Groupe LVMH
LVMH, this global luxury conglomerate may be named for fashion (Louis Vuitton), champagne (Moët), and spirits (Hennessy), but its growing portfolio of respected watch brands makes it one of the most important players in the industry. Created in 1987 through the merger of Moët Hennessy and Louis Vuitton, and led by Bernard Arnault since 1989, LVMH helped to usher in the current era of global luxury brands. These days LVMH is probably most recognized for helping to supercharge TAG Heuer's brand identity through bold redesigns, partnerships with Formula 1 and Porsche, and high-profile ambassadors including Ryan Gosling and Max Verstappen. Before that, however, the group helped to turn Hublot from a relatively minor player in Swiss watchmaking to one of the most popular watch brands in the world. And that's to say nothing of Louis Vuitton, which has in recent years, through massive investment in its watchmaking infrastructure, become an increasingly relevant player in the high-end watch market.
Brands summary:
LVMH oversees a diverse portfolio of watch brands representing some of the most iconic models and respected movement-makers in the game. Among these is TAG Heuer, whose archive of highly collectible models includes the Monaco, Carrera, and Autavia.
Hublot, meanwhile, continues to explore its "Art of Fusion" philosophy through industry-first creations like the colourful "Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral" (SAXEM) used for its Big Bang Tourbillons, and limited-editions in ceramic and carbon. There's also Zenith, makers of the famous El Primero chronograph, Bulgari, whose Octo Finissimo timepieces have broken several records for thinness, and Chaumet, the former jeweler to Napoleon's court. The recent acquisition and reanimation of shuttered indie watch brand Daniel Roth demonstrates LVMH's continued ambitions for expansion and diversification.
