Sowind group
Encyclopedia
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. PPR
is the majority shareholder (50,1% stake, the Macaluso family retains a 49,9% share of the capital).
Michele Sofisti was named CEO of Sowind Group in August 2011.
, 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.
’s roots date back to 1791 and the company history is rich in innovations bringing together design and technology, like the renown 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.
announced the signature of a long-term strategic partnership.
Under the partnership, PPR
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, PPR
became the majority shareholder of Sowind Group .
ArmbandUhren, Special Girard-Perregaux, Peter Braun, 2007, ISBN 978-3-89880-808-8
Luigi Macaluso
Luigi "Gino" Macaluso was the President and Chairman of the Sowind group, under whose roof a watch Manufacture and the two Brands Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard are united...
and headed by François-Henri Pinault
François-Henri Pinault
François-Henri Pinault, born in Rennes, Brittany, France, is a French businessman and the chief executive officer of PPR. He is the son of the company's founder, businessman François Pinault...
as its Chairman since July 2011. PPR
PPR (company)
PPR is a French multinational holding company specializing in retail shops and luxury brands. The company was founded in 1963 by the businessman François Pinault and is now run by his son François-Henri Pinault. It is quoted on Euronext Paris and is a constituent of the CAC 40 index...
is the majority shareholder (50,1% stake, the Macaluso family retains a 49,9% share of the capital).
Michele Sofisti was named CEO of Sowind Group in August 2011.
History
Based in La Chaux-de-FondsLa Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds is a Swiss city of the district of La Chaux-de-Fonds in the canton of Neuchâtel. It is located in the Jura mountains at an altitude of 1000 m, a few kilometres from the French border. After Geneva and Lausanne, it is the third largest city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of...
, the Group incorporates the Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux is a high-end Swiss watch manufacture with its origins dating back to 1791. It is situated in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland and is a part of the Sowind group, a subsidiary of PPR.- History :...
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-PerregauxGirard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux is a high-end Swiss watch manufacture with its origins dating back to 1791. It is situated in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland and is a part of the Sowind group, a subsidiary of PPR.- History :...
’s roots date back to 1791 and the company history is rich in innovations bringing together design and technology, like the renown Tourbillon
Tourbillon
In horology, a tourbillon is an addition to the mechanics of a watch escapement. Developed around 1795 by the French-Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet from an earlier idea by the English chronometer maker John Arnold a tourbillon aims to counter the effects of gravity by mounting the...
with Three Gold Bridges created by Constant Girard
Constant Girard
Constant Girard was a Swiss watchmaker from the 19th century, who marked his time by his developments in the escapement systems, in particular that of the tourbillon...
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 PPR
In June 2008, Sowind Group and PPRPPR
PPR may refer to:* Pipe Penetrating Radar, Ground Penetrating Radar performed from inside buried pipe and conduit infrastructure* PPR , a French luxury goods and retail distribution company...
announced the signature of a long-term strategic partnership.
Under the partnership, PPR
PPR
PPR may refer to:* Pipe Penetrating Radar, Ground Penetrating Radar performed from inside buried pipe and conduit infrastructure* PPR , a French luxury goods and retail distribution company...
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, PPR
PPR (company)
PPR is a French multinational holding company specializing in retail shops and luxury brands. The company was founded in 1963 by the businessman François Pinault and is now run by his son François-Henri Pinault. It is quoted on Euronext Paris and is a constituent of the CAC 40 index...
became the majority shareholder of Sowind Group .
External links
- Girard-Perregaux website
- Worldtempus website
- History of Girard-Perregaux
- Website of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie
- Gucci Group website
- PPR website
- Boucheron website
- Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie website
Sources
François Chaille, Girard-Perregaux, Editions Flammarion, 2004, ISBN 2-08-011069-1ArmbandUhren, Special Girard-Perregaux, Peter Braun, 2007, ISBN 978-3-89880-808-8