A new strategic vision unveiled at Dubai Watch Week brings together Breitling, Universal Genève, and Gallet under one unified House of Brands

Published: Wed 3 Dec 2025, 12:39 PM

• Partner Content

• Share:
• • Follow on Google
  • Follow on WhatsApp
  • Follow on Telegram

In a defining moment for contemporary watchmaking, CEO Georges Kern unveiled the House of Brands, uniting three legendary watch maisons under a single strategic vision. Universal Genève and Gallet - two of the most storied names in horology join Breitling in a newly formed portfolio that spans accessible luxury to the rarest expressions of craftsmanship. Both maisons will be previewed during Dubai Watch Week ahead of their official relaunch in 2026.

At Dubai Watch Week, now one of the world's most influential platforms for horology, Kern presented the House of Brands as a curated family of marques, each with its own heritage, design language, and cultural relevance. Collectively, they reflect the full spectrum of modern watchmaking, from rugged and functional to artistic and ultra-luxury. Following earlier previews in Geneva and the US, the spotlight now moves to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and India - regions central to the future of global luxury. With Dubai Watch Week as its stage, the announcement signals confidence and long-term ambition.

“Our ambition is to build something curated, tailored, and agile,” says CEO Georges Kern.“It's a long-term strategy to develop a portfolio with select, exceptional and differentiated brands. By bringing these maisons together, we offer greater diversity across price points and lifestyles, meeting customers' evolving interests and aspirations. This reflects how today's collectors and consumers experience watchmaking.”

Universal Genève and Gallet - both revered for pioneering chronograph innovation - had gone dormant after the turbulence of the quartz era in the 1970s and '80s. Their return marks an important revival in Swiss watchmaking. Gallet, set to launch in autumn 2026, enters the portfolio at the accessible luxury segment. With a history dating back more than two centuries, the brand earned its reputation through reliability in extreme environments, from aviation to exploration. Among its milestones: the stopwatch used by the Wright brothers during the first controlled flight, and the Flying Officer - the world's first chronograph to track multiple time zones for early pilots and transcontinental travellers. Produced by Breitling, Gallet will debut as a sister brand through Breitling boutiques and select retail partners, bringing Swiss craftsmanship to a broader new generation.

Universal Genève, positioned above Breitling in the ultra-luxury segment, operates as a distinctly independent maison within the House of Brands. Known as Le Couturier de la Montre, its history is defined by bold design and artistic expression. From the iconic Polerouter - designed by a young Gérald Genta to its famed Compax chronographs, Universal Genève helped shape the DNA of modern watch design. Its relaunch aims to honour this legacy through creative innovations and collaborations with master artisans.

Breitling remains the centre of gravity within the House of Brands, balancing more than 140 years of expertise with a contemporary approach to casual luxury. As one of the few independent brands producing its own movements, Breitling forms the bridge between Gallet's adventurous spirit and Universal Genève's artistic, ultra-luxury identity.

“With Universal Genève and Gallet we are preserving and revitalizing important watchmaking legacies,” Kern explains.“By doing so, we continue to drive the industry forward while staying true to their heritage of innovation. Our strategy is to offer different entry points into the luxury universe - each brand telling a different story, but all sharing the same commitment to authentic craftsmanship and modern relevance.”

Ahead of their 2026 relaunch, Breitling has opened a dedicated two-storey, nearly 400-square-metre pavilion at Dubai Watch Week. Within this immersive space, select clients, retailers, and media are experiencing the House of Brands brought to life for the first time - an early glimpse of a new era in watchmaking.

MENAFN03122025000049011007ID1110429781