Industry Jewelers Website harrywinston.com Founder Harry Winston Headquarters New York City | Products Jewelry and timepieces CEO Nayla Hayek (May 2013–) Founded 1932 Parent organization The Swatch Group | |
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Type Wholly owned subsidiary Key people Nayla Hayek, CEO
Harry Winston, Founder Profiles | ||
Harry Winston, Inc. is an American luxury jeweler and producer of Swiss timepieces.
Contents
Harry Winston is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Swatch Group, which acquired it from the Toronto based Harry Winston Diamond Corporation in January 2013. Named after its founder, the jeweler Harry Winston, the company has its headquarters in New York.
History
Harry Winston opened its first store in 1932.
Harry Winston was the first jeweler to loan diamonds to an actress for the Academy Awards, in 1943; after dressing Best Actress nominee Jennifer Jones in his signature diamonds, Winston became popular with Hollywood celebrities.
After the death of the company's founder, Harry Winston, the company went to his two sons, Ronald and Bruce, who then entered into a decade-long battle over the control of the company. In 2000, Ronald along with new business partner, Fenway Partners, bought Bruce out from the company for $54.1 million.
In 2010–2011, the company's sales were €246 million in total sales and €36 million in watches. The company also got a new CEO, Frederic de Narp, formerly of the Cartier North America. He succeeded Tom O'Neill.
On January 14, 2013, Harry Winston, Inc announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell its luxury brand diamond jewelry and timepiece division, Harry Winston Inc., to The Swatch Group Ltd. The transaction included the brand and all the activities related to jewelry and watches, including the 535 employees worldwide and the production company in Geneva (Switzerland).
Noted acquisitions
The company bought the flawless blue diamond The Winston Blue on 15 May 2014.