Kering today announces the appointment of Antonio Calce as Chief Executive Officer of Sowind Group, effective immediately. He will report to Albert Bensoussan, CEO of Kering’s ‘Luxury – Watches & Jewelry’ division.

As part of his new role, Antonio Calce will supervise the management of the brands Girard- Perregaux and JeanRichard, both parts of the Sowind Group, as well as its manufacturing activities.

Albert Bensoussan, CEO of Kering’s ‘Luxury – Watches & Jewellery’ division, declared: “I am delighted to welcome Antonio at Sowind and within the Kering group today. His extensive experience in the Haute Horlogerie and in the luxury watches sector and his deep knowledge of its industrial and commercial stakes, will allow him to fully support the brands’ growth on international markets”.


Antonio Calce, an Italian national, started his career within the Richemont group in 1994 as head of the technical department of Manufacture Piaget, before moving to product management responsibilities. In 2001, he was appointed director of operations and product development for Panerai. In 2005, Calce moved on to Montres Corum, where he was sucessivly appointed Vice President of Operations and Chief Executive Officer. Antonio Calce holds degrees in microtechnology and management studies.


Based in La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland, Sowind is a group specialized in Haute Horlogerie which includes the Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard brands. Sowind Group incorporates a manufacturing activity that develops and produces a complete portfolio of high-end watch movements and mechanical watches for its two brands and third parties. Sowind Group is part of the Kering group.


A world leader in apparel and accessories, Kering develops an ensemble of powerful Luxury and Sport & Lifestyle brands: Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier, Sergio Rossi, Boucheron, Dodo, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Pomellato, Qeelin, Ulysse Nardin, Puma, Volcom, Cobra, Electric and Tretorn. By ‘empowering imagination’ in the fullest sense, Kering encourages its brands to reach their potential, in the most sustainable manner. Present in more than 120 countries, the Group generated revenues of €9.7 billion in 2013 and had 35,000 employees at year end. The Kering (previously PPR) share is listed on Euronext Paris (FR 0000121485, KER.PA, KER.FP).