Swiss Watchmakers Sound Upbeat on US as Long as Stocks Last
A surge in exports in July should shield Swiss watch brands from the full impact of a new 39 percent U.S. tariff
Watches
Audemars Piguet Names Ilaria Resta as New CEO
The world’s second-biggest independent watch brand has named a veteran perfume and consumer-goods executive to lead its next chapter.
Higher Values, Lower Volumes: The New Shape of the Watch Sector
In luxury watches, revenues are up but volumes are down, creating new winners, losers, opportunities and threats, writes Robin Swithinbank.
How Audemars Piguet Became Swiss Watchmaking’s Hottest Brand
The brand known for $50,000 Royal Oak watches transformed itself into a megabrand with more than $2.2 billion in annual sales by taking control of its distribution and forging culturally relevant partnerships. Outgoing CEO François-Henry Bennahmias breaks down the strategy.
THE NEWS IN BRIEF
Jean-Christophe Babin Named CEO of LVMH Watches
LVMH has appointed Jean-Christophe Babin to the helm of LVMH Watches, succeeding LVMH-scion Frédéric Arnault, the group announced in a statement on Friday. The role oversees LVMH’s watch brands TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith. Babin will maintain his position as CEO of Bulgari.
Rolex Fined $100 Million for Thwarting Online Watch Sales
Rolex was fined about $100 million by France’s antitrust agency for pursuing an illegal decade-long crackdown on distributors selling the Swiss firm’s luxury watches online.