Michel Pitteloud was born in Montreux in 1945 and studied business at the University of Cologne and law at the University of Lausanne. He went to work for the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, where he was put in charge of relations with Eastern Europe and subsequently with the whole of Europe. In 1975 he became CEO of the Swiss branch of Fairchild Camera & Instruments Corp., and in 1978 he was given the same position at Microma, part of Ebauches SA (now Swatch Group). In 1980 he moved to Golay Buchel, where he learned about the diamond market and became a qualified gemologist.
Over the following years he worked with various watch brands: Bulgari (1981-1989), CEO of Bulgari Time Switzerland and board member; Harry Winston (1989-1999), CEO of Harry Winston Ultimate Timepiece Collection and of Harry Winston S.A. (Geneva); and Corum (1999-2003), General Manager of Montres Corum SA and board member. In 2003 Michel Pitteloud set himself up as an independent consultant, which led to the creation of GLW SA (Graff Luxury Watches), of which he has been CEO since 2008.
