Swatch Group's Nayla Hayek to head Harry Winston

ZURICH - Swatch Group, the world's leading watchmaker, said on Friday its chairwoman Nayla Hayek would move into the top position at jeweller Harry Winston which it has acquired.

"The nomination will enter into effect immediately," Swatch Group said in a statement, pointing out that Hayek had already been handed the chairmanship of Harry Winston.

The Swiss company bought the company -- one of the world's most prestigious diamond dealers -- in March for $1.0 billion (767 million euros) to expand its luxury offerings and take a first step into high-end jewelry.

"Diamonds are still a girl's best friend," Hayek said of the deal when it was first announced in January, referring to the famous Marilyn Monroe song, which mentions Harry Winston, from the 1953 musical film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".

While Swatch's low-end plastic watches are perhaps its most recognisable, the Swiss company operates in every price range, from the Flik Flak kid's watches to prestigious timepieces under for instance the Breguet brand which can cost more than one million Swiss francs a piece.

Swatch's purchase of Harry Winston came after it ended a partnership with luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co in September 2011.