Panerai Names Emmanuel Perrin New CEO

Richemont-owned watch brand Panerai has named Emmanuel Perrin (pictured) CEO, effective April 1.

Perrin is a 33-year veteran of Richemont who for the last eight years has headed its specialty watchmaking division. He reports to the conglomerate’s CEO, Nicolas Bos.

He takes over from Jean-Marc Pontroué, who has been Panerai’s CEO since 2018. Pontroué is leaving Richemont after 25 years, which included leadership positions at Montblanc and Roger Dubuis.

Luxury newsletter Miss Tweed wrote that Perrin’s appointment “raises questions about the existence and function of [Richemont’s] specialist watchmakers division.” WatchPro speculated that Richemont may be moving toward a new structure where its eight watch brands function independently. Richemont did not respond to JCK‘s request for comment by press time.

Richemont’s archrival LVMH may also be making changes in the operation of its watch division. Frédéric Arnault recently stepped down as its head, and no replacement has been announced yet.

In a farewell message posted on Instagram, Pontroué called himself “a blessed and privileged person as I sincerely enjoyed every single day of my journey at Panerai.”