Bucherer Snaps Up California Jeweler

RAPAPORT... The US branch of Swiss watch and jewelry retailer Bucherer has acquired Leeds & Son, aiming to expand its presence within the US market.California-based Leeds & Son is a family-owned fine-jewelry and watch retailer, carrying brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Messika, Bucherer said last week. The company, founded in 1947, is run by CEO Terry Weiner. In 2018, Bucherer bought Baron & Leeds, which Weiner founded in 2002. "We're excited to welcome the Leeds & Son team to the Bucherer family and expand our customer relationship in California," said Ira Melnitsky, CEO of Torneau and president of Bucherer USA. "The Leeds & Son team has worked tremendously hard to foster a loyal community and we are looking forward to building on that success. In 2018 we acquired Baron & Leeds in Costa Mesa and Hawaii and could not be happier with the ongoing success of those stores."Bucherer first entered the American market with the 2018 acquisition of timepiece chain Tourneau. Outside the US, the company operates stores across Switzerland, Germany, the UK, France, Austria and Denmark.Image: A Leeds & Son store in Palm Desert, California. (Leeds & Son)