RAPAPORT… LVMH has promoted Stéphane Bianchi to CEO of its watches and jewelry division, starting July 1. Since 2018, he has been CEO of watchmaking and of the French luxury group’s TAG Heuer timepiece brand.
Bianchi will oversee high-end jewelers Chaumet and Fred, with those brands’ managing directors reporting to him, and will retain overall responsibility for the TAG Heuer, Hublot and Zenith watch labels. Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of LVMH’s flagship jewelry brand, Bulgari, will continue to report directly to group managing director Toni Belloni.
“Since his arrival at LVMH, Stéphane has given the watchmaking division a new lease of life, strengthening the fundamental principles of each of the brands and exploring promising new avenues,” said Bernard Arnault, chairman and CEO of LVMH. “I am certain that he will continue this great work and that he will apply all of his talents and his determination to the development of the…Chaumet and Fred [maisons].”
Meanwhile, Arnault’s 25-year-old son, Frédéric Arnault, will take over from Bianchi as CEO of TAG Heuer.
Image: Stéphane Bianchi. (Gabriel de la Chapelle/LVMH)
LVMH Watch Chief Takes On Jewelry Portfolio
The Bottom Line
- Stéphane Bianchi will lead LVMH's watches and jewelry division starting July 1, overseeing Chaumet, Fred, TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith.
- Jean-Christophe Babin remains CEO of Bulgari, reporting directly to group managing director Toni Belloni.
- Frédéric Arnault, Bernard Arnault’s son, succeeds Bianchi as CEO of TAG Heuer.
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