It is a newly created position based in New York where he will oversee product development including technical innovations
NEW YORK, September 18, 2007 – Aber/Harry Winston today announced Hamdi Chatti has been appointed to Executive Vice President. It is a newly created position based in New York where he will oversee product development including technical innovations, the supply chain, manufacturing and the sorting of diamonds for the company, worldwide. The appointment is effective immediately and Mr. Chatti will report to Thomas J. O'Neill, President of Aber and Chief Executive Officer of Harry Winston.
Mr. Chatti, previously the Managing Director of Harry Winston Rare Timepieces, will now be responsible for the company's global product development and manufacturing of both fine jewelry and timepieces for Harry Winston. Previously, he was involved exclusively in the company's timepiece business. In his new role, he will not only expand into jewelry but also direct all rough diamond sorting from Aber's mining interests in Diavik.
"As our global business grows, Hamdi's unique expertise in horology as well as his experience in all aspects of product management will be instrumental as we support the rising demand for Harry Winston diamond jewelry and rare timepieces," said Mr. O'Neill. "Hamdi has been a key member of our management team since he joined us in 2005 and he is the ideal manager to assume this new role where he will oversee the consistently exquisite quality that is a hallmark of Harry Winston."
Mr. Chatti joined Harry Winston as head of the Rare Timepieces division, based in Geneva, where he was responsible for the company's watch making operations as well as the selective wholesale watch network worldwide. Prior to Harry Winston, he served as Managing Director of Montblanc Timepieces from 2001 to October of 2005. During his time at Montblanc, he successfully implemented the integration of the company's design and technical departments including product development, production, supply chain management, and quality control. Before Montblanc, he was Technical & Quality Director for Piaget where he served as a member of the company's Executive Committee, overseeing the development of the company's technical and quality control operations. Previously, Mr. Chatti held positions at Baume & Mercier as well as Cartier.
Harry Winston Diamond Corporation (NASDAQ: ABER; TSX: ABZ), is scheduled to become the new name of Aber Diamond Corporation in fall 2007. The company is a specialist diamond enterprise with assets in the mining and retail segments of the diamond industry. The company supplies rough diamonds to the global market from its 40% interest in the Diavik Diamond Mine, located at Lac de Gras in Canada's Northwest Territories. The company's retail division, Harry Winston Inc., is a premier jewelry and timepiece retailer with salons in key locations including New York, Paris, London, Beijing, Tokyo and Beverly Hills.
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