The appointment comes as a surprise after Swiss media speculation that Nayla’s brother Nick would be given the job.
Hayek, aged 59, was promoted to vice-president of Swatch Group in May 2010 and has been on the board since 1995.
Swatch founder Nicolas Hayek, widely considered to be the saviour of the Swiss watchmaking industry, died on Monday while at work, aged 82.
Swatch is to hold a public commemorative ceremony for the colourful entrepreneur on Saturday July 3 in Bern, Switzerland.
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