Jean-Christophe Babin to Lead LVMH Watches

<img width="1500" height="1000" src="https://ostermanwatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/big_oBLzpZYVYCaIKuWTSpjgpGGVO8J0GXw7UzrykF33-1.webp" alt=""

It is now official: Jean-Christophe Babin has been appointed CEO of LVMH's watch division, effective April 1, 2025. He succeeds Frédéric Arnault, who was recently named CEO of Loro Piana. This strategic move marks a major turning point for the group, which is entrusting the future of its watch brands to one of its most seasoned executives.

Babin, who has led Bulgari since 2013, will retain his role at the helm of the Roman house while taking the reins of LVMH Watches. He will report directly to Stéphane Bianchi. Babin is no stranger to the sector: before joining Bulgari, he led TAG Heuer for twelve years, driving growth and innovation with effects that are still felt today.

His appointment comes amid a period of uncertainty following Frédéric Arnault's departure. LVMH, which saw its watch sales contract in 2024, needed to send a strong signal to the markets and industry observers. That signal is stability, experience, and product expertise. By handing the controls to Babin, the group avoids the gamble of an internal promotion or an uncertain external hire, relying instead on a hands-on leader who understands both the inner workings of the Swiss watch industry and the dynamics of global luxury.

In this new role, Babin will be responsible for steering the development and premiumisation strategies of LVMH's three watchmaking pillars: Hublot, TAG Heuer, and Zenith. His multi-faceted profile as a watchmaker, marketer, and

strategist makes him a logical choice to maintain the momentum built by Frédéric Arnault, while bringing a more classic, heritage-focused depth that some will find more reassuring at this stage of the group's maturity.

However, this decision raises questions: how will Babin balance his responsibilities at Bulgari with his newly expanded role across the entire watch division? What real room for manoeuvre will he have in an organisational chart increasingly defined by the rise of the Arnault heirs?

One thing is certain: the return of a major watchmaking figure to lead LVMH Watches signals a new, more cautious, and less experimental phase. The group is playing the card of expertise and continuity. It is a pragmatic gamble, but one that could well pay off.

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