We’re back with another edition of The Sunday Horophile Times, our weekly summary of top watch industry news and a list of recommended reading on other blogs. With so much going on in the watch industry since Baelworld, let’s not waste any time and get right into it.
NEWS:
New CEO at Zenith
The month of April following Baselworld held arguably one of the biggest announcements within the industry thus far in 2014, and that was that Jean-Frédéric Dufour, who had been the CEO of Zentih since 2009, would leave the brand and LVMH group to take the helm at Rolex.
His replacement has finally been announced, and that’s Aldo Magada, Breitling’s International Sales & Business Development Director since 2010.
With 30 years of experience in the watch industry and having worked alongside Jean-Claude Biver (President of LVMH’s Watches Division) at Omega as Product Director and Marketing Director between 1994 and 1998, it looks like Aldo Madaga should have no problem at all assuming his new role at Zenith.
Aldo Madaga will officially start his new role as CEO of Zenith on the 1st of July. We wish him all the best!
Kering Reorganization and New Watch & Jewellery CEO
More industry reshuffling this week, this time within the Kering group. More than just CEO changes, Kering has reorganized its brands into distinct divisions.
The “Luxury – Watches and Jewelry” division, housing the brands Boucheron, Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, Pomellato, Dodo and Qeelin, will be managed by Albert Bensoussan, a former LVMH executive, who will take on the role of CEO of the Luxury Watches and Jewelry division.
The “Luxury – Couture & Leather Goods” division, which will be made up of Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Brioni, Christopher Kane, McQ, Stella McCartney, Tomas Maier and Sergio Rossi, will be led by Marco Bizzari, former president and CEO of Bottega Veneta.
Richemont and EPFL to Collaborate in Multi-scale Manufacturing Technologies
Today more than ever, the Swiss watch industry relies on state-of-the-art technology and machining processes as much as the traditional skills involved in watchmaking. So it comes as no surprise that Richemont and EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) announced the creation of an academic chair in “Multi-scale Manufacturing Technologies.”, where a future professor will work at EPFL’s Neuchâtel Microcity Campus, home to its Institute of Microengineering.
This collaboration will focus on machining processes using emerging technologies such as laser machining, 3D printing and plasma etching.
“The creation of this new chair with Richemont is totally in line with our overall strategy for the region. This collaboration will allow us to develop new technologies and stimulate innovation for a key economic sector in Neuchâtel”. EPFL President Patrick Aebischer
“We are faced with a demanding and sophisticated client base, increasing competition and continuous technological progress. Innovation is a necessity for a major global company like Richemont. says Co-CEO of Richemont, Richard Lepeu. These new technologies open a wide range of technical possibilities to respond to future industrial requirements”. – Richemont Co-CEO Richard Lepeu
TAG Heuer Signs Football Sensation Cristiano Ronaldo as a Brand Ambassador
In its ever-expanding roster of brand ambassadors including actors Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio, WTA tennis champion Maria Sharapova, Formula One World Champion Jenson Button, World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier and the entire crew of 2013 America’s Cup winner Oracle Team USA, TAG Heuer has announced the signing of football sensation Cristiano Ronaldo as its latest brand ambassador. Internationally recognized as Real Madrid’s forward and the Captain of the Portugal team for the coming World Cup in Brazil in less than two months, TAG Heuer could not have picked a better time announce the news.
Patek Philippe Celebrate 175th Anniversary
On the 1st of May, Patek Philippe officially celebrated the 175th anniversary of the brand. The last major watch brand from Geneva that remains a family-owned business. Patek Philippe has enjoyed an uninterrupted history since its creation in the same date in 1839.
With a new booth for Baselworld that saw the release of the all-new Nautilus 5990, not to mention an Anniversary collection rumored to be launched later in the year, 2014 is proving to be a very interesting year for Patek Philippe. In the meantime, you can check out Patek Philippe’s illustrious on their website’s timeline:http://www.patek.com/contents/default/en/timeline.html
Recommended Reading
Okay so not exactly a blog post, the first item on this week’s recommended reading list is in fact the redesigned website of Marcus Watches. One of the most important independent watch boutiques in London- and perhaps even the world, the new Marcus website is a great way to discover the boutique’s unique selection of watches, including this Urwerk UR-CC1 made as a unique piece for the store. www.marcuswatches.com
David Bredan of A Blog To Watch shares an insightful look into the history of dive watches. http://www.ablogtowatch.com/brief-history-waterproof-watches/
Simon Cudd shares a first look at our tour of the various Richard Mille production and assembly sites. http://www.0024watchworld.com/visiting-richard-mille/
The gents at Monochrome Watches gives us the scoop on not one, not two, not three, but four (!) German Luftwaffe pilot’s watches going up on auction in the coming days. http://monochrome-watches.com/four-german-luftwaffe-pilot-watches-one-of-which-a-german-p-o-w-tried-to-hide-in-his-pants-go-on-auction/
And that’s all for this week folks.
