A Second Act for Ebel
An independent watchmaker, a couture house and a veteran CEO have bought a 1911 Swiss maison for $66.5 million. The people involved explain the bet.
Movado Group has agreed to sell 95 per cent of Ebel for $66.5 million to a buyer group led by Montres Journe SA, the Geneva manufacture behind F.P. Journe. Chanel — which has held a minority stake in F.P. Journe since 2018 — is part of the consortium.
The operating role goes to Pierre Jacques, the former chief executive of De Bethune, who will run Ebel. It is a cast that signals intent: an independent known for ruthless finishing, a house that has spent years quietly assembling watchmaking know-how, and a manager with a record at a small, technically ambitious brand.
“Something that cannot be manufactured quickly: more than a century of history.”ÉPURE
The deal fits a wider pattern of dormant names being revived by people who care about the craft rather than the logo — from historic marques returned to the bench to small houses relaunched by independent watchmakers.
What Ebel becomes is not yet public. But the buyers have bought themselves something that cannot be manufactured quickly: more than a century of history, waiting to be made relevant again.
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