 25, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jemma Wynne’s ‘Forme’ NecklaceAnne Hathaway was seen wearing the toggle necklace three times while filming scenes for “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Events & AwardsJul 25, 2025
Pre-Registration Open for September Hong Kong ShowJewellery & Gem World Hong Kong is scheduled for Sept. 15 to 21, and buyer pre-registration will be available until Sept. 7.
FinancialsJul 25, 2025
LVMH Sales Slip in H1 Amid ‘Prevailing Uncertainties’Renovations at Tiffany & Co. stores ate into profits in the company’s watch and jewelry division.
Events & AwardsJul 24, 2025
2 Retailers to Receive 2026 Gem Award for Lifetime AchievementMark and Candy Udell of London Jewelers will receive the honor at the 24th annual Gem Awards next March.
SourcingJul 24, 2025
De Beers Sees Diamond Production Sink 36% in Q2 While struggles continue at the mining and trading end of the pipeline, consumer demand for diamond jewelry is holding steady.
CollectionsJul 24, 2025
Francesca Villa Adds Dimension to Her Intaglio CharactersThe “Fantasia” jewelry collection turns the intaglio animals from her “Close Encounters” collection into 3D characters.
