JCK Take 3: HSNY, Patek Philippe, Pandora

By JCK News Desk | April 01, 2026

Organizations across the jewelry landscape are making moves: Beyer Chronometrie to close its doors after 266 years, Pandora turns to Canada to limit impact of U.S. tariffs, the Horological Society of New York marks its 160th year with a record-breaking gala.

HSNY Raises $1.2 Million at 160th Anniversary Gala

The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) marked its 160th anniversary with a glamorous gala at The Plaza (pictured here), raising an impressive $1.2 million to support watchmaking education and industry advancement.

More than 500 guests—including independent watchmakers, luxury brands, auction houses, and collectors—attended the black-tie celebration. Sotheby’s led the evening’s charity auction, where a signed F.P. Journe Octa Réserve de Marche wall clock sold for $200,000 and a unique Romain Gauthier titanium wristwatch earned $130,000.

HSNY presented a symbolic $450,000 check to Eliza Kurtz, a student at the Rolex Watchmaking Training Center. In total, the Society awarded 55 scholarships, supported ﬁve watchmaking schools, and granted three awards to independent watchmakers, totaling $450,000—four times more than last year’s amount.

Among the night’s honorees, François-Paul Journe received the Howard Fass Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Society’s highest honor. London Jewelers was recognized with the Centennial Recognition Award, acknowledging a century of service to jewelry and watch clients.

“Raising over $1 million for our mission enables us to continue to preserve, educate, and inspire the next generation of horologists. This funding will have a lasting and meaningful impact on the Society’s mission. One hundred sixty years is a remarkable milestone, and I am profoundly grateful to our guests and supporters for their generosity,” said HSNY executive director Nicholas Manousos.

Patek Philippe Buys 266-Year-Old Watch Industry Icon

Beyer Chronometrie, the world’s oldest watch retailer with a 266 year legacy, will close by year’s end following its sale to Patek Philippe. The landmark Zurich store on Bahnhofstrasse—long considered a cornerstone of the Swiss luxury watch landscape—will be converted into an expanded Patek Philippe boutique in 2027.

The move mirrors the game-changing 2023 acquisition of Bucherer by Rolex and illustrates an ongoing trend toward vertical integration among top watchmakers.

The sale follows the 2025 passing of longtime owner René Beyer, who left no direct heirs. Ownership transferred to his sister, Muriel Zahn Beyer, who confirmed that René had initiated the transition prior to his passing by selling a minority stake to Patek Philippe in 2024. The two companies have been partners since roughly 1842, when Beyer started retailing Patek Philippe timepieces.

With the acquisition, the store’s multi-brand offerings will be discontinued. Approximately one third of Beyer’s team will continue on at the enlarged Patek Philippe boutique.

The renowned Beyer Watch Museum—housed beneath the store for nearly a century—will not transfer with the sale and is expected to relocate elsewhere in Zurich.

Pandora Opens Facility in Canada to Curb Effect of U.S. Tariffs

Pandora has opened a new online distribution center in Mississauga, Ontario—marking a considerable investment in one of its fastest-growing markets. The new facility will help accelerate Pandora’s Canadian online business and lower the company’s exposure to U.S. tariffs.

Since 2019, Pandora’s Canadian revenue has surged more than 50%, surpassing 1 billion DKK (more than $3 million) in 2025, with more than 20% of sales now driven by e-commerce.

Previously, Canadian online orders were fulfilled through U.S. facilities, a process that added transit time and tariffs. The new Canadian hub is designed to cut delivery times, while also simplifying returns and eliminating U.S. customs from the fulfillment chain.

Operated by GXO Logistics, the site can process up to 12,500 online orders daily. It is also the first Pandora location to deploy the brand’s new scalable logistics architecture, replacing older market-specific systems. The advanced setup improves inventory accuracy, boosts order reliability, and strengthens flexibility with logistics partners. The center features “pick to light” technology to accelerate order assembly and minimize errors.

Pandora currently operates 96 stores across Canada and employs more than 1,400 people. Retail inventory will continue to be supplied directly from Pandora’s central distribution hub in Thailand.

The JCK News Desk uses AI to help produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed and edited by staff writer Libby Rutkey.