The luxury world is abuzz with the news of Frédéric Arnault’s appointment as the CEO of LVMH’s Watch Division. As the son of Bernard Arnault, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, Frédéric steps into a role that commands influence in the highest echelons of the luxury market.
TLDR; Frédéric Arnault moves from his position as CEO at TAG Heuer to the top job at LVMH’s Watch Division, Julien Tornare moves from Zenith to TAG Heuer as the new CEO, and Benoit De Clerck moves in from Panerai and takes the CEO position at Zenith Watches.
LVMH stands as a titan in the luxury industry, boasting a diverse portfolio of over 70 prestigious brands. The group, founded in 1987 through the merger of Louis Vuitton with Moët Hennessy, has since seen extraordinary growth and diversification. Its Watch Division includes brands like TAG Heuer, Zenith, and Hublot. Each brand in the LVMH portfolio brings its unique heritage and design ethos.
Frédéric Arnault‘s journey is one of rapid ascent. A graduate of the prestigious École Polytechnique in France, he has honed his skills in various domains, including a stint at the global consulting firm McKinsey and involvement in Facebook’s AI research. His tenure at TAG Heuer, beginning in 2017, witnessed a blend of respect for traditional watchmaking and a keen eye for innovation, setting the stage for his current role.
With Frédéric Arnault stepping up to oversee the broader Watch Division, Julien Tornare takes over the reins at TAG Heuer. Tornare, who has been the CEO of Zenith since 2017, brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the luxury watch market. His track record at Zenith, characterized by a focus on innovation while respecting the brand’s heritage, suggests a promising future for TAG Heuer under his leadership. For anyone interested in getting to know Mr Tornare in more detail, I highly recommend watching this episode of Watch Affairs with Julien Tornare as CEO at Zenith Watches (and yes, I may be biased).
Finally, taking over the top job at Zenith from Mr Tornare is Benoit de Clerck. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, Mr de Clerck has honed his expertise in the intricate world of luxury timepieces, most notably with his tenure at Richemont, a key competitor of LVMH, particularly in his recent role as the Chief Commercial Officer of the watch brand Panerai.
This all comes at a time when the luxury watch industry is grappling with shifts in technology, demand and consumer behavior. How Frédéric Arnault will navigate these challenges will be interesting to watch (no pun intended).
Julien Tornare Ascends as CEO of TAG Heuer with Benoit de Clerck Taking Over at Zenith