CEO Georges Kern Discusses Breitling And The Relaunch of Universal Genève | Hodinkee Radio

This week, Breitling CEO Georges Kern joins Hodinkee Founder Benjamin Clymer and Hodinkee Radio host Tony Traina for an in-depth discussion of Breitling's surprise acquisition of Universal Genève. Kern offers insight into his plans for the brand's relaunch, his tenure at Breitling, and the changes he's seen over his more than 30 years of working in the watch industry.

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#hodinkee #watches #podcast #breitling #universalgeneve

[AverageBros]

I was really hoping they would approach the relaunch with a two-prong pincer strategy, reissuing the simple yet elegant Polerouter to dominate mid-tier offerings under $5K as a reverse halo (cementing class leading value for a new generation), then on the other end of the spectrum, release their higher complications and chrono's comfortably above Breitling in the $12-18K (2x higher for precious metals and true high complication) to capture the smaller batch/higher margin market segment. This would elevate both UG and B and prevent any in-group crossover.

[jeanlefranc]

Before his « face reveal », Andrew Morgan was known as « the talking hands ».

Hodinkee Tony and Ben should be named « the talking socks and sneakers », given this is what the viewers are mostly presented with.

[CyennaB]

Love the brand over 20 years some of the pieces work after 20 years still great without any services so I love the brand

[RedwoodAggie]

This was a great interview and a great "get" for Hodinkee. I loved hearing his thoughts on UG and Breitling. 2026 cannot come soon enough... Nice work!

[Greggieboy]

Great interview. I am a big fan of the brand!

[DougLaViolette]

Really enjoyed your collective insights on the industry and the amazing watch community.

[robpelletier]

I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Kern. His insight to the watch industry is spot on.

[angikarchmer]

Always interesting to hear Mr. Kern. Thanks for the interview. Just for fun I'm predicting the new time only manufacture movement will debut in a new TransOcean line, perhaps in a dial with crosshairs. I hope so anyway.

[kevinfernandez]

Does anyone know what watch George is wearing??

[teakcore]

3 years time for an auto caliber and 5 years for a chrono caliber, hope the final result will be near perfect!

[Antlav]

I hope they release a new aerospace In the coming months... if they get it right I think it will be awesome

[bjoernaltmann]

The Superocean Heritage 57 is very elegant. Retro modern at its best.

[jcc]

Vulcain is a good brand with great history but somehow capture the current market, hopufully UG could do better

[pyruvicsynthase]

I LOVE THE BREITLING TOP TIME SHELBY COBRA, TELL HIM TO GIFT ME ONE AND YES I AM SCREAMING PLSSS

[pipolebnene]

Tell him their boxes are very cheap. They should make nice boxes like in the past. Also why should i overspend in the boutique when on chrono i can buy a new breitling for 30-40% off

[PocketUau]

I swear to god, if they price UG's base models over $2000, they'll be sorely missing out on the opportunity to undercut many competitors. A Polerouter re-edition at $4000 would completely outdo the Wilsdorf sisters and all of Swatch Group in one sweep. I can already imagine quartz and microtor Shadows in steel and precious metals, especially white gold which is sorely rare in today's sub-10k market.

[johnmonachelli]

Wish it was that way here mr kern, I've witnessed a scallywag purchase a 1740s farm house and put vinyl siding on it lol

[atmavictu]

What a boring 30 minutes, just generic talks.

[ListenToPowerViolence]

I have two sacks of mint Evil Ninas I'm thinking of auctioning off.

[peterburke]

Breitling watches are fragile and their servicing costs are contemptuous. Will never buy another or recommend. If you want to strut, get a brand with real caché, otherwise just get a Seiko.