Erwan Kerneur is a French entrepreneur and co-founder of the independent watchmaking house Akrone. Born in the Morbihan region of Brittany, Kerneur’s professional background is characterized by international experience and academic studies in business and management. Before entering the horological industry, he lived in Asia, where he learned Chinese, and studied in England. Upon returning to France, he initially worked in the mass distribution sector before pursuing his interest in watchmaking.

In 2015, Kerneur co-founded Akrone in Nantes alongside Jean-François Kerboul. The brand was established with the objective of creating French-designed mechanical watches that offered high technical specifications at accessible price points. The venture began with a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for their debut model, the K-01, which established a community-driven model for the brand’s development. Under Kerneur’s leadership, Akrone has emphasized transparency, local assembly, and the preservation of French watchmaking expertise.

Kerneur has been instrumental in steering Akrone toward technical credibility through strategic partnerships and professional collaborations. In 2016, the brand gained recognition when an Akrone watch was worn by Frédéric Swierczynski during a record-breaking cave dive of 267 meters. From 2017, Kerneur shifted the company’s focus toward producing specialized timepieces for elite military and aeronautic units, including the GIGN and the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT). These professional projects often serve as the foundation for the brand’s civilian collections.

Throughout his tenure, Kerneur has remained committed to the “industrial coherence” of French manufacturing. This is evidenced by Akrone’s integration of movements from France Ébauches and the maintenance of an in-house watchmaking workshop in Nantes for assembly, adjustment, and after-sales service. In addition to his role at Akrone, Kerneur has shared his insights on entrepreneurship and the evolution of timekeeping through public platforms, including a TEDx talk. His work continues to focus on blending traditional watchmaking values with modern, functional tool-watch design.