Luigi Macaluso (1948–2010), often affectionately known as Gino, was a prominent Italian entrepreneur, architect, and sportsman who left a significant mark on the Swiss watchmaking industry. Born in Turin, Italy, on June 9, 1948, Macaluso’s early career was defined by his success in motorsport. During the 1970s, he was a distinguished rally co-pilot for the Fiat Abarth team, notably winning the European Rally Championship and the Mitropa Cup in 1972, followed by the Italian Rally Championship in 1974.

Macaluso transitioned into the horological world in 1975, joining the Italian subsidiary of SSIH. His architectural background, having graduated from the Polytechnic of Turin, deeply influenced his approach to product design and brand building. In 1982, he founded Tradema, a major distribution company in Italy for brands such as Breitling, Hamilton, and Blancpain. His success as a distributor eventually led him to the manufacturing side of the industry.

In 1992, Macaluso assumed the presidency of the Sowind Group after acquiring a majority stake in the historic manufacture Girard-Perregaux. Under his leadership, the brand was revitalized through a focus on vertical integration and technical innovation. A key part of his strategic vision was the relaunch of the JeanRichard brand in the mid-1990s. Named after Daniel Jeanrichard, a legendary 17th-century pioneer of Swiss watchmaking, the brand was developed as a sister company to Girard-Perregaux, offering contemporary designs and high-value mechanical movements.

Throughout his tenure, Macaluso was recognized for bridging the worlds of luxury watches and automobiles, most notably through a decade-long partnership between Girard-Perregaux and Ferrari. His contributions to the industry were honored in 1998 when he received the Gaia Prize for Entrepreneurship. He also served multiple terms as president of the Association Interprofessionnelle de la Haute Horlogerie (AIHH) and was a founding member of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie.

Luigi Macaluso passed away unexpectedly on October 27, 2010. His legacy continues through the Sowind Group, which later became part of the Kering Group, and through the work of his children, Stefano and Massimo, who joined the family business to maintain his vision of excellence in design and mechanical horology.