All Brands Owned by Sowind Group

What does Sowind Group own?
Sowind Group owns two luxury watch brands: Girard-Perregaux (founded 1791, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds) and Ulysse Nardin (founded 1846, based in Le Locle). Both brands are full in-house manufactures, meaning they design and produce their own movements, cases, dials, and components in Switzerland. Sowind Group operates as a holding company for these two brands, sharing corporate functions while maintaining separate brand identities and manufacturing facilities.

Is Sowind Group publicly traded?
No. Sowind Group is a privately held company. Following the 2022 management buyout from Kering, the company is owned by its management team, led by Patrick Pruniaux. The company does not file public financial statements and does not disclose revenue figures. This private ownership structure is common for independent Swiss watchmakers.

Who founded Sowind Group?
Sowind Group's brands have deep historical roots. Girard-Perregaux traces its origins to 1791 when Jean-Francois Bautte established his watchmaking workshop in Geneva. The Girard-Perregaux name was established when Constant Girard married Marie Perregaux in the 19th century. Ulysse Nardin was founded in 1846 by Ulysse Nardin in Le Locle. Sowind Group as a corporate entity was formed when Kering acquired the brands in 2011, and it became independent in 2022 through a management buyout led by Patrick Pruniaux.

Where is Sowind Group headquartered?
Sowind Group is headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchatel, Switzerland. La Chaux-de-Fonds is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its watchmaking urban planning and is one of the historic centers of Swiss watchmaking. Girard-Perregaux's manufacturing facility is in La Chaux-de-Fonds, while Ulysse Nardin's facility is in Le Locle, also in the Neuchatel canton.

Who leads Sowind Group?
Patrick Pruniaux serves as Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Sowind Group SA. Pruniaux led the management buyout from Kering in 2022 and has driven the company's strategy as an independent luxury watchmaker. Under his leadership, the group has received Deloitte Best Managed Companies recognition for three consecutive years and has expanded its focus on emerging markets, particularly India.

Why did Kering sell Sowind Group?
Kering sold its 100% stake in Sowind Group to the company's management in 2022 as part of its strategy to prioritize Houses with the potential to become sizable assets within the Group. Kering's portfolio is focused on fashion and leather goods brands that generate billions in annual revenue, and Sowind Group's watch brands, while prestigious, did not have the scale to become major revenue contributors within the Kering portfolio.