Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling has been sold to CVC Partners, the private equity group revealed Friday. CVC announced in a statement in London that it will purchase a majority 80-percent stake in Breitling from Theodore Schneider, who will hold 20 percent after completion of the transaction.
The private equity giant did not give a price but Bloomberg News estimated the deal was worth in excess of 800 million euros ($870 million).
Breitling, one of the few remaining Swiss watch brands to be independently owned, was founded in 1884 when Leon Breitling opened up a workshop in the Jura mountains.The Swiss company now employs 900 people and is headquartered in Grenchen in Switzerland. It has two manufacturing facilities, in Grenchen and La Chaux-de-Fonds.
“I am convinced CVC is the right partner to elevate Breitling to the next level,” said Theodore Schneider in the statement. “CVC’s expertise, track-record and international network will help unlock Breitling’s full potential.”
The deal is expected to close in June 2017, subject to approval by relevant competition authorities.
Courtesy CPP-Luxury.com