Who is the richest man in the Swiss watchmaking industry?

Every year, the Swiss financial magazine "Bilanz" publishes a list of the wealthiest people in Switzerland living in various industries. The latest list released in January 2017 is based on the previous year's statistics. Although the watchmaking industry is smaller and smaller on the list than other industries, they dominate the list.

Switzerland's largest financial magazine (bilanz)

The "Bilanz" richest man estimates the net asset value of the Swiss franc at the release of 1 Swiss franc equivalent to 1 US dollar. The following list is drawn from the "Bilanz" richest list, entry of individuals and families whose fortune stems mainly from the tabulation. The Swiss watchmaking industry's richest list is still dominated by familiar names, led by Rupert, Hayek and Stern.

1, John Rupert - 4.75 billion Swiss francs

(Richemont, tobacco)

Richemont Group corner

South African John Rupert, originally a commercial banker who later turned to tobacco tycoon, is the controlling shareholder of the luxury tycoon Richemont, which owns brands such as Cartier and IWC. Affected by the slump in sales of luxury goods and the falling share price of the Group, John Rupert's personal assets dropped from 5.5 billion Swiss francs in 2015 to 4.75 billion Swiss francs in 2016.

2, Hayek family - 4.25 billion Swiss francs

(Swatch Group)

Swatch Group's brand

The Hayek family holds the Swatch Group, led by Nick Hayek, Nye Hayek and Mark Hayek, the son of Nai Hayek. Affected by the dramatic drop in Swatch shares, the Hayek family's assets dropped from 5.5 billion Swiss francs in 2015 to 4.25 billion Swiss francs in 2016. Although the Swatch Group just released 2016 earnings report is not satisfactory, but Nick Hayek believes that the status of the group in 2017 will be positive improvement.

3, Stern family - 3.25 billion Swiss francs

(Patek Philippe)

Patek Philippe Museum

Stern family has huge assets, thanks to control Patek Philippe. It is estimated that Patek Philippe annual sales (wholesale price, rather than retail price) up to 1.3 billion Swiss francs. In 2015, Patek Philippe invested 500 million Swiss francs to expand the watchmaking workshop in Geneva, showing the extraordinary profitability of the brand. At present, Patek Philippe is led by Terry Sten (succeeding his father Phillip Sten).

4, Baoqi Lai family - 17.5 billion Swiss francs

(Baozilei Group, watches and clocks retail)

Pozzi logo

The Bauchi Group, the largest watch retailer in Europe, has an estimated annual sales of up to 1.5 billion Swiss francs and is currently led by the third generation family member Jörg Bajilai. The group is still owned by its family of the same name with more than 30 watch stores, more than 10 jewelry stores and a number of single-brand boutiques in Europe.

5, Schaefer family - 17.5 million Swiss francs

(Chopard)

Chopard headquarters

The Schaeffler family was originally a jeweler from the German city of Pforzheim and took over the Chopard brand in 1963. Headquartered in Geneva, the company is currently headed by Karl Schaefer and Karl-Frederick (Caroline Schäfer), with sales of up to 570 million Swiss francs per year in watches and jewelery.

6, Borer family - 17.5 million Swiss francs

(Rolex)

Daikin labor

The Aegler-Borer family, led by Harry Borer, now 89, once owned Rolex Biel, the exclusive supplier of the Rolex Geneva movement. In 2004, Rolex Geneva took over Rolex Biel, leaving a huge fortune for the Aegler-Borer family.

7, Audemars and Piguet family - 950 million Swiss francs

(Auntie)

Royal Oak Watch The world's first luxury sports watch

It is estimated that Audemars Piguet sales of up to 800 million Swiss francs. Meanwhile, in the past two years, the industry downturn, Audemars Piguet is one of the few luxury watch brands that can sustain growth, which brings a steady flow of wealth to future generations of the brand's founder. Currently, Aude is planning to control more distribution channels. The profitability of the brand is expected to be further enhanced in the next few years.

8, Schneider family - 750 million Swiss francs

(Breitling)

Breitling watches have the "aeronautical computer" reputation

Breitling has been owned by the Schneider family since 1979. Although the growth rate of Breitling compared to its competitors has slowed in recent years, its annual sales still amount to 370 million Swiss francs. Recent news that Breitling is considering selling, but so far there is no public appearance of suitors.

Jean-Pierre Slavic - 325 million Swiss francs

(Waterproof crown)

Jean-Pierre Slavic's fortune comes from Boninchi SA, the company that has been the leading crown supplier in the history of Rolex. In 2001, Slavic sold the company to Rolex. Now known for his car collection, including a Ferrari 250GTO.

10, Bernheim and Weil family - 2.75 billion Swiss francs

(Raymond Wei)

Now, RAYMOND WEIL is run by the grandson of the founders of the same name. It is estimated that Raymond Wei annual sales of 210 million Swiss francs, and this figure has been stable for many years.

11, Vartan Sirmakes - 225 million Swiss francs

(Frank Muller)

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