Frédéric Arnault appointed CEO of LVMH Watches

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has named Frédéric Arnault as Chief Executive Officer of LVMH Watches, to drive the watchmaking category.

The 29-year-old, who is the fourth child of LVMH’s Bernard Arnault, will step into the newly created role on 8 January. As the CEO of LVMH Watches, Arnault will helm the Hublot, Tag Heuer and Zenith brands.

The luxury giant entered the world of watchmaking in 1999 when it acquired TAG Heuer and Zenith. Although Arnault was just five years old at the time, it's as if the job was made for him.

According to WWD, his previous role as CEO of Tag Heuer has been passed to Julien Tornare, who has been CEO of Zenith since 2017. The news was revealed as part of a management reshuffle of its watches and jewellery division.

Julien Tornare and Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, will report to Arnault, who will answer to LVMH Watches & Jewellery Division CEO, Stéphane Bianchi.

Stéphane Bianchi commented: "I am extremely pleased to have Frédéric [Arnault] join me now within the LVMH watches and jewellery division to oversee our three watches maisons, and eager to see what his unique insights and vision will bring to fuel additional and sustainable growth for them."

While LVMH does not break out figures for its brands, it is understood that Tag Heuer’s turnover reached around €780 million in 2022 and grew by 50% between 2020 and 2023.

Though his time at Tag Heuer saw a transformative period in sales and brand equity, Arnault’s appointment comes as the watch industry braces itself for a challenging retail climate in 2024.