Georges Kern, Richemont’s Head of Watchmaking, Marketing and Digital, and the man widely credited with building IWC Schaffhausen into a global success story, today announced his resignation from the Richemont Group, effective immediately, after only four months in the new management position. According to industry sources, Kern will be taking his talents to another aviation-themed Swiss luxury watch brand, Breitling, which was sold to a private equity firm, CVC Capital Partners, earlier this year. (The Swiss newspaper Le Temps reports that Kern has acquired a stake in Breitling, citing unnamed sources.)
Georges Kern

Richemont released a short statement on the resignation to the press, which reads as follows:

“Richemont regrets to announce the resignation with immediate effect of Mr Georges Kern. Mr Kern was Head of Watchmaking, Marketing and Digital. He has stepped down from the Senior Executive Committee and the Group Management Committee and will no longer be standing for election to the Board of Directors of Compagnie Financière Richemont SA at the forthcoming annual general meeting of shareholders.
Commenting on Mr Kern’s decision, Mr Johann Rupert, Chairman, said, ‘Georges has been offered an interesting opportunity to become an entrepreneur.  He has had a very successful career at IWC Schaffhausen and we wish him well.’

Richemont’s watchmaking, marketing and digital activities will report to the Senior Executive Committee....