PodcastsJan 12, 2026
The latest poscasttest
TrendsMar 01, 2019
Charriol Founder Philippe Charriol Killed in Race Car Accident
He is remembered as a man who “operated at full speed every day” in both business and his personal life.
Philippe Charriol, founder of Swiss watch, jewelry and accessories company Charriol, died in a race car accident earlier this week at a track in the south of France. (Photo courtesy of Charriol)
Marseille, France—Philippe Charriol, the French-born founder of Swiss luxury goods brand Charriol, was killed in a race car accident Tuesday at a track in the south of France, his company announced Thursday.
A known racing enthusiast, Charriol was driving his car on the Circuit Paul Ricard, the same track that hosted the French Grand Prix Formula 1 race last year, when he got into an accident on the Mistral straight, a course spokeswoman told the AFP. He was rushed to the hospital in Marseille, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Born in 1942 and raised in Marseille, Charriol spent 15 years at Cartier as a general manager and brand president for the Asian market before branching out on his own in 1983.
He started Charriol in Geneva as a multi-product brand that made Swiss watches, jewelry, accessories, perfume and, eventually, clothing and even Charriol-branded Bordeaux.
He focused his efforts on the Far East at a time when, according to the company statement, “the nexus of Swiss watchmakers was the Place Vendôme in Paris,” establishing itself in the Asian markets ahead of other European brands.
In 2011, Charriol held an event inside Beijing’s Forbidden City for 500 celebrities and dignitaries, one of only three luxury brands ever allowed to do so, the company said.
Today, Charriol remains an independent, family-run business and has 285 boutiques and more than 3,000 other points of sale worldwide. 
In both his personal and professional life, Charriol “operated at full speed every day,” running his company as well as pursuing personal passions and interests, like motorsports—he drove at an “almost professional” level for the past 25 years—architecture and the arts. He started an art foundation in Hong Kong that has been providing scholarships to young artists for the past 20 years.
“Philippe Charriol, with his incredible lust for life and audacious spirit, embodied ‘l’art de vivre la difference,’ a fitting signature for an exuberant founder. His many accomplishments and the success of his brand are a testament to the destiny that can be achieved by following one’s heart,” the company said.
On Friday, Charriol had tributes to its late founder posted on its website and had added a black ribbon to the logo on its Facebook page and Twitter account.
Charriol
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
is survived by his wife, Marie-Olga Charriol, the company public relations director, and three children: Coralie, Charriol’s creative director; Alexandre, the visual director; and Laetitia.
He will be laid to rest next week in a family funeral service in Marseille, and his life will be celebrated in a more public memorial service scheduled to take place at the end of March in Paris.
He will be laid to rest next week in a family funeral service in Marseille, and his life will be celebrated in a more public memorial service scheduled to take place at the end of March in Paris.
More on Trends
The Latest
PodcastsJan 12, 2026
Introducing My Next Question, the PodcastA monthly podcast series for jewelry professionals
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
PodcastsNov 27, 2025
Test Podcast With VideoTest Podcast With Video. New interview with Ada Lovelace.
PodcastsNov 25, 2025
Test New Podcast PostAbstract for tests. New Podcast interview with John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morison.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
