Originally targeting a market focused on children with quality and colorful watches, Jack Barouh the founder of Michele out of Latin America, had created an overnight success with the brand named after his daughter. Jack’s genetics gave him the ultimate advantage in watchmaking – his father, Maurice, was a famous watchmaker from Belgium who was a stickler for producing only the best pieces by technique and quality. Maurice’s dedication to craftsmanship was passed on to Jack and only made the advancement of his family’s notoriety grow that much faster. The success of his children’s brand gave way to the more mature market, thus (upon agreement with Rita, Jack’s wife) the Michele brand was born out of the US in Miami, FL and the collection thrived.

Based on a backbone of quality, stylish interpretations of modern timepieces grew into an almost overnight success for the brand. Jack’s daughter Michele and son Jeremy joined the family business in 2002 and just 2 years later they grew so much they caught the eye of famous watch company, Fossil (and lets be honest, not all watches are created equal). In a supposedly “all cash” deal of $50 million, Fossil bought Tempus International Corp. (manufacturer, marketer, and distributer for the Michele watch brands). Tempus International Corp. has offices in both Miami, FL and Geneva, Switzerland according to JCK Online. Sold online and through specialty retailers, like Woodrow Jewelers in Rye, NY, and department stores, Michele’s name has been and will continue to be synonymous with style, beauty, and quality.

Rivaling Michael Kors, Cartier, Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Stuart Weitzman, David Yurman, Ralph Lauren, Baume and Mercier, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Tag Heuer, Vera Wang, Givenchy, and other fine jewelry creators, Michele has taken its rightful place on the podium of top timepiece designers. According to BusinessInsider, Michele was ranked one of the top 5 most popular women’s watches of 2016, and for such a young watch company, compared to one of its competitors Movado (founded in 1881), that is a testament to its founder’s ability to speak to the style of the modern woman. With collections like Deco, Serein, Belmore, Urban, Sport Sail, and Cape, any woman can find a style that matches her personality. Easily found with a simple Google or Facebook search and you can review past and present styles. Or you can check out your favorite New York luxury jewelry supplier, Woodrow Jewelers.