Sowind Group
The Sowind Group is a Swiss Haute Horlogerie company founded by Luigi Macaluso and headed by François-Henri Pinault as its chairman since July 2011. Kering is the majority shareholder (50,1% stake, the Macaluso family retains a 49,9% share of the capital).[1] Michele Sofisti was named CEO of Sowind Group in August 2011.[2]
 | |
| Industry | Watchmaking |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland |
Number of locations | the Girard-Perregaux museum in Villa Marguerite and the museum dedicated to watchmaking tools and machinery in the Villa JeanRichard |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | François-Henri Pinault |
| Products | Watches |
Number of employees | 280 |
| Parent | Kering  |
History
Based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Group incorporates the Girard-Perregaux and JEANRICHARD brands, a watch Manufacture that develops and produces a complete portfolio of high-end movements (more than 100 variations of existing movements) and collections of top-of-the-range watches.
Sowind Brands
Girard-Perregaux’s roots date back to 1791 and the company history is rich in innovations bringing together design and technology, like the renowned Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges created by Constant Girard in the 19th century. It’s one of the last authentic Swiss watchmaking manufactures, designing and producing watches including their movements.
JEANRICHARD is a brand dedicated to Daniel JeanRichard (a pioneer of watchmaking in the Neuchatel region during the 17th century) and presents a young and innovative interpretation of the codes of traditional Swiss watchmaking.
Partnership with Kering
In June 2008, Sowind Group and Kering announced the signature of a long-term strategic partnership. Under the partnership, Kering owned a 23% interest in the Sowind Group, with the possibility of increasing its stake under the terms of a shareholders’ agreement. In July 2011, Kering became the majority shareholder of Sowind Group.[3]
See also
Internal links
- List of watch manufactures
Sources
- François Chaille, Girard-Perregaux, Editions Flammarion, 2004, ISBN 2-08-011069-1
- ArmbandUhren, Special Girard-Perregaux, Peter Braun, 2007, ISBN 978-3-89880-808-8