Binda Group
Encyclopedia
The Binda Group is an Italian watch
and jewelry company founded in 1906, headquartered in Milan
and headed by brothers Marcello and Simone Binda, grandsons of the founder Innocente Binda. The company owns subsidiaries in eight countries (Italy, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Portugal and China) and has 50 distributors, serving more than 12,000 retailers worldwide.
Binda’s three main business units are watches, jewelry and leather. It produces and distributes its own brands, including Breil Milano, Breil Tribe, Wyler Genève and Details. The company also licenses watch and jewelry brands from Dolce & Gabbana
(D&G Time and Jewels), Moschino
CheapAndChic, Ducati and Nike
. In 1997, Binda acquired the distribution rights to Seiko
and Lorus for the Italian market. It also distributes Paris Hilton
watches in Italy and upscale Glam Rock
watches in the United States, Canada and Italy.
Binda operates in more than 70 markets with approximately 400 employees worldwide, and ended 2007 with consolidated revenues of €
297 million euros and sales of approximately 5 million pieces. Its watches include those made in the Far East, retailing under $100 (75 euros), Swiss-made ones, averaging about $1,400 (1,000 euros), and complicated tourbillon watches, retailing above $184,000 (130,000 euros).
Breil Milano’s two brand ambassadors are Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron
and movie star Edward Norton
.
, Tommy Bahama
, Betsey Johnson
, BCBG
, Ted Baker
, Mexx
, Speedo
, Elgin, Thomas Kinkade
and Mudd Jeans
.
During the year ending March 2008, Geneva recorded net revenues of US$192 million dollars, and sold around 25 million watches. With the acquisition, Binda expects 2008’s total sale revenues to reach €450 million euros ($665 million dollars). The company will be headed by Jeff Gregg, who will report to Gianni Pieraccioni, Binda Group managing director.
Watch
A watch is a small timepiece, typically worn either on the wrist or attached on a chain and carried in a pocket, with wristwatches being the most common type of watch used today. They evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century. The first watches were...
and jewelry company founded in 1906, headquartered in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
and headed by brothers Marcello and Simone Binda, grandsons of the founder Innocente Binda. The company owns subsidiaries in eight countries (Italy, the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Portugal and China) and has 50 distributors, serving more than 12,000 retailers worldwide.
Binda’s three main business units are watches, jewelry and leather. It produces and distributes its own brands, including Breil Milano, Breil Tribe, Wyler Genève and Details. The company also licenses watch and jewelry brands from Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian luxury industry fashion house. The company was started by the Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in Milan, Italy. By 2005 their turnover was €597 million....
(D&G Time and Jewels), Moschino
Moschino
Moschino is an Italian fashion design house and manufacturer of women's, men's and children's fashion.-History:The brand was originally created in 1983 by the late Franco Moschino...
CheapAndChic, Ducati and Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
. In 1997, Binda acquired the distribution rights to Seiko
Seiko
, more commonly known simply as Seiko , is a Japanese watch company.-History and ongoing developments:The company was founded in 1881, when Kintarō Hattori opened a watch and jewelry shop called in the Ginza area of Tokyo, Japan. Eleven years later, in 1892, he began to produce clocks under the...
and Lorus for the Italian market. It also distributes Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
watches in Italy and upscale Glam Rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
watches in the United States, Canada and Italy.
Binda operates in more than 70 markets with approximately 400 employees worldwide, and ended 2007 with consolidated revenues of €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
297 million euros and sales of approximately 5 million pieces. Its watches include those made in the Far East, retailing under $100 (75 euros), Swiss-made ones, averaging about $1,400 (1,000 euros), and complicated tourbillon watches, retailing above $184,000 (130,000 euros).
Breil Milano’s two brand ambassadors are Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron is a South African actress, film producer and former fashion model.She rose to fame in the late 1990s following her roles in 2 Days in the Valley, Mighty Joe Young, The Devil's Advocate and The Cider House Rules...
and movie star Edward Norton
Edward Norton
Edward Harrison Norton is an American actor, screenwriter, film director and producer. In 1996, his supporting role in the courtroom drama Primal Fear garnered him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor...
.
Geneva Watch Group
On September 4, 2008, the Binda Group entered an agreement with private equity firm Heritage Partners to acquire 100 percent of Advance Watch Group Ltd., the U.S. watch and clock manufacturer doing business as Geneva Watch. Geneva Watch Group began producing timepieces in 1974 and is headquartered in New York. The company has around 1800 employees worldwide, split between locations in the US (300 in New York and Michigan) and the Far East (1500 in Hong Kong and China). The company makes and distributes its own surfer brand (Freestyle) and also licenses brands from Kenneth ColeKenneth Cole Productions
Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. is an American fashion house founded in 1982 by Kenneth Cole. He originally named the company Kenneth Cole Incorporated in September 1982 and planned to showcase his new line of shoes during market week at the Hilton New York Hotel...
, Tommy Bahama
Tommy Bahama
Tommy Bahama is the Seattle-based manufacturer of casual, men’s & women’s sportswear, denim, swimwear, accessories, footwear and a complete home furnishings collection. The brand is owned by Atlanta-based Oxford Industries. Tommy Bahama is available at Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Sak's Fifth Avenue,...
, Betsey Johnson
Betsey Johnson
Betsey Johnson is an American fashion designer best known for her feminine and whimsical designs. Many of her designs are considered "over the top" and embellished...
, BCBG
BCBG
BCBG may refer to:* the French acronym bon chic bon genre or * Women's clothing line created by Max Azria* Bon Chic Bon Genre, an album by Campag Velocet...
, Ted Baker
Ted Baker
Ted Baker is a British clothing retail company, known for applying twists to its products, and has become a UK designer label through word of mouth rather than advertising.-History:...
, Mexx
Mexx
Mexx is an international fashion company that designs clothes and accessories for men, women and children. Mexx creates fashion that is inspired by the energy, style and trends of life in the big city. The Mexx’ metropolitan casual look is smart, classy and self confident.Every piece of Mexx...
, Speedo
Speedo
Speedo International Ltd. is a manufacturer and distributor of swimwear and swim-related accessories. Founded in Australia in 1914, the industry leading company is now a subsidiary of Pentland Group Plc. Today, the Speedo brand can be found on products ranging from swimsuits and goggles to wrist...
, Elgin, Thomas Kinkade
Thomas Kinkade
Thomas Kinkade is an American painter of popular and commercial realistic, bucolic, and idyllic subjects. He is notable for the mass marketing of his work as printed reproductions and other licensed products via The Thomas Kinkade Company...
and Mudd Jeans
Mudd Jeans
Mudd Jeans is a women's jeans brand marketed to young girls, teenagers, and women.The Mudd brand became popular in 1995 when they introduced their affordable flare-leg jean, which was a popular style at the time...
.
During the year ending March 2008, Geneva recorded net revenues of US$192 million dollars, and sold around 25 million watches. With the acquisition, Binda expects 2008’s total sale revenues to reach €450 million euros ($665 million dollars). The company will be headed by Jeff Gregg, who will report to Gianni Pieraccioni, Binda Group managing director.