Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Named CEO Of LVMH Watches

Fortifying management through internal restructuring, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has appointed Jean-Christophe Babin as CEO of LVMH Watches, effective April 1, 2025. Babin will oversee Hublot, Zenith and Tag Heuer and also maintain his current responsibilities as CEO of Bvlgari.

Jean-Christophe Babin will succeed LVMH scion Frédéric Arnault, who was recently appointed CEO of Loro Piana. As CEO of LVMH Watches, Babin will report to LVMH Group Managing Director Stéphane Bianchi.

“I’m deeply honoured to have been appointed CEO of LVMH Watches on top of Bvlgari CEO responsibility,” Jean-Christophe Babin posted on his LinkedIn profile. “Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith are three Swiss legends any watch lover and collector dreams to possess especially after Frederic Arnault’s remarkable impact on the Division from Brands desirability and innovations to industrial synergies rather than high profile visibility such as TAG Heuer come back as Formula 1 Watch and Timekeeper.”

The French group’s watch division was created in January 2024. In his new position, Jean-Christophe Babin will continue the work initiated by Frédéric Arnault, building and orchestrating the development and elevation strategies of the Hublot, TAG Heuer, and Zenith Maisons. Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot; Antoine Pin, CEO of TAG Heuer; and Benoit de Clerck, CEO of Zenith, will report to him. Watchmaking is familiar to Babin, who joined LVMH in 2000 as CEO of Tag Heuer, a position he held for twelve years, before moving to Bulgari.

“Under the leadership of Frédéric Arnault, the Watches Division has undertaken a significant transformation, including the implementation of operational synergies between the Group’s watchmaking Maisons, and substantial work on the positioning and challenges of each of them,” said Stéphane Bianchi in a company statement. “I thank Frédéric and am pleased to see this dynamic continue with the appointment of Jean-Christophe, who will leverage his entrepreneurial spirit, energy, and exceptional leadership qualities to serve the sustainable and ambitious growth of the Division.”

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Jean-Christophe Babin

A graduate of HEC Paris, Jean-Christophe Babin began his career in 1983 in sales and marketing roles successively at Procter and Gamble in France, then Benckiser and Henkel in Italy. In 2000, he joined LVMH as CEO of TAG Heuer. He then took over the management of Bvlgari in 2013, where he implemented an ambitious transformation and modernisation plan. In 2024 ‘Bvlgari achieved record-breaking revenue in high jewellery and luxury watches as well as market share gains. The Maison celebrated its 140th anniversary with a new brand campaign titled ‘Eternally Reborn’,’ per a company report. 

LVMH fortifies management in 2025

Last month LVMH named Damien Bertrand as Deputy CEO of Louis Vuitton, Pierre-Emmanuel Angeloglou as Deputy CEO of Christian Dior Couture, and Frédéric Arnault as CEO of Loro Piana. The French luxury group  also named Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez as Loewe’s creative directors.

The appointments underscore how the French luxury giant largely prefers to groom and promote talent from within, and is in the process of helming its marquee brands with young, accomplished executives. “The desirability of our Houses is fueled by dedicated and passionate leaders. Damien, Frédéric and Pierre-Emmanuel, their vision, their entrepreneurial spirit, their creativity and their commitment to excellence will be the assets to pursue the dynamic development of our Houses,” said Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, in a company release.

Per The Chairman’s Message in the company report: “A number of our Maisons and Group central functions have passed on the torch to a new generation. They have handed down their experience, and an influx of fresh energy is now at work, which is a vital step. More important than anything else, though, is the entrepreneurial family spirit running through LVMH’s identity, culture and independence of mind, which continues to be the source of the Group’s greatest strength amid the prevailing uncertainties, along with its long-term vision: the strength to confidently and consistently follow the path of the highest quality, creativity, commitment and excellence in all we do.”