Sources in Switzerland are reporting that former Vacheron Constantin CEO Claude-Daniel Proellochs died in his sleep in Neuchâtel this past Sunday evening following a short battle with cancer. Proellochs headed Vacheron from 1988 until his retirement in 2005. Under Proellochs, Vacheron’s annual production increased from 3,500 to more than 15,000 pieces.
Proellochs earned a degree in economics from the University of Neuchâtel. After graduation, he joined Omega in Bienne (Biel) for five years before moving to Eterna in Grenchen, which he headed until the end of 1987.
In November 1988, Vacheron Constantin’s majority shareholder, Sheik Yamani, invited him to to head the company, with a seat on the Board of Directors. Proellochs remained as CEO following Vacheron’s acquisition by the Vendôme Luxury Group in 1996, and Richemont’s buy-out of Vendôme two years later.
In 2005, Proellochs oversaw Vacheron’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Proellochs retired effective October 1, 2005 and was succeeded by current CEO Juan-Carlos Torres, who previously served as Vacheron’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
