Stéphane Cheikh is a Swiss-based entrepreneur and executive best known for his role in the modern revival of the historic Dennison watch brand. With a professional background rooted in management and technology, Cheikh previously specialized in overseeing artificial intelligence projects. His transition into the horological industry was driven by a desire to pivot from corporate management toward independent entrepreneurship and the creation of a tangible luxury product.
In 2024, Cheikh co-founded the revived Dennison watch brand alongside Toby Sutton, the founder of Watches of Knightsbridge. While the original Dennison Watch Case Company was a prolific British manufacturer that supplied cases to prestigious houses such as Rolex and Omega before closing in 1967, Cheikh and Sutton reimagined the name as a contemporary watch brand. Serving as the company’s CEO and director, Cheikh was instrumental in forming the core team that would define the brand’s new identity, including the recruitment of acclaimed watch designer Emmanuel Gueit.
Under Cheikh’s leadership, the brand launched the A.L.D. Collection, which draws inspiration from 1960s and 1970s “shaped” watch aesthetics and features semi-precious stone dials. Cheikh’s strategic approach focused on combining high-end design heritage with accessible pricing, utilizing Swiss Ronda quartz movements and manufacturing processes that balance quality with affordability. This strategy proved successful, as the brand gained immediate traction among enthusiasts and collectors, culminating in Dennison winning the Challenge Prize at the 2024 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG).
Cheikh has also been a key figure in expanding the brand’s international profile through strategic partnerships. One notable collaboration occurred in 2025 with John Reardon’s Collectability, a leading authority on vintage Patek Philippe. This partnership resulted in a limited-edition timepiece that blended Dennison’s case architecture with design cues from archival high-horology models. Through his work, Stéphane Cheikh has established himself as a significant figure in the “micro-independent” watch scene, successfully bridging the gap between historic British manufacturing legacy and modern Swiss watchmaking business models.