Gedalio “Gerry” Grinberg (1931–2009) was a Cuban-born entrepreneur and a transformative figure in the American luxury watch industry. As the founder of the North American Watch Corporation, which later became the Movado Group, Grinberg is widely credited with pioneering the marketing of watches as high-status fashion accessories in the United States.
Born on September 26, 1931, in Quivicán, Cuba, Grinberg entered the watch business early, selling his first alarm clock at age 15 through his father’s jewelry shop. He attended the University of Havana and established a successful watch business in Cuba. However, following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, he was targeted by the Fidel Castro-led government. In August 1960, Grinberg fled to Miami with his family, eventually relocating to New York City to seek new opportunities in the horological trade.
In 1961, Grinberg co-founded the Piaget Watch Company in New York, serving as the exclusive distributor for Piaget and Corum in the Americas. His company evolved into the North American Watch Corporation in 1965. Grinberg recognized a shift in American consumer behavior, realizing that watches could be marketed as prestige symbols similar to luxury automobiles. This insight led to a significant change in how fine timepieces were sold and perceived in the American market.
Grinberg’s most significant contribution to the industry was his acquisition of the Movado brand in 1983. At the time, the Swiss manufacturer was facing financial difficulties. Under his leadership, Movado was revitalized, largely through the promotion of the “Museum Watch.” This minimalist design, featuring a single gold dot at 12 o’clock, became a global icon and a cornerstone of the brand’s success. In 1996, the North American Watch Corporation was renamed the Movado Group, reflecting the brand’s central role in his portfolio.
Beyond his business achievements, Grinberg was a prominent patron of the arts and a philanthropist. He established partnerships between Movado and cultural institutions such as the Lincoln Center, the American Ballet Theatre, and the Museum of Modern Art. In 1999, he donated an 18-foot clock tower designed by architect Philip Johnson to Lincoln Center’s Dante Park. His “Artists’ Series” watches involved collaborations with renowned figures like Andy Warhol and James Rosenquist.
Gedalio Grinberg died on January 4, 2009, at the age of 77. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including the first Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jewelry Information Center in 2003. His legacy continues through the Movado Group, which remains a leader in the global watch industry under the leadership of his family.