One of the most sensational news stories of the year is shaking up the Swiss watchmaking world: François-Paul Journe and Chanel are preparing to take control of Ebel. A $66.5 million deal that brings together two highly prestigious names and opens a new, unexpected chapter in the history of the Maison, founded in 1911 in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
The news was officially announced today, October 8, 2026, by the Movado Group in a press release distributed by Business Wire and also published by the Financial Times. The binding agreement provides for the sale of 95% of Ebel to a group of investors led by Montres Journe SA, the Geneva-based company founded by the renowned independent master watchmaker François-Paul Journe. Chanel and Pierre Jacques are also participating in the transaction, with the latter set to assume the role of CEO of the brand.
An acquisition that suddenly propels Ebel into the international spotlight and raises a question as simple as it is fascinating: What can a watchmaker with over 115 years of history become under the guidance of some of the most influential figures in contemporary watchmaking?
F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Ebel: All the Details of the Acquisition
The transaction, announced by Movado Group, involves a purchase price of $66.5 million for a 95% stake in Ebel, while the U.S. group will retain a 5% minority stake. The transaction is expected to close in the coming months, subject to customary closing conditions and any adjustments provided for in the agreement.
Leading the acquiring group is Montres Journe SA, the company founded in 1999 by François-Paul Journe, one of the most influential and respected figures in independent haute horlogerie. Joining him is Chanel, which in recent years has consolidated its presence in the sector through investments and equity stakes in some of the most interesting Swiss watchmaking companies.
Rounding out the picture is Pierre Jacques, who is set to become Ebel’s new CEO. A well-known figure in the world of fine watchmaking, not least because of his previous experience at the helm of De Bethune, his involvement adds another layer of interest to the brand’s future development.
For the Movado Group, which has owned Ebel since 2004, the sale marks the end of a journey that has lasted more than twenty years. For the new investors, however, it represents an opportunity to work with a brand that possesses a historical, technical, and stylistic heritage of extraordinary value.
The Return of Ebel: One of the Leading Names in Swiss Watchmaking
To understand the significance of this acquisition, one must look at Ebel’s history. Founded in 1911 by Eugène Blum and Alice Lévy, the Maison has built its identity through a particularly successful blend of design, elegance, and watchmaking craftsmanship.
From the Sport Classic watches, with their characteristic fluid lines and wavy-link bracelets, to the famous 1911 collection, Ebel has successfully crafted a distinctive aesthetic that has stood the test of time and trends. In the 1980s and 1990s, the brand enjoyed a period of significant international visibility, establishing itself as one of the most iconic names in Swiss luxury watchmaking.
Ebel Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Ref. 8136901 in 18k yellow gold, circa 1990 | Credits: Phillips
Today, with the arrival of François-Paul Journe and Chanel, that heritage could become the starting point for a new journey.
Journe’s involvement is particularly significant. We are talking about a master watchmaker who has made creative independence, mechanical innovation, and design consistency the fundamental principles of his Manufacture. The prospect of this sensibility merging with Ebel’s legacy opens up extremely interesting possibilities, especially in terms of the product and the brand’s identity.
Ebel 1911 Ref. 8134901 with an obsidian dial, diamond hour markers, in 18k yellow gold, circa 1990 | Credits: Phillips
Chanel’s presence is also worth noting. Over the years, the French fashion house has demonstrated a growing appreciation for fine watchmaking and support for independent watchmakers, helping to strengthen an ecosystem in which artisanal expertise and creative freedom can coexist.
What does the future hold for Ebel?
At this time, no changes to the collections or a specific repositioning strategy have been announced. The coming months will shed light on the new group of investors’ intentions and the role each key player will play in the Maison’s development.
Ebel Sports Classic Chronograph Ref. 8134901 in 18k yellow gold, circa 1986 | Credit: Phillips
Expectations, however, are inevitably high. François-Paul Journe, Chanel, and Pierre Jacques represent three distinct and potentially complementary areas of expertise, ranging from watchmaking to strategic vision to the management of a high-end brand.
The challenge will be to highlight Ebel’s historical identity and restore prominence to a name that has helped write important chapters in the history of Swiss watchmaking.
Ebel Sports Classic Chronograph Ref. 8134901 with a blue mother-of-pearl dial, in 18k yellow gold, circa 1993 | Credits: Phillips
For a brand founded in 1911, 2026 could be remembered as the year of a new beginning. And with stars of this caliber, it will be impossible for the watchmaking world to look away.
Source: Movado Group, official press release distributed via Business Wire and published in the Financial Times, October 8, 2026.
Are you looking for the perfect gift? Explore our online store and discover the entire collection signed IWS – Italian Watch Spotter!
For all real-time updates on the world of watchmaking follow us on Instagram and visit our Youtube channel.
