Chrono24 Appoints José Gaztelu as New CEO Amid Market Rebound

Leadership Transition at Online Watch Marketplace

Online luxury watch marketplace Chrono24 has officially appointed José Gaztelu as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Gaztelu, who has been at the helm of the company on an interim basis since September 2025, officially steps into the permanent role. He initially joined Chrono24 in July 2025 as Chief Growth Officer.

The appointment marks a formalization of Gaztelu’s leadership, following the departure of former CEO Carsten Keller. Tobias Hartmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors, expressed confidence in Gaztelu’s abilities, stating, “José has demonstrated exceptional leadership since joining Chrono24. He immersed himself in the business with remarkable speed and moved quickly from understanding the company to shaping its direction. This appointment formalizes what has already been working.”

Gaztelu’s Vision and Experience

Gaztelu brings over 15 years of international experience in scaling digital platforms to his new role. Before joining Chrono24, he was part of the executive leadership team at Nextdoor, where he oversaw market operations and corporate strategy across the U.S. and international markets. His previous roles include senior positions at digital platforms such as Domestika, Houzz, and Zalora, and he began his career as an analyst at McKinsey & Company.

In his new capacity as CEO, Gaztelu emphasized Chrono24’s unique position in the luxury watch market, highlighting its extensive selection, deep expertise, and passionate global community. He stated, “I am honored by the trust the Board has placed in me. Together with an outstanding team, we will continue to strengthen Chrono24 as the destination for luxury watches, deepen trust for buyers and sellers, and unlock the significant growth potential ahead of us, particularly in the U.S.”

Strategic Direction and Market Context

Chrono24 confirmed that its strategic direction remains unchanged. A key focus area for the company has been the expansion of its U.S. business, an initiative Gaztelu has been instrumental in accelerating. His appointment is seen as a clear signal for the next phase of growth.

The leadership change occurs as the secondary watch market shows signs of a significant rebound, with prices reaching their highest levels in over three years. Chrono24, known for facilitating sales of luxury timepieces including Rolex, counts notable investors such as footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and the family investment vehicle of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault.

Keller, the previous CEO, expressed his full support for Gaztelu's appointment in a LinkedIn post, writing, “With today’s appointment of José Gaztelu as CEO, the company enters its next phase. José is an exceptional leader - and having worked closely with him, I could not be more proud to see him take the helm. I am confident he and his team will drive Chrono24’s next phase of accelerated profitable growth.”