Chanel and MB&F announced this week the signing of a partnership in which Chanel has taken a 25% stake in the independent high-end watch brand MB&F. Founded in 2005, MB&F was the world’s first horological concept laboratory; an artistic and micro-engineering creative laboratory dedicated to the design and manufacture of small series of radical concept watches. Based in Geneva, MB&F brings together horological experts – artists, watchmakers, designers, manufacturers – to create innovative, forward-thinking designs. Its critically acclaimed watches continue to follow the vision of founder Maximilian Büsser, creating 3D kinetic art by deconstructing traditional watchmaking.
This strategic investment demonstrates Chanel’s desire to evolve and invest in the future of high-end watchmaking expertise, creation and design. It follows a long-term strategy of partnering with luxury specialists to preserve and develop expert savoir-faire.
Chanel began its own watchmaking in 1987, establishing a watch design studio on Place Vendôme in Paris and investing in G&F Châtelain Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, which the Group acquired in 1993. This announcement follows similar investments by Chanel in high-end watch brands Romain Gauthier (2011) and F.P. Journe (2018), creating an expert ecosystem of watchmakers and suppliers that have remained independently run.
Founder Maximilian Büsser retains a majority stake in MB&F with 60%, while his partner in the company, Serge Kriknoc, owns 15%. Maximilian will continue to lead the creation and general management together with his management team consisting of Serge Kriknoc (Head of R&D & Production), Charris Yadigaroglou (Head of Marketing Communications) and Thibault Verdonckt (Head of Sales). The partnership was signed between Chanel SARL, Chanel’s Swiss subsidiary, andMB&F.
Frédéric Grangié, President of Chanel Watches & Fine Jewellery, emphasizes: “We are delighted to sign a strategic partnership with MB&F, which shares the same values of independence, creativity and excellence. This announcement is part of our long-term strategy to preserve, develop and invest in our expertise and know-how, thus reaffirming our position in the high-end watchmaking sector”.
Maximilian Büsser, founder of MB&F, comments: “It was our responsibility, in today’s very favorable environment and with our management team in its prime, to take this important step to secure our long-term future – a natural evolution for a company that will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year. Chanel’s investment will not only allow us to continue on our independent path, free from any growth pressure, but will also strengthen our operations by giving us access to their wider ecosystem and network of specialized suppliers when needed”.
To learn more, visit Chanel, here.
