Editor’s Note
This article reports on the sale of watchmaker Baume & Mercier from Richemont to Damiani, a significant shift in the luxury watch landscape. The deal, set to conclude in 2026, underscores the ongoing strategic realignments within the high-end watch sector.
Swiss luxury group Richemont has announced the sale of its watch brand Baume & Mercier to the Italian group Damiani. The transaction, the amount of which has not been disclosed, is expected to be finalized in the summer of 2026 and will be accompanied by a long transition period.
Richemont announced the sale of Baume & Mercier, one of its watch brands, to the Italian group Damiani on Thursday, without disclosing the financial details of the operation.
Richemont has signed an agreement with this Italian family-owned company, which is active particularly in jewelry, to transfer the entirety of the brand.
given in particular its “strong presence” in Italy, the Geneva-based group stated in a press release.
The conditional transaction is expected to be finalized “during the summer of 2026,” it specified.
Founded in 1830, Baume & Mercier is one of the historic houses of Swiss watchmaking. The brand is positioned in the accessible luxury segment, with mechanical and quartz watches intended for an international clientele.
The agreement includes a transition period “of at least twelve months” during which Richemont will continue to provide “operational services” so that the Damiani group can prepare for the integration of Baume & Mercier.
Owner of the jewelry house Cartier, Richemont also heads a portfolio of watch brands that notably includes Piaget, IWC, and Vacheron-Constantin.
